Thursday, August 16, 2018

A Good Check Up

   Bentley had his senior wellness checkup this week. It is the first time that he has officially seen our new vet. He did go get his nails clipped a few weeks ago but he needed a refill of his heartworm medicine and that required an office visit.  He and Pierre somehow got on different schedules, so their heartworm test is three months apart. Both boys take the same dosage, so we buy the six months supply of Heartgard and they share.
   I know it seems like they should be on two different sizes but the 25 to 50 lbs. cover both boys. We are working with Pierre to drop five pounds that he has picked up. He blames it on the lack of squirrel chasing here in Texas. I blame myself for overfeeding him, but he gets sick when his tummy is empty. It is a double-edged sword with him, but we will get those extra pounds off.
   As far as Bentley goes, it is time for this mama to do some bragging. The vet said that he was in great shape for a 10 1/2-year-old senior. No problems with his ears, eyes, or any of the parts she probed and pushed! He weighed in at 49 pounds which is down a pound from his normal weight. She said he was a perfect size for his age and commended us because Bassets have a tendency to get fat. We had to snicker and confess that Bentley used to weigh 69 pounds!
   That’s right, my little stud muffin used to be a tank. We fed our dogs kibble for years and never gave it a second thought. I was blind to how unhealthy Bentley looked and felt. This all changed when I met Dr. Harvey’s team. I was introduced to a new way of feeding the boys. They have tried all of Dr. Harvey's recipes, but are currently enjoying Canine Health. It took some time and discipline (no table scraps) along with exercise but the pounds disappeared. Bentley started running and playing again with Pierre. It was obvious that the extra weight was putting a strain on him. The trick now is getting Pierre moving again. We are hoping the weather cools off soon so we can spend more time outdoors.
   I’m still bragging but this time it’s about Bentley's ears. In addition to the compliments on his weight, she was very surprised with how good his ears looked. That is when I told her how we battled constant ear infections for the first eight years of my boy’s life. Once we learned about The Purple Stuff from My GBGV Life, everything changed. We use it faithfully every month and he has not had an ear infection in over three years! I never thought I’d be able to write those words. If you are fighting ear infections with your dog, check out my article, DIY Dog Allergy Hacks for the recipe and instructions for making your own Purple Stuff.
   The vet asked if we wanted to get Bentley updated parvovirus, leptospirosis and Bordetella vaccines but I declined. I was stunned to discover his rabies vaccine is good for three years because it is mandatory that they are vaccinated every year in Louisiana. That means my boys have been getting super dosed with rabies vaccine for years! If they were around other dogs, I would consider the Bordetella, but they aren’t so the more chemicals I can keep out of their body, the better. We do live where heartworms are common, so we NEVER miss a dose of our preventative. It is one illness that is completely preventable with medication.
   So, we are very thankful for a good report from our vet. I know so many of our friends are not as lucky. 
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20 comments :

  1. congrats for the good news!!! I agree with you for the rabies thing, we currently have a vet clinic who are addicted to vaccinations it is hard to escape from there without getting one... ;O)

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  2. Woohoo, well done on the A+++ report card Bentley
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. We are always happy to hear good reports from our vets! We have a vet who likes to over vaccinate too and mom says no all the time.

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  4. Great vet reports, boys! If only humans didn’t talk so much about our weight. #rude

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  5. I am so proud of you for getting fit Bentley, and joining the squeaky clean, infection free ear club! I know you feel great! We are lucky MN always allows the vaccines to the max, so three years for rabies is standard. No worries about the Bordetella. We had that shot both times we all came down with the dog flu. Our vet said it is useless in fighting illness most of the time because like the human flu, there are so many strains out there. We don't get it either.

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  6. That is such great news! Yay for Bentley, and kudos to you for taking such good care of him! We've always been careful to keep Luke's weight down because of his bad knees. But once we got him off kibble, he lost even more weight and we thought he was too thin! So now he gets more food and treats, which he is quite happy about. I also think it's great that you are aware of the importance of being conservative about vaccines, and that you are now in a state that doesn't require the rabies yearly, which seems like way overkill!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  7. Looking good Bentley! So glad you got a good report!

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  8. Great news and good fo you for not putting unnecessary toxins into their little bodies and to keep weight down.

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  9. Pierre I hear you on the empty tummy. That happens to me too. Mom gives me my breakfast at 6 am it has my meds in it then thru out the day I get several very mini meals. Maybe two tablespoons.
    I will go sit near my feeding station and she knows what I want. Same thing in the evening supper at 4ish w meds then a few mini meals.
    Yay for a great report
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  10. We're glad you had such a good report ! Concatulations ! Purrs

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  11. Oh hooray Bentley, a good report from the Vet is always wonderful, especially for us seniors! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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  12. Who doesn't love a good vet report!!! Congrats to you and Bentley - both doing a great job keeping him healthy!!!

    Misty had a very bad experience last year with all her vaccinations. The vet suspects it was the rabies that did it, but from now on she will only get one vaccine at a time.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  13. We're glad your doing well. As a cocker spaniel, I am very prone to ear infections, allergies, skin, and eye problems. I have been super lucky, though. My ghostwriter says my ears are amazing, and I've NEVER had an ear infection. Our angels, Joey dog, Miss Ginger, and Old Charisma had terrible ear problems! Hope you two stay healthy!

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  14. We're glad to hear Bentley got a good report from the vet. He's looking great!

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  15. Great news! Our Jasmine did not get good news but we're thankful that the doctor taught our Female Human how to do sub Q fluids and Jasmine seems to be returning to her old self.
    Purrs & Bonks,
    Alberto & The Tribe of Five

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  16. Your mom takes great care of you Bentley!!!\
    hugs
    hazel & Mabel

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  17. What a terrific visit! You rock Bentley

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  18. Congrats on a perfect checkup Bentley! Yes, I'd have to say that you are a fine specimen of a Bassett. A stufmuffin for sure!
    Love & Biscuits
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  19. Congratulations on a pawsome report Bentley 🐾
    Stay strong!

    Nose nudges,
    CEO Olivia

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