I had been friends with the local Humane Societies for several months as my two large ‘outside’ dogs, a golden Shepherd named Lucy and a black lab named Abby, went missing at the end of Jan 2011. I checked the new pics on the local Humane Societies’ homepages regularly just hoping to find them and bring them home. (We have since adopted a Collie mix from another local Humane Society.) I saw “Patti’s” pitiful picture on their page early in the week, and on Friday when I took off from work to spend the day with my husband, I suggested we go by the Shelter and “just look” at the little Westie. We did not need another dog since we also have a ten yr old Shih Tzu, Lil’ Dixie Darlin, inside the house! When we arrived at the Shelter, they were delighted that we had come to see “Patti”. The worker that had been taking care of her for several months met us at the gate and said that we were the only ones that had even looked twice at Patti. Patti had a skin condition that the worker had been trying to treat within the Shelter’s means. I was familiar that Westies could have skin problems if they were not taken care of; I had done a lot of research about Westies after my daughter had gotten her sweet Westie, Bella, over a year and a half ago. (I never knew Westies were so sweet until my daughter got hers!) Patti’s skin had turned black over most of her body (reportedly due to neglect and the conditions that she was living in with her previous owner, who had surrendered her several months prior), and a lot of her hair had fallen out. The efforts of this worker had definitely paid off because Patti’s hair had begun to grow back already. Her skin looked thick similar to ‘elephant’ skin, especially on her legs. The worker mentioned that her skin had a slight odor that probably indicated a yeast infection. What hair she did have felt like dry straw unlike the soft hair of my daughter’s Westie.
We adopted Patti on Friday, May 20, 2011, not really sure what we had gotten ourselves into! There was a great deal of dandruff on her blanket the next morning, and she had thrown up at least once. Since we had some reservations about her skin condition as well as her health and exposing our other dogs to her, we took her to our Veterinarian for a physical on Saturday. The doctor predicted that Patti was about two years old. She examined her thoroughly, and prescribed Cephalexin capsules, antibiotic drops for her ears, and advised to give Benadryl for the itching. She also recommended an anti-microbial shampoo which I already had at home. By this time we had played around with several different names that would suit her better than Patti; we finally settled with the name “Peppi” since she answered it and was somewhat suitable to a Westie’s personality.
Her first two weeks with us were filled with good days and bad. She would take her medicine really well for me, even her ear drops. She threw up several more times in the first week, but not enough to worry too much since her appetite was still good. She would be very active one day playing wide open, and the next she would be sluggish and just lay around. One evening I found a large knot on the back of her head and was determined I would probably have to take her back to the vet the next day, but when I felt for the knot the next morning, amazingly it was gone! By this time, I had gotten online to research about her skin condition. I began to use Nizoral shampoo along with with the anti-microbial shampoo every four to five days. It seemed to help soothe her skin and help with dandruff. I also read about Westie success stories on the natural supplement, Skin-Eze. I ordered a thirty day supply of the Skin-eze capsules to try. The one thing that sold me on this natural supplement is the lack of side effects as opposed to some of the steroidal treatments.
Peppi – WestieMed Recipient
We have had Peppi for a month now and we have seen a tremendous improvement in her skin and in the way she feels. She has been on the Skin-Eze for about twenty-two days. Her hair is gradually growing back, and the dandruff is gone. She loves to play with my daughter’s Westie, Bella, when she comes to visit since they are about the same age. We have to settle them down at times because they get to playing so roughly! My daughter has also fallen in love with her and recently volunteered to keep her in Oxford along with her Westie while I was gone for a week on a business trip. She told me she was not sure if she would bring her home because she was so sweet!
I am very thankful for WestieMed and how they have provided the information and support to help me give Peppi the proper care. I know there is not a quick fix for Peppi’s skin condition and hair loss, but WestieMed has fulfilled its mission one more time by helping to raise the quality of life for Peppi. Her personality is not as bold and spirited as my daughter’s Westie, but she loves to get her ears scratched and her tummy rubbed. She will nip at my hand if I stop petting her! I am very proud to be the one to give her the love, care, and attention that she needs! Thank you, WestieMed for being there!
In mid-April, WRT received a call from our friends at Young-Williams Animal Shelter in Knoxville, TN that they had a sweet little male Westie that had been picked up as a stray and no one ever came looking for him. Paddy was estimated to be about two years old.
