September 2005:
Breezey and Woody are seven-month-old siblings Westies. Born in a puppy mill, they are from a litter of four …all of which were very sickly. Breezey and Woody are the only two that survived but have remained sickly since their birth. Of course, sickly puppies do not sell, and veterinarians cost a lot of money. Inasmuch as the breeder could not sell sick puppies and did not want to pay the vet costs needed to help them, the pups were released to rescue.
Breezey and Woody are tiny…less than half the size they should be at this age. Both suffer from stunted growth, respiratory disease, conjunctival discharge, a degree of lethargy and depression, anemia, marked leukocytosis (inflammation), mildly elevated serum globulins, and nucleated red blood cells.
Test after test after test has all come back negative for what could be causing their illness. Distemper, toxoplasmosis, Ehrlichia…all negative. No vomiting, diarrhea, or urination problems. No evidence of liver shunts.
It is possible that they could have been exposed to some sort of toxins early in their life. It is also possible that the combined effects of drastic malnutrition and some prior viral illness and possibly the use of steroids early in life could have caused these problems. Their symptoms best toxoplasmosis or similar type of organism…but so far, the things for which there are tests have all come back negative. There are disorders for which there are not adequate tests, such as sorcocystis. They are currently living at the hospital and being treated with antibiotics and vitamin supplements. They have good days and bad days. It is very frustrating.
These pups have fought to live for this long. They have a will to live, and we want to give them every chance possible to recover. The pups are still very ill, and more testing may be necessary to continue to try to determine a cause. We simply do not have the funds to continue medical care for these pups as it is costing a small fortune…and the vet bill is growing every day they remain at the hospital. Without question, if WestieMed had not agreed to help, these pups would not be alive today.
We are very grateful to WestieMed for enabling us to give these pups a chance at a healthy life. We also appreciate the public’s response upon hearing about the pups’ struggle to live. If anyone would like to help us help Breezey and Woody, please consider making a monetary contribution to WestieMed. WestieMed is Wonderful!
Thank you WestieMed and your supporters – From all of us at Westie Rescue of Greater Washington (D.C).
Update, September 25, 2005:
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Breezey passed away. Please keep Woody in your thoughts and prayers as he is still fighting for his life.
Update, September 30, 2005:
Sadly, Woody has joined his sister Breezey at the Rainbow Bridge.
We’d like to thank everyone at the Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital for all of their efforts to save Breezey and Woody. We’d especially like to thank Veterinarian Dr. Daher and Vet Assistant Wendy Opel for their tireless efforts and personal commitment to the pups; and to WestieMed, without whose assistance the top-notch veterinary care would not have been possible.
And to everyone who donated toward Breezey and Woody’s vet bills, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We certainly encourage you to continue to support the efforts of WestieMed. WestieMed’s commitment to helping the most seriously ill rescue Westies may one day benefit the entire Westie community; for someday, treatment may be found for something which otherwise would have necessitated a Westie being euthanized because it would otherwise be too cost-prohibitive to diagnose and/or treat.
Rest in peace sweet Breezey and Woody….’till we meet again…