Jack Patterns—August Vet Visit & Beyond

Jack on Friday before his vet appointment visit after not eating more than tiny amounts for three days & appearing slightly wobbly. 

This is the continuation of Jack’s log 

Friday, August 21, 2026 — Veterinary Visit and First Return to Eating

~8:00–11:00 AM: Jack was alert, happy, and energetic on waking. He explored the backyard more extensively than recently and urinated normally with his hind leg raised. He voluntarily drank from several water locations; some drinking was unquantified. Morning food intake was minimal/absent, consistent with his longstanding late-day eating pattern, but overall intake had been markedly reduced during the preceding two days.

Morning/early afternoon: Some hind-leg unsteadiness was observed, particularly during scratching and on uneven or sloped surfaces. He otherwise moved normally. He rested for several hours in his dog bed and remained behaviorally engaged.

2:35 PM — Veterinary visit: Arrived in green carry bag and remained exceptionally calm despite barking/lunging dogs. Weight: 4.2 lb. No obvious dehydration detected. Gums could not be assessed because of his known aggression during phobic episodes. Bloodwork was drawn before treatment. Received Lactated Ringer’s subcutaneous fluids and Convenia cefovecin injection. Entyce was prescribed but was not administered Friday.

Post-vet: Drank >45 laps of ice water in the car. Appetite interest returned before any Entyce administration.

Post-vet food: Voluntarily ate approximately 17–20 pieces of k/d kibble, followed by approximately 5–7 additional pieces. Later voluntarily ate additional kibble from the remaining serving; that portion was not counted. He also voluntarily ate approximately ½–⅔ of a moderately thick beef-stew slurry, including approximately 1 teaspoon of actual stew meat plus broth.

Evening: Wanted to go outside and appeared happy and engaged. Evening walking and sniffing were substantially better than earlier concerns suggested. He urinated normally with his hind leg raised. A bowel movement was observed; stool appeared possibly somewhat softer than usual.

~7:30 PM: During the evening outing, Jack remained in his dog bed in the vehicle while the owner briefly obtained water. He climbed onto the console and eagerly leaned toward the water, then fell onto his padded dog blanket. He stabilized immediately and was not injured.

Water: Approximately 59 laps total from the cup — about 40 before the fall and 19 afterward.

Later evening/bedtime: Continued voluntary food interest. During the bedtime cookie hunt he actively searched his blanket-covered bed and consumed 14 pieces of k/d kibble, ½ petite Greenie, 1 kidney treat, and 2 large fruit-treat pieces/crumbs. He remained alert and behaviorally engaged and settled comfortably for the night.

Known/confirmed kibble: Approximately 36–41+ pieces, including the post-vet servings and 14 pieces during the bedtime hunt, plus an uncounted amount from the remaining serving. Exact total could not be determined.

Overall: Friday was a significant improvement from the preceding two days of very low intake. Jack voluntarily resumed eating and drinking after the veterinary visit, remained engaged and happy, and showed improved mobility and normal urination. Entyce had not been administered.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 — Major Return to Normal Eating Pattern

~8:00 AM: Jack woke earlier than usual after the owner had approximately four hours of sleep. He was alert, happy, energetic, and had plenty of energy. He ran downstairs without difficulty and went directly to the small bathroom water bowl.

He explored the backyard more extensively than recently and urinated twice a few minutes apart in different locations, lifting his hind leg normally both times.

Morning hydration: Voluntarily drank at several locations within approximately 10–15 minutes. Two drinks were unquantified; approximately 17 laps were observed from fresh water. He later drank approximately 25 laps from the larger bowl at the restored old feeding station. The restored feeding-station bowl increasingly appeared to be his preferred water location.

Morning food: Morning slurry was offered at approximately 8:00 AM and remained untouched after two hours; it was refrigerated for later use. Approximately 40 pieces of k/d kibble were placed at the restored old feeding location. Jack investigated and sniffed the bowl but did not initially eat them.

Jack then settled in his dog bed and slept for approximately 3½ hours, remaining there for much of the day.

Afternoon outing: Jack explored farther into the yard than recently, urinated normally, and climbed the steep back hill to poop. He had some difficulty maintaining his position while pooping on the steep/sloped surface, but successfully completed the bowel movement and returned down the hill. He also had one brief wobble/correction on the uneven, partially overgrown stepping-stone path, recovering immediately while keeping his head and back level.

