Help For Bentley
Donation protected
Bentley has always had very bad skin allergies - he would scratch his ears until they bled. Numerous visits to a dermatologist and finally finding the perfect fit at Edinburgh Pet Health Center, Bentley was finally on a good course of treatment although his medication costs were roughly $200/month. Bentley was always known to get into things he shouldn't (his preference was socks) but with his large size, he was always able to pass them.
One day in April 2015, Bentley had to have an emergency surgery to remove part of a shoe he swallowed (the whole shoe minus the sole) - X-Rays wouldn't show where in his GI tract the shoe was. Turns out the shoe was in his colon, which meant it would have eventually passed, but without surgically going in, there would have been no one of telling where the shoe was in his GI tract. This ended up being a miracle in disguise. When they went in to remove the shoe, they found a large blood clot in his liver (an organ very high in vasculature). They removed the blood clot and part of his liver, saving his life. Eating Marina's shoe ended up saving his life! This surgery at Blue Pearl Emergency cost around $4100.
In September 2016, Andy and Marina added a new addition to their little family, a cat named Simba. Marina had a small stuffed toy giraffe she gave Simba to play with... unbeknownst to her, Bentley would end up eating that toy giraffe. Whole. This emergency surgery was done at the University of Minnesota in October 2016 and the cost was $3900. Andy and Marina have been paying for this surgery using CareCredit. A few weeks ago, Bentley began itching his ears again. His medication wasn't working --- it turned out he had a yeast infection (common co-occurrence with skin allergies) and it caused his Apoquel (miracle anti-itching drug) to cease working. He's been taking an anti-inflammatory and steroids to cure his yeast and skin infection. He was on a dosage of Medrol (steroids) that was being tapered off throughout the last three weeks, his last dose would have been given this last Monday (3/6/17).
Well, this last Monday, Bentley woke up lethargic and wouldn't eat. He seemed out of sorts. Worried he had eaten something again, he was given 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting (this usually does the trick, without having to give a full dosage - 5mL per 100 lbs of body weight). When that didn't work, Bentley was brought to his primary veterinarian. They did a complete blood cell count and discovered his red blood cell count was at a very low 20%. His white blood cell count was very elevated and the vet said he was still clotting blood okay and was also producing blood and platelets. Suspecting internal bleeding, Bentley was sent home with medications to coat his stomach to stop bleeding from a potential ulcer, most likely caused as a secondary effect from the steroids he was on. The next day, Bentley was not getting any better. His gums were pale, he wouldn't touch his food and didn't want treats or to play. Upon advisement from Bentley's primary veterinarian, he was brought to the University of Minnesota Emergency Veterinary Medical Center. Multiple diagnostic procedures and supportive care... poor Bentley is still not doing any better. His red blood cell count is at 21% and he is borderline at the point of needing a blood transfusion. His ultrasound showed no abnormalities and his condition is stable. Not getting worse and not getting better. He is still pale, dehydrated and very anemic.
His last surgery bill from October 2016 is still being paid off and now their balance at the University of Minnesota is at $3800. Tomorrow he will have an endoscopy to see if the camera can find something the ultrasound didn't and they are re-sending his blood for some more diagnostics. Bentley's vet bill is ever-growing and this is his second night in ICU. Bentley means the world to Andy and Marina. They would never be able to turn down doctor's suggestions because of money. They would spend their last dime on him.
Both Andy & Marina would give the shirt off their backs to help another fur baby, so if there is anything you can donate to help alleviate some of this mountain, not a penny would go unappreciated.
Thank you much,
MNNI Admins,
Joe, Tony, Cleve & Katelyn
One day in April 2015, Bentley had to have an emergency surgery to remove part of a shoe he swallowed (the whole shoe minus the sole) - X-Rays wouldn't show where in his GI tract the shoe was. Turns out the shoe was in his colon, which meant it would have eventually passed, but without surgically going in, there would have been no one of telling where the shoe was in his GI tract. This ended up being a miracle in disguise. When they went in to remove the shoe, they found a large blood clot in his liver (an organ very high in vasculature). They removed the blood clot and part of his liver, saving his life. Eating Marina's shoe ended up saving his life! This surgery at Blue Pearl Emergency cost around $4100.
In September 2016, Andy and Marina added a new addition to their little family, a cat named Simba. Marina had a small stuffed toy giraffe she gave Simba to play with... unbeknownst to her, Bentley would end up eating that toy giraffe. Whole. This emergency surgery was done at the University of Minnesota in October 2016 and the cost was $3900. Andy and Marina have been paying for this surgery using CareCredit. A few weeks ago, Bentley began itching his ears again. His medication wasn't working --- it turned out he had a yeast infection (common co-occurrence with skin allergies) and it caused his Apoquel (miracle anti-itching drug) to cease working. He's been taking an anti-inflammatory and steroids to cure his yeast and skin infection. He was on a dosage of Medrol (steroids) that was being tapered off throughout the last three weeks, his last dose would have been given this last Monday (3/6/17).
Well, this last Monday, Bentley woke up lethargic and wouldn't eat. He seemed out of sorts. Worried he had eaten something again, he was given 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting (this usually does the trick, without having to give a full dosage - 5mL per 100 lbs of body weight). When that didn't work, Bentley was brought to his primary veterinarian. They did a complete blood cell count and discovered his red blood cell count was at a very low 20%. His white blood cell count was very elevated and the vet said he was still clotting blood okay and was also producing blood and platelets. Suspecting internal bleeding, Bentley was sent home with medications to coat his stomach to stop bleeding from a potential ulcer, most likely caused as a secondary effect from the steroids he was on. The next day, Bentley was not getting any better. His gums were pale, he wouldn't touch his food and didn't want treats or to play. Upon advisement from Bentley's primary veterinarian, he was brought to the University of Minnesota Emergency Veterinary Medical Center. Multiple diagnostic procedures and supportive care... poor Bentley is still not doing any better. His red blood cell count is at 21% and he is borderline at the point of needing a blood transfusion. His ultrasound showed no abnormalities and his condition is stable. Not getting worse and not getting better. He is still pale, dehydrated and very anemic.
His last surgery bill from October 2016 is still being paid off and now their balance at the University of Minnesota is at $3800. Tomorrow he will have an endoscopy to see if the camera can find something the ultrasound didn't and they are re-sending his blood for some more diagnostics. Bentley's vet bill is ever-growing and this is his second night in ICU. Bentley means the world to Andy and Marina. They would never be able to turn down doctor's suggestions because of money. They would spend their last dime on him.
Both Andy & Marina would give the shirt off their backs to help another fur baby, so if there is anything you can donate to help alleviate some of this mountain, not a penny would go unappreciated.
Thank you much,
MNNI Admins,
Joe, Tony, Cleve & Katelyn
Organizer
Andy Rushing
Organizer
Lino Lakes, MN