Thankfully, they work with us and know to call us before putting one up for adoption to the general public. We arranged to have one of our East TN volunteers pick him up and transport him to us in Middle TN. We got a full vet report from the shelter vet (which is rare), along with two well-defined x-rays (which is even MORE rare that they would send those to us!), that identified a bad break in this little fella’s left rear leg.
We got him checked out again by our vet here in Franklin, and it was determined by her and by the orthopedic vet she uses that the break would cause little Paddy to lose his leg, if not corrected surgically quickly. The break had not healed correctly and needed to be re-broken, the femur shaved down and reset correctly. It was also identified by our vet that he suffered from a strain of Mange (thankfully not the contagious kind!), and he would need medicated dips every two weeks along, with two to three rounds of antibiotic (Baytril). We are happy to report that his skin condition is improving, and thanks to WestieMed, he will soon resume his life has a rambunctious, happy little Westie boy that can “zoom” around a room or outside with his other terrier friends!
We look forward to giving you many wonderful updates and pictures of this exceptionally sweet boy! Thank you again from the bottom of our Westie Rescue of Tennessee hearts!
Sweet little Kate came to Westie Rescue Southeast in October 2010. Our friends at the Tuscaloosa, AL Animal Shelter called to tell us of a little Westie girl that needed a rescue to take her in. Kate had been dropped off there with another family pet. The owner explained that she “just couldn’t deal with them any longer!”
Kate had some food aggression with other dogs, even though she would let a human reach down while she was eating and remove her food bowl with no problems. She also had a small growth that was hardly noticeable unless you looked very closely at her front upper gums. WRSE took Kate to the vet for her exam, tests and then had her altered. The vet didn’t think the little growth was anything to be concerned about and it certainly did not detract from Kate’s beautiful little face or cause her any discomfort.
Kate was almost adopted several times; however, her food aggression with other pets always seemed to rule her out with one family after another. It was determined that Kate should be an only pet in order to give her a better chance at happiness in a forever home. After five months, a wonderful home in South Carolina was found for Kate. A retired couple with no other pets and no children in the home had seen Kate on Petfinder and contacted WRSE about her. They drove to Nashville to meet Kate and she bonded with them immediately. She had never been as calm as she was in her new Dad’s lap!
Kate had not returned to the vet because there had been no reason to. She was in great health, had a great appetite and wasn’t due for any vaccinations for several months. As with most new pet owners, Kate’s Mom and Dad took her to their vet for a little visit the week after they adopted her. The news was not good. Kate’s little growth on her upper front gums had spread quickly into the roof of her mouth and around the back of her front teeth and was very fast-growing and invasive. Her new parents were falling more in love with her every day but were not up to the emotional or financial demands of what was now being called an aggressive tumor. After less than a week of furever home bliss little Kate was coming back to WRSE. We immediately had a wedge biopsy done before Kate left SC and thankfully it came back negative for cancer. Once back in Nashville, Kate was seen by our vet and he referred her to a veterinary surgeon.
Thanks to WestieMed, we were able to have Kate’s fast-spreading, invasive mouth tumor removed. The surgery also required six of her teeth to be removed, however, the surgeon was able to work around her K-9s (fang teeth). Kate was an excellent patient, all of the massive tumors was removed and her surgeon feels that it will not return.
WRSE has had quite a few very sick dogs and dogs needing extensive surgery during this past year. Our very young, although very active, rescue group was running on empty as far as funding for another expensive medical need. Being able to turn to a very special group of people that have hearts full of love and helping hands when it comes to Westies was what WRSE and little Kate needed. Thanks to this caring group of Westie lovers, Kate is on the road to complete recovery and will be looking over some new adoption applications in a couple of weeks! Kate will soon be adopted and begin a very happy and healthy new life! She will be able to do so because of the generosity of WestieMed.
Sherry Moore Westie Rescue Southeast
Update July 13, 2012
Kate is living a wonderful life in Ohio. She sends messages by e-mail! It did not take her long to train her people. She has told me of training her Dad to sit on the floor in front of the recliner when she is in the mood to really “stretch out” in their recliner! Kate is very loving, and also very smart!
Hi… It’s Katie Thomas… apparently today is a holiday in Loveland, OH – it’s “Lucky Dog Day – 7/11”, which is great ‘cause it’s also one year ago today that I found “him and her”. A lot has happened since then, almost all of it revolving around walks and belly-rubs and playing — I’ve been very busy. My people seem much happier than they did when I first met them… I take full credit for that, ‘cause as you see I have “Westietude”! So have a big bowl of nibbles on me to celebrate the holiday.