A separate observation was made of his left front leg, the same leg that had sustained a severe soft-tissue injury approximately nine years earlier and had been re-injured approximately two years ago. The owner noticed possible localized weakness in that leg. This remains an observation rather than an established cause of the balance issues.

~6:00 PM: Jack left his bed, went to the owner’s usual sitting location, flopped down, and performed his familiar leg kicks and rolls.

~6:30 PM: Returned to his dog bed, alert and watching household activity. He had not yet begun his usual strong signaling for his evening walk.

~7:00–7:30 PM: During the evening outing, Jack remained strongly interested in scents and his surroundings. He urinated normally with his hind leg raised. He had a bowel movement that was not directly located/identified afterward. A brief wobble occurred while attempting to poop on level ground. This was noted separately from the earlier difficulty associated with the steep slope.

~7:30 PM — Chick-fil-A stop: Jack remained in his dog bed in the vehicle while the owner was away approximately 1–2 minutes obtaining water. He was fine on return and had climbed onto the console. He eagerly leaned toward the water, then fell onto his padded dog blanket and stabilized without injury.

Water: Approximately 59 laps total from the cup — about 40 before the fall and approximately 19 afterward. He also had additional unquantified drinking earlier in the day.

~9:00 PM — Entyce administration attempt: The owner attempted to administer the prescribed Entyce appetite stimulant but did not realize the syringe still had its cap attached. The liquid sprayed in multiple directions. Some reached Jack’s mouth and some landed on the owner’s hand and elsewhere in the room. The amount Jack actually received was unknown; a full dose was not delivered.

Shortly afterward: Jack became highly active and happy, making his bed vigorously and showing strong behavioral engagement.

~9:00 PM onward — major voluntary food return: At approximately his longstanding normal late-night kibble-eating time, Jack independently began eating.

• 40 pieces of k/d kibble — approximately his old “mini handful.”
• Returned for 15 more.
• Later ate 21 of 25 pieces, leaving four.
• Returned and ate the remaining 4.
• 80 pieces confirmed.
• He then voluntarily went to his slurry bowl and ate the entire slurry, consuming it enthusiastically.
• He drank small amounts of water between portions.
• A later moderately small handful was offered; approximately 15 additional pieces were estimated eaten. The remaining kibble was removed and returned to the container because the owner had intended to offer only approximately 15–20 pieces and did not want him to overeat after several days of poor intake.

Estimated Saturday kibble total: ~95 pieces \(80 confirmed \+ \~15 estimated\), plus the entire slurry and treats.

Jack repeatedly returned to food voluntarily. No sustained coaxing or repeated food-switching was required.

Bedtime: Jack began signaling for bedtime before 10 PM by standing in his familiar old bedtime location and giving his characteristic look. He later moved to the loveseat and happily made his bed there. During the bedtime routine he consumed ½ petite Greenie and additional kibble/treats.

Overall: Saturday represented the clearest return toward Jack’s longstanding normal eating pattern. After very limited intake over the preceding days, he independently consumed approximately 95 pieces of k/d kibble plus an entire slurry, drank naturally while eating, remained happy and highly engaged, and resumed familiar bedtime behavior. 

August 23, 2026 — Jack

• ~7:30 AM: Woke owner by navigating through the under-bed passage. Came downstairs and immediately sought water.
• Drank approximately 30 laps from the traditional/restored water bowl, went outside and urinated normally, then returned and finished the remaining water in that bowl. Drank additional water from the second kitchen bowl, which still had plenty remaining.
• Fresh cold water added to traditional bowl; Jack returned and drank again. This continues to appear to be his preferred water station.
• ~7:40 AM: Returned upstairs with owner to rest. Jack remained energetic and active despite the owner’s significant sleep loss.
• ~12:45 PM: After a prolonged morning rest, went outside. Drank substantially from the cat’s water bowl (unquantified), then from his own bowl. Also independently drank from the small bathroom bowl; these brief drinks are normally uncounted.
• Checked approximately 50 kibble previously placed in his bowl but did not eat.
• Engaged with squeak toy indoors, then carried it to the door and wanted to continue playing outside.
• After normal urination, climbed the steep back hill to the higher section and pooped without difficulty. Produced approximately three small, firm, well-formed pieces.
• Returned down the steep hill without difficulty.
• At his familiar observation spot near the top of the four brick steps, unexpectedly bounded down all four steps after seeing the squeak toy, then rapidly ran back up carrying it after it was safely thrown away from the water hazard. Strong spontaneous play drive and mobility.
• Owner observed possible localized weakness in Jack’s left front leg, the same leg that sustained a severe soft-tissue injury nine years ago and was re-injured two years ago. This remains an observation/possibility, not a diagnosis.
• After returning indoors, remained somewhat active and monitored owner’s activity before settling in his dog bed.
• ~3:00 PM: While owner was cleaning, Jack remained alert and intermittently followed the activity, eventually hovering near the front door hoping for a ride/walk. Rested with owner on the front porch, settling comfortably in the shade and observing/sniffing his surroundings. Jack spotted  Xfinity installer turn in from a substantial distance before owner saw it. This was his first time to observe a vehicle arriving up the driveway because he has always been inside. He barked appropriately throughout its approach, quickly settled and remained relaxed and observant. Strong, appropriate response to a novel situation with good recovery.

