Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took Beni to Cornell today. He will have surgery on that tumor tomorrow. He was examined by the Soft Tissue Surgeon and the good news is he confirmed it's benign. His name is Dr. Neary and I got a good feeling from him so that helped with the anxiety level. The student had taken Beni out in the back to do some examinations and while he was gone... Dr Montgomery the Optho resident walked by the room I was in and stopped to say hello and that he had just seen Beni in the back. I asked if someone from Optho will checking in on him before during and after the procedure and he said yes.

When the STS came back he was smiling and said he didn't know he had such a famous patient. He said everyone was coming over and saying Oh there's Beni! I said yeah he's pretty well known down here.

Beni did have some prescreening today... full CBC and the doctor recommended chest xrays just to make sure nothing was going on that may have caused the tumor. Upon the initial exam he said that for Beni's age his heart and lungs sounded terrific.

I gave the doctor a rundown on Beni's eye meds and the schedule that I have him on here at home. I had all of the instructions written down and attached to the case I had the meds in. He said that's great I wish all pet owners were more like you. I also brought some of Beni's foods both wet and dry and also some of his favorite little biscuits. I told both the doctor and the student that Beni isn't food motivatated while he's here so don't be surprised if he eats only a little if anything.

When the doctor called a little while ago... he said that the xrays showed nothing either in the chest region or the lungs. He also said Beni's bloodwork came back absolutely pristine... his words... which he said is remarkable for a nearly 12 year old dog. I asked how Beni was and he said he was just laying there resting comfortably. They took him for a walk and he pooped which was good since I couldn't get him to go before leaving the house this morning. His surgery is set for sometime Friday morning.... he could use some good thoughts... so could I!
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

It sounds like Beni is doing just fine. . . . But I know these kinds of things are hard--especially not having him home with you. Artemis and I are sending all kinds of good thoughts and positive energy your way. I know you will, but be sure to send an update tomorrow.

All of the news so far sounds so good, this should give you some comfort -- although I'm sure the waiting will be hard. We'll be thinking of you and Beni tomorrow, and sending lots of prayers... and waiting for your updates!
-----
Tammy and Kodi

Hi Bob, Beni, and Pack,

I agree with Tammy and Kodi....as Tom Petty would say, "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"....I do know that our two Benis are survivors and that adversity makes them that
much stronger. We can't wait to hear about about the next Beni update - when he is comfortably resting at home getting a good old fashioned belly rub!

Patty, Beni, Kari

Glad to hear Beni's test results were so good. I know it was hard to leave him at Cornell but knowing he has so many friends there probably made it a little easier. Sending lots of good thoughts your way
-----
Winona

Home of Asher, Bari, and Ginger (waiting at the bridge: Caspar, Karma, Greedy, and sweet Tifla)

The student who is on Beni's case called a couple of hours ago with an update. One thing I can say is they do keep you informed down there. Her name is Ana and she is an exchange student from Brazil. Anyway she said Beni was doing very well and she actually got him to eat some food. I told her congratulations she is one of the very few ever to do so! She said that Beni had been given his afternoon eye drops and there will be someone on duty overnight to give his other meds. She said Beni's surgery is scheduled for 9:30am and when it's over and he is out from under the anesthesia she will call with the update. The doctor had requested and I gave my okay to have Beni stay through the day Friday and I will pick him up on Saturday. He just wanted to monitor Beni thoroughly and make sure no fluids build up in the surgical area. Will post another update on Friday when I get home from work. Thanks everyone for all of the well wishes!!
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Wow!

An output and an input from Beni...sounds like he is already ready to get back to his daily routine! We look forward to your next update.

Until tomorrow....
Paws and fingers crossed for everything to go smoothly and for a speedy recovery at home for Beni.

