On Monday June 18th, 2012 Bentley underwent his second surgery, this time on the left side. I had to leave with a very heavy heart to Germany the same day because of a very ill mother hospitalized overseas.
My husband, daughter and best friend stayed behind and took over Bentley's post op care. Bentley's surgery went much better than the first time around. He had the surgery in Pasadena/CA at the:
http://www.pasadenavetspecialists.com/team
This time Bentley was also kept over night post op which did make a huge difference in his aftercare. My family had none of the previous post op growling or pacing like the first time. By the time my daughter and friend picked Bentley up the following day after his surgery, his pain patch had kicked in and he also had his meds for the first time. His incision was smaller this time around and he also had 3 sutures.
He had to wear a soft color to stop him from licking and chewing his surgical side. All they had to do is take him home and let him rest. The new Vet had Bentley placed on liquid medication for pain and Antibiotic's for only 7 days post op and not for 3 weeks!
Therefore, his stomach didn't suffer at all and he used his litter box to poo and pee right from the get go with no further problems. His post op care was to give him his medicine twice daily and to keep him quite for 2 weeks post op, meaning (no jumping, running, climbing etc.) Dr Little our new Vet told my family and friend that after the 2 weeks of rest period, Bentley is allowed anything he wants to do... to help build up his muscle again.
The 2 weeks went by with no other incidents. Bentley did great! None of the previous nightmare's! I have been kept updated in Germany via Skype and E-Mail. Thank God for our technology! It was so hard for me to go so far away and leaving my little guy behind like this. But all worked out wonderful!
Bentley is now 1 month post op and doing great!!! :) He had his first follow up appointment and that also went wonderful. According to my best friend and daughter he showed no aggression at all at the Vet's even when she pulled his operated leg out all the way to check his range of motion. The Vet had Bentley walk and all looked perfectly normal. We were told that Bentley should recover with time fully normal.
I am as of now still in Germany for one more week before I get to go back home, this time leaving here with a heavy heart. My mother is suffering from dementia with severe anger outburst and I have to leave my father alone here to take care for my mother by himself, which is extremely difficult. But I get to see my little guy soon and of course my family and friends in the states and hopefully we all can figure out something to help my Dad and to all live a happy life. Even if we are worlds apart.
Bentley pictured here... 1 month post op with his little Physical Therapist "Hannah"hard at work!
One more thing to all Pet Owner's, please check into some Pet Insurance for your Baby. Bentley has "Healthy Paws"
http://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/
and they covered 80% of his total Vet Bill, which is a lot. My husband already received the check in the mail and we got most of our money back. It is very comforting to know that we do not have to worry about expensive Vet Bills any more.