My boyfriend's back.....

The illustrious powers that be decided to denude all the green spaces around us along the passeggiata.  As a result, besides taking away beautiful trees and leaves and homes for birds, they created a lot of dust and debris from leaves and dirt and whatever else was stirred up out there.  Even I was having trouble breathing in the early morning hours.

On top of that, it is autumn and there is pollen in the air.  And, the construction down below us...for drainage and a parking lot (we think) continues, also creating dust. 

So, it was no big surprise that Scruffy, after being amazingly good for ages, started to cough (he has asthma.)  At first, it was a cough here and a cough there and he was alright.  Then they escalated a bit, so I increased his prednisone, hoping that would be enough.  It was not.

Starting the day before yesterday, he was REALLY having trouble.  He wasn't playing anymore.  He stayed by himself a lot.  So, out came the inhaler.

He used to run away from it, but he FINALLY realized somehow that this thing could help him.  I have the mask to use with it, but Scruff will never, never ever, let that be used on him!  So, we just get as close as possible to him before we release a puff.  He's gotten to the point where he actually leans into it.

We were, unfortunately, busy yesterday and had to take a trip to Pescara.  I was sick with worry.  And, rightfully so, because when we got home, Scruffy was in bad shape.  There is only so much inhaler you can use.  We were scared.

Even Missy Tee was scared and made sure to stick close to him and she tried to comfort him.

Instead of being on our bed, as usual, he slept on a chair in the kitchen.  I woke up at one point to check on him.  I resisted the urge to pet him and let him sleep as I could see he was still struggling with each breath.

This morning he was sometimes "mouth breathing." It's a very bad sign.  We contacted the vet and he said to double his prednisone, which would be fine except at this point, he was not eating.  However, we noticed the inhaler was pretty much empty.  So my husband went to the pharmacy as soon as they opened and got a new one.

Well, hallelujah!!! One puff and within minutes Scruff was grooming himself.  Then he got affectionate (About TIME you got something to help me!!!)  And then, he had a bit to eat.  YAY!!!  

He improved so much, he begged for his "mousie."  I watched carefully to make sure he didn't overdo or have any coughs.  He played with his beloved mousie for nearly an hour!

                                                           ^^ mousie   

Then he spent some time in the sunny front window.  

We can give him another shot of the inhaler this evening.  

Although it is still hot (this is supposed to change on Monday) we have closed all the windows and we always have an air purifier going.  I turned it up to a higher level.

I was absolutely sick with worry, and I am still hovering, but I feel somewhat better now.

My sweet Scruffy with his beautiful aqua eyes.  Feel better little buddy, I love you.