***Updated 10/31/14
It’s happily furever after for Bentley and his pup parent, Nina Pham. Bentley’s final test results came in, and he is officially Ebola free! The city of Dallas also announced he will be reunited with Nina this Saturday! Just in time, since Bentley missed his mom so much, he was reportedly suffering from separation anxiety.
We’re so happy that things worked out for the both of them, and we give major kudos to the city of Dallas for the way they handled this situation, in stark contrast to story of Excalibur.
Hooray for Bentley and Nina! 🙂
***Updated 10/30/14
The City of Dallas released footage of Bentley in quarantine!
Although his mom Nina Pham has now completely recovered and has gone, the two have not yet been reunited. Bentley’s quarantine ends around November 1st, so hopefully soon thereafter, Bentley will finally be able to go home.
Bentley has tested negative for Ebola as well.
Cross your paws this family can be reunited soon!
***Updated 10/22/14
As of today, Bentley is definitely Ebola free! His test results came back, and they were negative for the disease.
Although his quarantine is not yet over, and he has to be tested twice more, we’re fairly sure this is a good sign!
Also, he seems to be doing fine, if evidenced by these pics of him playing and getting love from workers:
Bentley, stay strong! And with your mom’s condition also upgraded to good, we’re hoping more good news will come soon!
***Updated 10/20/2014
We’re happy to report that Bentley is still doing well in quarantine, and not only that, the City of Dallas announced he will be tested for Ebola for the first time today.
Three times during the twenty-one day period of his quarantine (which is set to expire at the beginning of November), Bentley will be put into a special kennel and have his urine and feces tested for signs of the disease.
Bentley is currently in the care of the City of Dallas Animal Services, with veterinary care assistance provided by Texas A&M University’s emergency veterinary team.
We’ll keep you in the loop on any further developments on his condition, and hope he and his pup parent Nina Pham will be reunited soon!
***Updated 10/16/2014
We’re happy to report that not only has Bentley, the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel of Dallas Ebola patient Nina Pham still show no signs of infection, he was safely moved to quarantine on Saturday.
The city of Dallas recently released a video of Bentley, who is shown chowing down on some food in a comfortable crate.
On Monday, a picture was released of the vet in charge of Bentley’s care, Dr. Beckham, hugging the pup. Dr. Beckham also spent some quality play time with the pooch as well. Dallas Animal Services updates their Facebook and Twitter feed with the facts and status of Bentley and his care.
Donations have poured in for Bentley from all over, so much so that the Dallas Animal Services had to suspend their earlier request for supplies from the public. They will keep the public updated on future requests through their Facebook page.
In other good news, Bentley’s pup parent’s condition was upgraded to “good” by her doctors, and she released a statement to the public saying, “I’m doing well and want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers.”
Here’s hoping both Bentley and Nina get through this ordeal safely and well!
Original Post 10/13/14
Dallas: we heart this choice.
In contrast to the decision made by the Spanish authorities, the second Ebola patient diagnosed with Dallas, pup parent and 26-year-old nurse Nina Pham, will not have their dog euthanized. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlins told USA TODAY that the dog’s life will be spared, and they have moved the pooch into quarantine instead. “This was a new twist. The dog’s very important to the patient and we want it to be safe,” Rawlins stated. The dog, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, so far has exhibited no signs of the disease.
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Texas state health commissioner David Lakey also released a statement: “We want to make sure that we respond appropriately. So we’re working hard to find a location to care for the dog and a location where we can have the proper monitoring of that dog.”
This turn of events is in stark contrast to the fate of Excalibur, the pup of Spanish Ebola patient Teresa Romero. Despite showing no signs of the Ebola virus, and worldwide efforts and protests held to to save the him, he was euthanized last Wednesday.
Although various dogs in West Africa, where this recent outbreak originated, tested positive to Ebola, there is no scientific evidence that irrefutably proves they can transmit it to humans. The virus is spread through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, i.e. blood, sweat, urine and tears.
Here’s to hoping that the Texas health care worked recovers, and she and her pup be reunited soon! We here at the BarkPost will be closely following the story, and will definitely report on any updates!