Love and thanks, Katie Thomas
Thanks so much to everyone at WestieMed for helping Katie and allowing her to move on to adoption. Katie’s surgery was a huge success and she is now the center of her owner’s world! She is loving every minute of it and her wonderful world was made possible by WestieMed generosity. WestieMed Rocks!
In March eight dogs were rescued from a Missouri puppy mill. Foster homes were needed. We, the WHWTSOC, offered to take four of the dogs into our rescue program.
With the transport help of eighty-five (85) people, Geno, Penny, Maya and Connie arrived in Connecticut.
They were tired and very timid. They were vetted the very next day and found to be infected with giardia and treatment was immediately started. Two days later all were examined and blood work was done.
Geno had very high liver enzymes and was started on antibiotics and liver supplements. He was scheduled for an ultrasound and needle biopsy. It was determined that he did have a form of hepatitis, and possibly a bile duct blockage. Medication for this was started. A repeat blood panel showed the liver enzymes were coming down but not significant enough to do a dental or neutering. His other blood work improved to normal. Geno, whose appetite was poor, improved rather quickly once on medication. He is quite loveable but very close to his sister. He loves attention and will interact with his foster mom.
Penny, other than a limp and in need of dental work, was x-rayed with no clinical findings. She had her teeth done and was spayed. She is more outgoing than Geno or Maya. She would only eat out of your hand or off the floor.
Connie is the most outgoing of the four. Rather pushy when it comes to getting attention. She was losing some fur and when spayed, she still had some milk so it was obvious that she had recently whelped. A thyroid panel showed no problems as did all her routine blood work. She had her teeth tended to also.
Maya was very timid and would not come out of the crate and hid behind her two sisters. She only eats if no one is watching her. She had been shaved to the skin because of matting. Her physical exam showed extensive dental disease and required nine (9) extractions. She was spayed two weeks later. Still timid but she is coming along nicely.
All four love being outside on grass although at first walked very gingerly. They are learning how to walk on a leash, Maya is not so eager to give it a try.
Connie and Penny have found new forever homes and Maya hopefully will be going next week. Geno will not be available for adoption until he is completely healthy.
The new adoptive parents know they have their work cut out for them as these little fur kids still need to completely trust and experience the joys of a newfound life out of the living hell they were living in.
Our expenses were quite considerable and with the help of WestieMed we were able to give the four the care and treatment they deserved.
In the third week in November 2010, a co-worker had informed me that she knew of a 68-year-old woman who had an aggressive form of breast cancer and she could no longer take care of her dog, Finnegan aka Finn. Finn’s owner refused to have her double mastectomy and undergo chemo treatments for her breast cancer until she found someone to take care of her dog and give him a home during her treatment. Since I had cancer and am in remission, I decided to try and pay it forward by taking care of Finn.
Finn was described to me as being a quiet dog that loved being outside, he loved human food and he was not housebroken. I picked up Finn after my second job which ended late in the evening. Finn was very scared but he was great in the car ride to my house. I set up Finn’s pen in my dining room with his favorite baby blankets that were given to me when I picked him up and we settled on the first night.
Over the next few days, Finn assessed his new surroundings and his new housemate, my cat Buster. He enjoyed peeing all over my home including on me at times. I was clear that Finn was a dog’s dog; he loved having free roam of the fenced-in yard, dug holes in the flower garden, played in the puddles of mud after the rain and he was definitely not the pretty white dog you see on the Cesar’s dog food commercials. Finn rarely barked but I started to notice that whenever I would call for Finn to come in from the yard I would get no response and would have to physically pick him up to bring him into the house.
I scheduled an appointment for Finn to be groomed because his hair was matted and dirty; he also smelled foul. The groomer worked her wonders on Finn, he looked so cute with his new hair cut and his trimmed nails. The groomer was an abundance of information because I had never had a Westie before and did not know that they had allergies or that they had special needs. I was also informed that I should take Finn to the veterinarian immediately because his ears were closed due to an infection. Now I understood why Finn did not bark or respond to being called.