Patty, my Beni, and Kari

Benign is such a beautiful word! And with such wonderful test reports, there is even more to be thankful for. It will seem a long time until that phone call tomorrow, and another long time until you have him with you again on Saturday. I'll be keeping good thoughts for you and Beni, and prayers for skill and excellence from his doctors!
-----
Anne, Bill, and Murphy

The surgeon called me at this work this morning around 1130 to tell me that the surgery was successful and that Beni had already come out from under the effects of the anesthesia. He said he was alert but lazy. He was able to excise around a good portion of the tumor. I asked him if it was attached to anything inside and he said no and that there were only several minor bloodvessels feeding it. I didn't ask about his eye because earlier in the morning when he called to tell me that Beni was going into surgery he mentioned that they had doubled the amount of ointment used to keep the eye lubricated. I figured it wouldn't be until later when they would know anything. I'll be asking the student when she calls later tonight to see how that is going. The surgeon said they will monitor him closely to watch any signs of seroma(fluid buildup) around the incision and they would treat it with hot and cold packs if it does. I'll also set up with the student when I bring Beni back home on Saturday. Will post another update later tonight.
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Happy to read this good report on sweet Beni! I know it must be hard to be so far away from him, but you'll soon be on your way to pick him up!
-----
Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I love to hear good news
-----
Winona

Home of Asher, Bari, and Ginger (waiting at the bridge: Caspar, Karma, Greedy, and sweet Tifla)

Yeah! Way to go, Beni!
-----
Tammy and Kodi

Oh, so nice to read this good news--even if I'm a little late on getting to it!

The student called me about 7pm and said Beni was doing really well. She said she got him to eat again with some chicken and rice. I asked if Optho had checked in on him and she said yes that Dr Montgomery had stopped in and thought everything looked okay. Being from Brazil she is a little hard to understand... so I'm not sure if they checked pressures. I'll find out tomorrow but she did reiterate what Dr Neary had mentioned earlier that they had doubled the ointment used prior to surgery. She said Beni was getting his eye meds based on the schedule I left them. She said Beni was the best dog to handle. He hasn't paid any attention to the incision and hasn't tried to scratch once. We set a time of between 830 and 9 for me to come pick him up Saturday morning.

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts and well wishes! Beni really appreciates them and so do I!!
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Wonderful news! Now, try to get some sleep and before you know it, he'll be back home!
-----
Tammy and Kodi

I'm betting you'll be at their door by 8:29 I can hardly wait to ready the "Beni is home!" post.

Please tell Beni I'm glad he's getting better!
-----
Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Beni the Warrior!

So very happy to hear such good news.

Please give him extra scratches and kisses from all of us.

Bob -

Great to hear the good news about Beni.
Way to go Beni!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-----

Bill- Owner of Patrick
http://www.youtube.com/dollarbyll

I picked Beni up this morning about 830. Talked to the student and then the doctor. He did say that Beni had regurgitated a couple of times this morning... that yellowie bile stuff. He said it shouldn't be a concern but to just keep an eye on him. I did find out they tried some different food to get him to eat so maybe that had something to do with it.

He's been mostly sleeping here and has remained quiet. He did take a long drink when he got home and was a little out of it but once he gets rested up and back into his routine he'll be okay. The Dr did put a patch over the incision and said to leave it there for today but if it fell off that is okay. He said the incision was a clean incision and Beni was given antibiotics during and after the procedure so he said I didn't have to bring any home with me. He said the sutures should stay in for 10-14 days and I could bring Beni to my own vet to have them removed but he said he would like to see Beni again so I'll make an appointment for the week after next. To bad the timing wasn't better as he has an Optho appointment on the 17th.

So.... all in all everything seems to be going well! Thanks once again for all of the well wishes!

-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Welcome home Beni Happy everything went so well.
-----
Winona

Home of Asher, Bari, and Ginger (waiting at the bridge: Caspar, Karma, Greedy, and sweet Tifla)

Hi Bob, Beni, and Pack,

We love to hear great news!

Next week will definitely be a true Thanksgiving Day with so much more to be thankful for......We are continuing to keep fingers and paws crossed for a speedy recovery - we look forward to more updates....

Patty, my Beni, and Kari

I'm so happy to know that you have Beni back home with you! Now, curl up with him and have a nice nap!
-----
Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Bob -

Glad to hear that Beni is home and everything went well.
-----

Bill- Owner of Patrick
http://www.youtube.com/dollarbyll

Yeah for Beni! Glad he's back home where he belongs!
-----
Tammy and Kodi

Something to be thankful for every year: the health of our pups, even with the ups and downs that come our way. I'm so glad Beni is home with you now. I know he's happy to be home too!

Glad to read he's doing well. What a relief!

Hopefully he's even more comfortable now that a few days have gone by.
-----
Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas