Quick update for Saturday

The specialist called on Thursday and said the Bentman's joint fluid was thin, watery and dark instead of thick and light colored like a motor oil. So he called in the scary Prednisone pills to the local pharmacy and Bentley started them on Thursday night. No problems as of this morning and he is starting to behave a wee bit more like himself but not really letting Kris or I out of his hearing or sight. The appetite is definitely improving as it should be since I have him and the little Jax man on a special food mix of brown and white rice with chicken and carrots. I boil it all together so everything has a nice chicken flavor then when it is time to eat, I mix it with some lamb and rice kibble. In Bentleys case, it has 8 pills (antibiotics/ Pred) and the little man Jax gets his fluid pill. Jax was diagnosed with a heart murmur and congestive heart failure a month ago. Yeah, it has been a month of news I'll say...
Of course , the three other 4-legged's get a spoon of the special mix stirred into their bowls because it just wouldn't be fair to not share the wealth of yumminess, would it? Plus there is the fish oil, pro-biotic, and Pepcid that has to be added to the Bentmans bowl to keep his tummy in good shape. Whew! It is worth it though....♥

I have to say that feeding time is quite an interesting experience around here. Everyone gets excited and it is nice to see Bentley interested in food again. Can't wait to see him in action when the Prednisone really kicks in - appetite wise, that is. Going to have to figure out a way to keep him from becoming a chunky monkey because he is not allowed to be out in the sun too much because of all the antibiotics and this cuts out some of our means of exercise. 


Thanks for all the well wishes too. It has helped to lighten our hearts to read the sweet comments. Hope everyone has a great weekend! Hug your 4-legged's and give them an Aire-kiss from the Bentman.


♥ Till next time,
    Karen Raye

Need some Zen...

Prayers too. Bentley is on extremely high dosage of Doxy as of last night. Four pills in the morning and four at night. The specialist passed on removing his spleen for awhile due to possible chronic stage of some type of ehrlichia. The specialist did take samples of his joint fluids that we will get results back on - hopefully Monday. And we should get bloodwork information back from University of North Carolina today or tomorrow. 

We are worried and I am trying not to be angry at previous vets for not taking me seriously when suggesting that maybe he was relapsing from his run in with tick fever back when he was three. This is a serious disease that is silent and deadly. The symptoms are so vague- lethargy, intermittent limps or soreness in one limb or another, just acting odd, not playing as much, CBC's not quite wrong but not quite right, and so much more.


Ever since I saw what tick fever could do to a dog (my ex's parents Weimeraner in West Texas), I became aware of this disease's ravages on a canines body. I took measures with Preventic collars, Advantic, and sprayed the hell out of the property with stuff from the vet's office. I thought I was vigilant and the new vet and the specialist assure me that I was but there was no way of knowing that Bentley hadn't recovered from his initial bout and the disease had gone dormant. 


I am scared because it appears to be chronic and that is not a good sign but there is a chance that we can turn this around. I just want you to be aware and follow your instincts when you know your 4-legged friend is not quite right and insist on testing for tick-based diseases no matter what the vet says. At this point, Bentley has been tested for Cushings, Addison's, Hip Dysplasia, x-rays, ultra-sounds, and even acupuncture treatments for what was thought to be spinal problems. All of his symptoms are classic TBD (tick based disease) results including the enlarged spleen.


I will keep you updated and plan on passing on informational links as I learn more. Take care and give your 4-legged's a hug.


Till next time,
Karen Raye and Bentley Beargrass

Countdown to surgery

Roux staying close to her Bentley...

For the Bentman. After numerous visits and dollars later plus firing two Vets.and going to one back in Houston(an hour away)it has been determined that Bentley will have his humongous spleen removed next week. It apparently has harbored chronic ehrlichia since he was three even though he was treated for it back then when we lived in West Texas doG- I hate that part of Texas (not really). Anyway, it is the cause of his muscle weakness (back legs and front legs now). He is currently not amused because he is not allowed to get on his couch or the 2-legged's bed. This is because he could hurt the humongous spleen and cause another bleed.  The Vet that I fired missed infection in anal gland and bladder infection so he is getting through that on top of everything else. But- not gonna blame- it is what it is and we are going forward.

I say countdown because all of this was found out on Friday and Monday from the new and wonderful Vet- Dr. Kivney. I didn't expect miracles but this lady has explained so much in 2 visits and 5 phone calls that I finally have hope that my boy will get better. Of course I am nervous and watching him like a hawk. So, we are at 5 days till the 8:30 AM appointment with surgeon next Tuesday. 

Wish us luck and send some Zen so the Bentman recovers nicely and can return to playing once again with his goofy, doofus 'lil sister Roux.....its been a long road to getting some answers and she wants to play with him again.

Till next time,

Karen Raye