Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Angel

August 1, 2015December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Angel came to us via a small rescue group in Arkansas. We learned about her by reading a post on Facebook, she had been turned into a small city-run dog pound by someone who claimed they found her as a stray. The Arkansas rescue ladies drove the dog to St Louis, a kind volunteer of another terrier rescue group in St Louis drove the dog to Columbia, MO where I met her on a Sunday afternoon and drove five hours home. We named the dog, Angel, in honor of the group who had originally rescued her. Angel was pretty vocal in her kennel at first but settled in nicely for the ride home. It was shockingly apparent that she would require a great deal of help from our veterinarian to regain her health.

Upon arriving in her foster home, Angel settled in quickly learning the routine, the yard and began playing with the other dogs. Her visit to the veterinary clinic the next day brought us a diagnosis of intestinal parasites, anemia, yeast and bacterial infection of her skin and ears, her eyes were completely devoid of tear production, her front teeth were missing and broken to the gum line, and she tested positive for heartworm. She was also not spayed. We initially questioned whether or not we should proceed with the costly course of treatment but Angel quickly showed us that she was not ready to give up and that she thoroughly enjoyed life and especially the good, home-cooked meals topped with goat’s milk that she is served twice a day.

After a course of thirty days of treatment with doxycycline, and with help from WestieMed, our vets will take X-rays and repeat the blood work in anticipation of the heartworm treatment. We hope that Angel’s future is much happier than her past but regardless of the outcome, we will do whatever we can to make this chapter of her life a happy one filled with love, fresh air and sunshine, a huge yard to romp in, rabbits and squirrels to chase, and toys filled with squeakers and stuffing. We will pamper her and love her regardless of the outcome.

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Update February 16, 2016

Angel is still recuperating from her heartworm treatment. After the initial treatment, she still tested positive so our vets had to give her a third injection. She will be retested again in a couple of weeks at which time if she tests negative, we will then proceed with her much-needed dental work and her spay surgery.

Her foster mom bathes her weekly to help with her skin and she remains the happiest girl one could imagine, given that her condition causes miserable symptoms.

Angel does have an approved adopter that is eager to take her home and make her a part of the family when cleared by our vets.

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Update November 17, 2016: (Angel now called Addie)

Angel was cleared of heartworm and then spayed and had her teeth cleaned at which time she lost several badly infected teeth.

Soon after she was adopted by Scott and Hanna, who are both college students here in Omaha. This little girl now known as Addie is their entire world and vice versa. Don’t you just LOVE happy endings?

Thank you to the donors who make funding through WestieMed possible. Angel owes her life to the kindness of many, many strangers along her journey to good health and happiness.

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue
“Tender Loving Care for Terriers in Need”

Suzy

June 1, 2014December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Suzy a six-year-old female West Highland White Terrier came into Wag N Train Terrier Rescue on May 4, 2014, from a shelter in Missouri where she had been surrendered by a family member after the death of her owner. The shelter stated that Suzy limped on her left rear leg and was badly in need of a dental with possible extractions.

Upon arrival, Suzy was immediately bathed and the long, matted coat was clipped off. She was matted in places to the skin and had a large amount of feces stuck to her coat underneath her tail. She graciously met the intake coordinator’s Westies and had a good snoop in the yard.

Soon after that, Suzy was taken to Rockbrook Animal Clinic for her dental procedure and x-rays of her hips and patellas to diagnose the cause of her limp. It was discovered that she suffers from degenerative joint disease in both hips and a degenerative disc at the lumbosacral joint. Multiple surgeries would be required or Suzy would need to be on anti-inflammatory medication for the rest of her life. Our wonderful vet, Dr Martin Ramm, suggested an alternate treatment that is relatively new to the veterinary community, stem cell replacement therapy with the goal of giving Suzy a chance at a good quality of life without the use of surgery, drugs, or medications. This procedure has been scheduled for June 19th.

Suzy remains a happy, carefree girl who likes to carry small stuffed toys in her mouth and is happy to meet young and old. We anxiously anticipate her recovery and are optimistic that the procedure will render her able to run, romp, and zoom in the yard without suffering the painful after-effects.

Attached you will find a “before” and “after” photo of Suzy, you can see the transformation that just a good bath and haircut will do! She is a smart and beautiful girl who so deserves to live the rest of her life without pain and suffering.

Respectfully,

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA

Wag N Train Terrier Rescue
“Tender Loving Care for Terriers in Need”

Update July 28, 2015

Suzy is doing great. I fostered Suzy after her stem cell transplant and eventually adopted her. She is such a spunky little gal.

The vet was able to harvest enough stem cells to inject both her hips and her knee and we have stored enough for one additional treatment should it be needed.

The transplant was successful in that we have avoided surgery. It is an amazing procedure with so much promise.

With exercise, laser therapy and chiropractic adjustments following her treatment Suzy has built up her muscles and become an active happy little Westie with the appropriate amount of Westitude. No more limping, skipping or pain.

It is so rewarding to see the transformation she has made and we have WestieMed to thank for that. Should you need a more technical medical report, please let me know.

Again, thank you for all you do. Not only for Suzy but the many pups you have helped. What a blessing.

Kathy Carlson

Casper and Diamond

July 1, 2012December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Casper and Diamond came to us in April of 2012 from a man who stated his daughter had originally purchased the pair for breeding, had moved over a year prior and was unable to take the dogs. She left them in his care and for that year the dogs had lived outside in a pen. When the man and his wife traveled south for the winter, the dogs were cared for by neighbors who gave them food and water. The man told our volunteer that they let the dogs out of the pen occasionally but were too “wild” in the house so they could not keep them indoors.

Upon intake into our rescue the pair was groomed and seen by our veterinarian, Dr. Martin Ramm of Rockbrook Animal Clinic for spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and fecal and heartworm tests. At that time there appeared to be no medical conditions with either Casper or Diamond and they were deemed happy and healthy. Upon settling into their foster homes it was observed that both dogs drank unusually large amounts of water and urinated frequently. We also came to believe that these two lovely, engaging dogs were at one time very well-loved and well trained. Both walk beautifully on leash and are kennel trained, they know what furniture is and that sitting on the sofa is much preferred overlaying on the floor. They adore people, young and old alike and can’t seem to get enough attention!

Dr. Ramm performed blood and urine tests on both dogs and tentatively diagnosed both had kidney problems and suspected Fanconi’s Syndrome. They were referred to the Midwest Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Omaha and were examined by Dr. Christopher Byers. The initial visit, which included specialized blood and urine testing, for both dogs combined, was $1450.00. Dr. Byers is recommending further testing for Diamond estimated at $550-700 as he believes she is suffering from Stage 1 renal failure. The results on Casper’s testing will not be available for 2 more weeks as the specimen was sent to Penn State for review. If Casper does indeed have Fanconi’s Syndrome, management in the form of medication, supplements, and prescription diet will be implemented.

These expenses have severely strained our limited budget and we are struggling to remain solvent in an attempt to assist other terriers in our community that need our help. Casper and Diamond have shown us their true terrier spirit as through all the testing, poking and examinations, they remain happy and loving little dogs. We at Wag N Train have made a commitment to them for continued care for the remainder of their lives if they are not adoptable, whether that be 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, or hopefully much longer!

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Update January 7, 2013

Diamond is still in foster care in my home. She attends adoption events and many have inquired about adopting her by shy away when informed of her diagnosis, even though she is a happy, lively and spunky terrier girl. She is showing no other symptoms of renal failure except the excessive thirst and frequent urination.

Diamond is a true joy to be around and daily reinforces that we humans can all take lessons from our dogs…play the hand that life deals you making the best of each and every day! We continue to be optimistic that she will one day find a forever home to love and adore her until the end.

Casper was adopted on Dec. 7, 2012, by Molly Tamayo. Molly works as a technician for Dr. Christopher Byers DVM who is Casper’s specialist at Midwest Veterinary Hospital in Omaha NE.

WestieMed had been a valuable partner in our organization, providing the necessary funding to help us treat our rescue dogs with special medical needs, such as Casper and Diamond.

Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Update June 10, 2013

Diamond is still in foster care with me and is doing well. She recently had her annual vaccinations at which time Dr. Ramm drew blood and took urine. They found some blood in her urine so prescribed Amoxicillin for 10 days, after which we will repeat the urine test. Dr. Ramm did suggest we take her back to Dr. Byers at Midwest Veterinary Specialty Clinic for another check-up too.

Diamond remains an active and happy girl. She attends all the adoption events with me and gets so excited when she sees me packing the car because she knows she gets to go for a ride and gets a lot of attention at the events. She loves people of all ages! The only symptoms she continues to exhibit are excessive thirst and urination.

We recently received an email from a potential adopter who lives in MN and is very interested in Diamond. This lady always adopts older or special needs dogs and her sixteen-year-old Westie is failing. We are cautiously optimistic that Diamond may have found a forever home! I have also attached the most recent photo taken last week after her visit to the groomer.

Respectfully,
Janeal Dominico, CPDT-KA
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue

Eddie

February 1, 2011December 26, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Eddie was surrendered to the Nebraska Humane Society in January of 2011. His owners noted that Eddie would cry and yell when being touched around the hindquarters.

The Humane Society ran labs and x-rays of his hindquarters to find the cause of his pain, but his tests came back normal at that time.

Wag n Train Terrier Rescue was contacted and Eddie was taken to his new foster home on January 8, 2011. On January 13, 2011, Eddie was seen at Rockbrooke Animal Clinic to try to help locate the source of his random pain. Two types of x-rays were taken, as well as a thyroid test.

Eddie’s pain became more frequent and he was taken back to Rockbrooke on January 24, 2011, he was given a steroid shot, an anti-inflammatory, as well as some pain medication. Eddie was put on restricted exercise and was on medication twice daily to help reduce the random bouts of pain.

On February 8th, 2011, after many weeks of testing and another set of x-rays, Eddie was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease syndrome. The x-rays showed deposits of calcium were building up between some of the spaces in Eddie’s spine, a few spaces in the neck and a few in the hip area, that will act as a pinch on his nerves during random movements. The diagnosis of intervertebral disc disease syndrome has changed things dramatically for Eddie.

Wag n Train Terrier Rescue and Rockbrooke Animal Clinic are working to provide Eddie a pain management program using medications, medical procedures, and alternative therapies including acupuncture. We are sure by maintaining this care, he will live a long and happy, relatively pain-free, life.

Update March 15, 2011:

Eddie had his second acupuncture appointment. The first appointment, Eddie was screaming (like a 5-year-old child at the ER) and was knocking out needles every few minutes.

This time he sat nicely on the table, panting since he does still have pain. We did not have to replace any needles and he also got some electrotherapy. Laser therapy is his favorite as it ends his acupuncture session and is a warm massaging sensation.

These sessions are really benefitting Eddie. He has more energy, less pain, and better movement and has a better disposition. He has another appointment on Friday and I expect him to get better and better as we continue. This is a great therapeutic way to help Eddie, and I enjoy the soothing music as well. LOL.

Krystian Howe, ABC Certified Dog Trainer

Update April 2, 2011

Eddie has been going to acupuncture for four weeks now. I am happy to say that he picked up his first toy today. He has officially started to act like a Westie. Yesterday he barked and ran the fence to chase a squirrel!!!! I wish my camera had been in range when all of this happened. It’s great to see him start being a Terrier.

Krystian Howe, ABC Certified Dog Trainer

Update September 11, 2011

In the spring of 2011, our group applied for and received a WestieMed grant for Eddie, a five-year-old Westie with random pain that our vet diagnosed as invertebral disc disease. The grant allowed us to pursue acupuncture and laser therapy for Eddie, alleviating his pain and allowing him to live without medication. Eddie has made such progress with his treatments and was able to jump on the furniture and navigate stairs with no problem in his foster home. Eddie also learned many tricks and commands from his foster mom who posted a YouTube video of him performing on our FaceBook page. The happiest news of all is that Eddie was adopted yesterday and will be the beloved family member and cherished companion of a twelve-year-old boy, who was also adopted. We wish Eddie and his new family many years of love and happiness and want to also express our gratitude and appreciation to WestieMed for the financial aid to help Eddie live a normal, pain-free life.

Thanks again WestieMed!

Respectfully,
Janeal Dominico, CPDT
Wag N Train Terrier Rescue
Omaha NE