Little Abby’s Journey: She was rescued by Westie Rescue Indiana (Kentucky & Ohio) from a puppy mill in March 2014. She was living a sad life and used as a breeding machine for seven years. WRI had her vetted and spayed and she was given all of her vaccinations. Abby also had her first real bath and was pampered & groomed. Abby was ready for her new life. Within a few weeks of having her spayed, Abby began to lose weight. She was only eighteen pounds, to begin with at the time of her rescue. But, over the next several weeks she began to lose weight for no apparent reason.
Abby continued to drop weight and muscle mass and quickly dropped to nine pounds. She under the care of an experienced veterinarian who was very concerned about Abby’s overall health. Since she was getting weaker and lame she started a high calorie/protein type of food. Over the next few two weeks, she remained under a watchful eye – medicine & special recovery food. Abby was eating and getting fluids from the special diet, but still not gaining any weight back. With a continued visit to the vet’s office & monitoring her blood, stool and eating habits it was the process of elimination to see if we could find out what was wrong with this little Westie. It was recommended that we may need to monitor her digestive path with an x-ray to see if her food was moving. The x-rays discovered “masses” causing blockage which was not allowing her to digest food or get the nutrition she so desperately needs. More extensive test was needed.
Abby’s next step was to be evaluated at a Specialty Veterinary facility in Louisville, were further tests could be done to see if it could be determined what was causing her such problems. The specialist diagnosed Abby with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Which can be managed and treatment started immediately. We had feared the worse for this little girl, but now with special food & medication and several months of patience, Abby is expected to make a full recovery.
Since being diagnosed — it’s been over a month and her treatments are slowly helping. She gained a whopping four ounces which brings her to nine pounds four ounces. She is diagnosed with Lymphoplasmacytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease and decreased Cobalamin levels. This is a treatable medical condition & with a special diet (Gastrointestinal Health Hills i/d) and she has to stay on this food forever. Abby has a long recovery period, WRI is committed to helping this tiny lady.
Today Abby is initiating play, loves to take walks around the yard and is getting stronger each day. Her appetite is still low, but her Foster Mom is keeping her on the prescribed strict diet and slowly weaning her off the medications (steroid) – she is on her way to enjoy a normal life. Her Foster Mom bakes her special treats from her prescribed dog food.
Abby is a special dog. Her tender heart, her elegant dainty lady-like composure reminds you of Aubrey Hepburn or Jackie Onassis. But underneath that, she is a fighter, a survivor, a Westie who is ready to chase squirrels through the yard. Her strength to survive has been a miracle in itself and the determination she has taught us a lesson of never giving up.
Thank you WestieMed, Inc. for helping WRI help Abby and providing financial support for medical needs to amazing Westies like Abby.
Update July 12, 2015
Sadly to say, little Abby did not survive. All efforts were made to save her but her little body had been pushed to the limit. She quit eating and continued losing weight. Had no quality of life. She knew love and was kept comfortable. I am the one that fostered her through it all and I was with her at the end.
Thank you WestieMed for all of your help and support.
Johndra Sanders
WRI
KY Rescue Coordinator