Update for Scooter:
As of last night, Scooter's demeanor and eating crashed. He was spitting most of his Critical Care out yesterday afternoon, and last night I only got one syringe into him with most of a cucumber slice and it took me two hours to do it.
This morning, Scooter was very lethargic and seemed largely in pain. He would not easily chew and swallow any Critical Care, he would let the vast majority of a mouthful spill out of his mouth. I discovered that he WOULD make a supreme effort to eat a cucumber slice, so even though they aren't the best for him he's had several of them today. Some food is better than no food.
I called the vet who made an emergency appointment for him at 4pm. I will be honest in saying that I did not think he would be coming home. I was fairly certain that with no answers and with his inability to eat almost anything, it would be kinder to let him go as much as that would tear me apart.
The radiographs, as luck would have it, came back from the radiologist just before his appointment. And we have a diagnosis. Poor Scooter has arthritis in his jaw. This is why he seems to have difficulty opening his mouth, and why it hurts to chew.
Dr Ker assures me that this is treatable, and that we have many treatment options. The first problem however is that we must stop the metacam before using any other meds, and that takes a couple of days to clear his system to make sure that we don't mix any meds as it could kill him.
His first try at pain meds will be Children's Advil. We were given a specific type to get, and on the weekend we will start that.
Please keep Scooter in your thoughts, and even though I am not a religious man by any means, keep him in your prayers as well. My baby fella deserves all the help he can get.