• 5:00 PM: Jack remained relaxed and observant throughout the T-Mobile/Xfinity activity. After owner got up to handle a phone call, Jack followed briefly, then moved to the large sofa to make his bed, later relocated to his dog bed, flipped a toy out of his way with his foot, and happily made his bed. Now resting contentedly with eyes open. No food eaten as of 5 PM. Water intake was normal earlier in the day but less notable this afternoon. Overall, happy, comfortable, and somewhat more energetic than recently.

  
  

Key tracking points: normal but mostly unquantified water intake; continued preference for the traditional water station; no kibble eaten as of 5 PM; approximately three small, firm, well-formed stools; later a more normal longer well-formed stool; normal urination; successful steep-hill navigation; spontaneous bounding down and rapid return up four steps; strong toy/play engagement; appropriate response to repairman, possible localized left-front-leg weakness but a repeat of diminished appetite  

• ~6:30 PM: Had not eaten yet. Had not shown his usual strong evening walk signal.
• ~6:30 PM: Went outside and produced one normal-looking, well-formed stool, which the user saw him produce and subsequently located. This was distinct from the previously unseen stool on an earlier evening.
• ~7:30–8:00 PM: Evening outing/walk. Jack enjoyed the walk and showed normal interest in scents and surroundings. Drank approximately 20–30 laps before the walk and approximately 10 laps afterward.
• ~8:20 PM: Began enthusiastically making his bed on the loveseat. While standing upright, with most of his weight apparently on his front legs, he had a brief wobble. User speculated that it possibly involved the left front leg.
• ~9:30 PM: Resting quietly after the walk.
• 10:00–11:00 PM: Remained asleep/resting unusually late. He continued to hear the user moving and opened his eyes to watch her.
• ~11:00 PM: Finally got up after unusually long sleep; Jack followed. Peed normally in usual spot. Brief stumble over platform in dark.
• Initially uninterested in slurry or kibble; ate when kibble was placed directly in front of him. ~10 kibble eaten from original 50-piece serving.
• Brief wobble while lowering himself to drink; drank only ~8–10 laps.
• Returned to food after it was put away. Ate all fish oil after several days without it.
• Declined additional hand-fed kibble, but readily ate kibble dropped into slurry. Consumed ~½ second slurry plus several kibble pieces; 10 kibble reserved for treat hunt — eaten as bedtime—50 kibble total. 
• Treat hunt: Actively engaged for ≥5 minutes; beat user upstairs and immediately checked his bed for treats.
• Afterward: Vigorous bed-making—jumped repeatedly around bed with blanket caught in paws; exceptionally energetic.

August 24, 2026 — Jack Log

• Overnight: Small, fairly well-formed stool. Not diarrhea, but not a complete/full stool; larger than the very tiny stools seen previously.
• 8:45 AM: User heard Jack moving under the bed and startled him awake while calling for him; quickly reassured and petted him.
• Stopped for a good drink from the bathroom bowl before going outside.
• Went down outdoor steps without difficulty; used former favorite yard area. Possible poop, not observed.
• Ran back up the steps without difficulty.
• Navigated all 13 indoor stairs both directions without difficulty.
• Drank approximately 20 laps from kitchen bowl. Due to nighttime eating habit, no food available or given yet.
• 9:00 AM: Settled comfortably in dog bed.
• Recent stool pattern: Jack may have been pooping somewhat more often lately. This may reflect the recent periods of heavier kibble intake, with the resulting stool continuing to pass during the subsequent days of lower intake.