I whisked Finn off to the veterinarian where I was told again that Finn had an infection that affected his ears and was causing the blackness on his belly. The veterinarian showed me how to clean Finn’s ears, prescribed antibiotic ointment and Ketoconazole. Finn’s ear treatments took place twice a day for two weeks but there was no guarantee that he would regain his hearing.
Even before the first week of ear treatments were over it was like I was taking care of a totally different dog. At first, Finn started to cock his head to one side when he thought he had heard a loud sound but still no bark. The blackness on his belly simultaneously started to slightly fade. Then one day when Finn was walking on the tile floor the sound of his own nails clicking against the tile made him jump, I knew that the medicine for his ears was working. By the end of the second week of ear treatments, Finn would come when he was called, sat when you asked him to and would bark at the train passing my back yard because he could now hear it. It was like watching a baby discover the world.
On February 9, 2011, I took Finn to the vet because the black yeast was growing again on his belly. The veterinarian prescribed a combination of Ketoconazole and Clavamox pills to be given simultaneously, along with washing Finn twice a week. A few days after starting this pill regiment Finn started vomiting, I contacted the veterinarian and was curtly told that I must not be giving Finn enough food with his pills. The next day, on his second day of vomiting, I packed Finn’s weak body in the car and went to the vet’s office. They ran all sorts of tests and determined that Finn had an allergic reaction to the Clavamox, resulting in his kidneys shutting down and he had acute Pancreatitis. Finn spent the next four days in the hospital.
Finn came home with new antibiotics but the very next day I had him back at the veterinarian’s office because he still wasn’t drinking or eating. Finn was given IV fluids, I was told he was dehydrated. I was also told that Finn was hand-fed turkey and ham at the vets. I picked him up that night. Finn was now removed from all drugs except for an appetite stimulant. Two days passed, Finn began banging his nose on his bowl and whining, not eating in spite of the prescribed appetite stimulant. I looked in his mouth and discovered that the tip of his tongue was discolored and mangled. He was unable to eat or drink anything. The vet said Finn had a piece of his tongue missing and that that was a result of the Pancreatitis and gave me pain killers for Finn.
Before anything else happened to Finn I realized I had to find out more about his present condition. I researched Westies, the yeast infections and the medications prescribed by the vet. I learned that these allergies and yeast formations were preventable with a little work and the correct diet. The vet didn’t know or didn’t share this information with me. I discovered the two medications given to Finn that started this particular episode should not have been given at the same time. I was beside myself and furious that this drug cocktail practically killed this lovable little dog. During my quest to be better informed about Finnegan I found your site WestieMed.
February was a long month and I thought that Finn was not going to make it but Finn has recuperated. This is no longer a life and death situation for Finn. He now is back to his playful self and is on a modified diet due to his Pancreatitis. Finn has learned to use his shorter tongue and is eating without problems.
Unfortunately, due to the effects of the treatment for breast cancer the lady I rescued Finn from had to move into a nursing home and Finn can no longer return to her. I have been fostering Finn and will keep him indefinitely.
I have reviewed WestieMed’s website extensively and I have implemented some of the diet and skin regime from the links WestieMed provided. Your website has been a plethora of information, providing me with the tools to make sure that Finn remains healthy and most importantly happy. Cathy
Update June 16, 2011
To let you know Finn is doing excellent.
He is enjoying his summer sunning himself on my deck when he is not chasing the trains that pass my fenced in backyard. It seems that summer is Finn’s favorite season and he refuses to come in until approximately 9 pm every night.
Finn’s skin condition is doing well. Again, thanks to the information on WestieMed, and he has had no need to go to the vet for anything other than his vaccines. Catherine Fazio
Update July 6, 2012
Finn is doing great, he has only needed to go to the vet for his annual visits. Finn is an obedient, smart, fun and loving dog. He still loves chasing the trains when they enter his domain in the back yard.
The black yeast has stopped growing due to weekly baths and a good diet. I lather Finn up with Castile Soap – Peppermint, which helps any calm skin irritation and removes the dirt from all the digging that Finn does in the backyard. Then I give him a quick rinse along and I wash him with Malaseb Shampoo. I use a soft natural boar’s hair scrub brush to rub the soap on Finn, he enjoys the massage and this also aids in keeping the yeast away. Finn eats only Grain-free and Beef free food.
Finn has playdates and sleepovers with my friend’s dog Rocco. Finn has also taken on the role of “big brother” to one of the three feral kitten’s we rescued this year, their names are Mike, Ike, and Miss Hissy. Finn has adopted Mike and treats Mike as if he were a dog. Mike follows Finn everywhere, they share toys and play together all the time. Finn has been trying to play with Ike and Miss Hissy the same way he does with Mike but they are afraid of Finn still. I am sure that Finn will win them over in no time.
Once again thank you, if it weren’t for the information and assistance I received from WestieMed I don’t think Finn or I would have survived. I will send you a picture of Finn this weekend. Cathy
Emily was surrendered to Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission (WARM) by the family of her deceased owner in early May of last year. According to reports, she was in deplorable condition and obviously had been through some rough times. When she was turned over to WARM she had very little hair (likely a result of neglect and abandonment) and her skin was in terrible condition. Her teeth were also in very bad condition. After several months at WARM, she was listed on Petfinder. The Petfinder notes indicated in part: “After being on a strict diet and premium food at WARM her hair is now growing in and she is going to be a real cutie…She was born around 2002, making her about 8…is still full of life and is so friendly and just loves everyone who comes to see her…is up to date with routine shots and spayed/neutered”.
Emily’s situation came to my attention while I was searching Petfinder for a special needs Westie that I could perhaps sponsor in memory of Duchess. Duchess crossed the Bridge on Feb. 16 after a six wks battle with kidney failure/gall bladder disease. Contact was made with WARM and a visit with Emily scheduled for July 27th. WARM had focused on Emily’s hair/skin condition, giving her lime-sulfur dips, baths, and good food. She had a full coat at the time of my visit, and the uneven growth reflected her hair loss had been substantial. Emily was a very loving, happy little girl. She would stand up on her hind legs and just smile! Emily was being housed in a crate, going out for leased walks. WARM had recently taken in a large number of dogs and appeared to be at capacity. While out for the visit, we noticed Emily was urinating quite often so an appointment was scheduled for her to see the vet. The application process was started and arrangements made for contact after Emily’s trip to the vet. I was touched that after all Emily had been through, she still was loving and trusting of me. Emily’s bloodwork and urinalysis checked out ok during the vet visit on the 29th, and although she did have diluted urine there was no sign of diabetes or crystals, etc. I received an e-mail telling me “Emily would be delighted to go with you to a new and loving home.” I drove to Conway on August 5th to complete the adoption process and bring Emily home. She was on a precautionary low dose of Baytril and a followup will be done by her new vet.
Emily quickly settled into her new home, becoming best buds with McDuffy (four years. old Westie mix) and seemingly felt right at home. She does her share of trying to rid the neighborhood of squirrels and cat by barking at them, loves her squeaky toys, and enjoys a nap on the sofa after having a bowl of kibble. She and McDuffy play chase, “squeaky” keep away, and toy “take away” (pre-ACL activities). Mandee, seventeen-year-old blind Chihuahua, just tries to stay out of their way. After settling in, we focused on health and beauty issues. Grooming was first and then vet followup on 8/16. Her right ear had a deep infection, was cleaned, treated and was put on Tribrissen 120 mg. Rechecked 8/30, clearing up. She went in on 10/4 for her dental, heavy tartar but no extractions needed, gums irritated and Clindamycin 23 mg. prescribed. She came out with pearly whites and smiled at me to show them off. Yeah – health and beauty goals met!
2010 was a tough year for little Miss Emily, losing her family, home, having several severe health issues, being moved into group housing and then on to a new home. She is such a courageous girl, never complaining, just goes with the flow. With a new forever home and her health issues taken care of, we hope for a better New Year.
On Jan. 5, Emily was sick with vomiting and became dehydrated. Her bloodwork was good, fluids administered, Cerenia and bland food for four days and all was well after several days.
Emily – WestieMed Recipient
On Jan. 18, Emily injured her left back leg while running after a squirrel, was not able to put it down at all. Off we go to see Dr. Suggs again – Emily really likes him and always smiles at him – this is a good thing as we have been seeing him often! The examination revealed an ACL injury with surgery recommended and scheduled for the following morning, Jan. 19. The ACL was torn completely, was surgically repaired and total recuperation may take as much as four to six months. Emily came through the surgery just fine, had a recheck on Jan. 31 and went in to get stitches removed on Feb. 7. After a thorough exam, Dr. Suggs feels the knee is healing as it should. Miss Em is slowly beginning to use the leg. She will continue to be on restricted activity and leash walks for a while yet. The next recheck is on Feb. 21.
And through it all, Miss Em continues to smile (and try to kill the green frog squeaky toy)!
I am so very thankful, WestieMed, for your assistance with the medical bills incurred for ACL surgery – that is such a tremendous help. It is indeed a Godsend to me! Emily, McDuffy and I are also very appreciative of the help you have given to Westies through the years. As evidenced by the stories posted on your website, you have made a huge difference in the lives of many!
May God Bless you and yours.
Alice
Update February 23, 2011
Emily is beginning to use the repaired leg a little more this week, primarily at a slow walk, walking on it a little. She went for a recheck on Monday, Feb. 21. The doctor was pleased she has begun walking some on the leg. He said the knee is still “tight” but there is a loss of muscle mass in the leg, We are to continue leashed walks for exercise to rehab. and call him in a month (unless a need arises for earlier contact) to update him on her progress. Emily continues to be a happy, loving little girl and is still giving the green squeaky frog toy a trouncing!
Alice
Update March 13, 2011
Many thanks to WestieMed for providing funds for Emily’s surgery. She is an adorable little girl and deserves the best life possible. I have enclosed a picture of Emily after trouncing the fearsome frogs! She is still limping but she seems more active.
Thanks again and God Bless.
Alice
Update January 1, 2012
Emily sends wishes for a Happy New Year to you, the staff and volunteers at WestieMed. Hoping you have a wonderful year. Thanks again for the help with Emily’s medical expenses. She is doing well, seems to have fully recovered from the ACL injury she had in January 2011. She had a relatively short bout with allergy problems in the fall. A round of medications and change to Earthborn Coastal Catch food appears to be working. She is truly a blessing – always happy and such a wonderful companion. She continues to work towards making our neighborhood a cat-free squirrel free environment!!!! May God bless WestieMed, the staff, volunteers and the little ones seeking help. I pray God will provide in abundance …….
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
One evening late last August, I was on the computer and saw a message come in from Westie Rescue of Missouri’s (WRM) Facebook discussion board. Four months earlier I wrote a post about a recurrence of furunculosis in my eight-year-old former mill dog, PeachPie – the issue had long since resolved. A reply was posted, and I was tempted to ignore it but opened it anyway. It simply read that the writer was encouraged that my dog’s ailment had healed at least once…her dog’s hadn’t and it had been a very long time. I wrote her back and said I’d try to help with some info, but it would take a while because I was swamped. An email came back saying she (Lisa) understood and she would wait. She included a photo of her dog, Dodger, taken that evening. It stopped me in my tracks.
From the photo, Dodger, a two year, eight-month-old Westie, had a horrible growth under his chin and huge, awful looking paws. I was pretty dumbfounded but learned Dodger lived in central Louisiana and had been seen by numerous vets and even LSU Veterinary Clinic. No one really seemed to know what was wrong, what to do, or how to do it. One vet diagnosed Dodger with “the canine equivalent of Scleroderma” and recommended Dodger be put down.
I sent the photo along with the medical reports Lisa had emailed to everyone I knew and heard back from Karen Simondet. She offered to send the reports/photos to specialists she knew in California, but it was Labor Day weekend, and it took a little more than two weeks for the information to come back. Both the specialist and Westie Specialist, Dr. Kay believed Dodger’s problems were allergy-based bacterial and yeast infections.
WRM recommended I contact BJ – a woman with a lot of experience in holistic alternatives for info as well. For two months Karen, BJ, and I tried to support Lisa and Dodger from a distance but he got worse. By mid-October I received a heartbreaking email from Lisa. Dodger’s “chin mass” got worse and ruptured and his feet were no better. Lisa said for the first time in two and a half years, she no longer believed she could get Dodger well.
Lisa, Karen, BJ and I came up with a plan for Dodger to come up to me – just outside of St Louis – close to BJ. We thought if nothing else a new environment and a new vet might help. And WRM gave Dodger WRM Honoree Rescue status, allowing my vet to “officially” treat Dodger as a dog in rescue – waiving many fees and substantially discounting care and supplies.
On November 1, 2010, Lisa arrived from a two-day drive from Louisiana with Dodger in tow. Dodger exceeded all of our worst expectations. The first night alone, the smell of yeast was simply awful-within an hour the house reeked. Dodger went to the yard, but unfamiliar with its terrain, he tripped several times, breaking open some of the growths on his feet. They just oozed more. I called to get a vet appointment the next day and Lisa headed out to start her long trip back to Louisiana. Through all of this, Dodger was the sweetest dog and acted like everything was ok. He seemed to smile when he looked at me.
