I'm changing the message here a bit to update on the continuing saga in Riyadh. Bad enough last week that Sahraa was sick and had to see several vets, but now Tim is going to the hospital as I write.

He was apparently bitten by an unknown insect on Monday, which according to the embassy doctor, became infected by an unknown bacteria and turned into blood poisoning. We actually can't imagine how any of this happened. In any case, the embassy doctor treated him with a strong course of antibiotics, but the redness and red lines in his leg, where he was bitten, have only gotten worse.

Finally, four days later, they are sending him to an emergency ward for treatment and possible admittance to the hospital because whatever they have been giving him certainly doesn't seem to have worked. To say I'm a bit worried would be an understatement. He hasn't had a fever and feels generally OK, but something more needs to be done, obviously.

Will update when I can. He didn't want me to go with him but will let me know the story as soon as he knows.