God's teeth, I'm slow-witted

Nicki's had a lot of cycles of open-mouthed breathing today, though his respiratory rate so far has remained low. (Full inhales/exhales while sleeping at 20 - 21.) I got a humidifier, though after a few hours it's still reading only 33% humidity (started at 29%). He breathes normally for a couple of hours, then has a sneezing, stuffy nose episode and does the open-mouthed thing for a bit, then is okay again.

I called his regular vet clinic (no vets on staff Saturday, just someone to answer phones, dole out meds and food, etc.). She suggested going to the sister clinic on the other side of the city, but I've not done that. Too late now, anyway. What else could do they have done, but the same things the ER vet did last night? With the same result? And more stress to Nicki?

However, I made an appt at his regular clinic for Tuesday afternoon, in case it's needed. (Monday is a holiday.) Hope I'll be able to cancel it.

The slow-witted part comes in because some of you have repeatedly asked me if the renos could have had any impact, and I've immediately thought of course not, I cleaned up (most of) the drywall dust, etc. The correlation here is that Nicki's coughing worsened after the drywall installation in November, though I chalked it up to a bad, early winter.

Stupid me.

The Pred has resolved the coughing, temporarily, but presumably the irritation is coming out via his sinuses now.

Honestly, how clueless can I be?

I'm keeping a close eye on him, closer than he'd like, and have worked myself up into my usual state of panic and (almost) physical illness. We might still end up back the ER clinic--worst case scenario being he needs oxygen, I spend thousands of dollars more of my line of credit and he dies anyway. That's the bottom line.

Oh, I'm a joy to be around now! I need sleep, but am waiting on the bed delivery and can't nap right now.

Nicki surely could use a few purrs, though, if you have some to spare! Thanks.