When I took Dodger to the vet the next day, the technician came in to get Dodger’s history and to look at him. You could just tell by the look on her face. She left the room and returned with my vet a few minutes later. By that time the exam room reeked. When Dr. Chris came in, he was friendly and professional as always, but the look on his face spoke volumes.
Dr. Chris didn’t know what to think about it all. He’d seen some pretty bad things before, but nothing like Dodger. He took some samples for cultures and dressed Dodger’s front feet in an antibiotic ointment. He changed the oral antibiotic from Baytril to Cephalexin and reduced Dodger’s two-month-long 10mg/day Prednisone dose down to 5mg/day. He increased Dodger’s Ketoconazole to 1/4 tab twice a day and later to 1/2 tab 2x/day. He also wanted daily cleaning of Dodger’s “chin mass” by scrubbing with Malaseb equivalent shampoo. He immediately took Dodger off the Metacam he’d been taking occasionally for pain and put him on Tramadol. Dodger also went on Doxycycline for a month when E-coli was present per the sensitivity cultures. Dodger also went on a limited ingredient diet to help his immune system to return to normal.
I asked Dr. Chris if he’d mind me bringing Dodger in every week or so, just to make sure everything was okay. After he looked at me like I was from Mars, he told me Dodger would be coming in every two to three days “for a while”. “Awhile” was a month.
Dodger’s first month was difficult. He ran into numerous problems – terribly constipated from a raw-only diet I’d put him on within his first week, sick from Ketoconazole, frustrated at having his feet and chin squeezed and prodded by the vet three times a week, and frustrated with rough scrubbings of his chin every day. For a while, the infections got worse too. But he never had a bad day and never growled through any of it. He always seemed to smile as if he knew I was there to help him, not hurt him.
In early December Dr. Chris biopsied three of the feet after Dodger had more problems with his feet. At this time, Pat Baker, an avid Westie lover, and groomer that I know through Facebook suggested I ask my vet to look into a compounded antifungal to help with Dodger’s nausea and anorexia, as her own dog experienced the same problems with the drugs.
My vet ordered a compounded Itraconazole and WRM helped with Dodger’s two-month supply. Within two days of that change, Dodger’s appetite bounced back and within a week the yeast began to retreat. The biopsies came back with the paw problems being follicular in origin. By mid-December Dodger was also off Doxycycline and down to 5 mg Prednisone on alternating days. His dressings came off and he was changed to 2x/day soaks/scrubs of his feet and chin and the vet gave us the okay to use immune-boosting supplements, so BJ developed Dodger’s nutritional support/supplementation plan. Dodger also remained on his very limited ingredient diet which the owner of a specialty grooming and specialty dog food store a few towns over chose for him.
By mid-December, Dodger was doing very well and the vet wanted to cut away the granulomas to his feet and to cut away Dodger’s “chin mass” that never did stop producing sterile pus. The vet believed surgery would reduce the opportunity for yeast and infection to grow/hide and would give Dodger a better quality of life. Dodger had to wait three weeks for my schedule to allow for his surgery – it was scheduled for 1/3/11. In the interim, he went to once a day soaks/scrubs.
Lisa relinquished Dodger to me on New Year’s Day because she loved him dearly and wanted this sweet boy to live knowing that returning him to Louisiana could be very detrimental to his health.
Dodger’s surgery was done on 1/3/11 and inside each granuloma, on each paw, the vet found a hardened mass of infected hair follicle. The chin mass had little blood supply but was still laden with pus. Dodger will return to the vet tomorrow to remove the bandages to his three paws. Later this month he will have allergy testing. And after that, he will have teeth cleaning due to the hyperplasia of his gums. They aren’t expected to improve. Dodger also needs specially formulated heartworm prevention that costs more than regular preventative, and because he had a bad skin reaction to Revolution, he has to take Comfortis for flea/tick prevention.
As you can imagine, Dodger’s vet bills, food bills, and supplements have been quite high these past two months, even with my vet’s generosity. The grant Dodger’s received from WestieMed will do so much – paying for this week’s surgery, upcoming allergy testing and serum, the dental cleaning and medications, special heartworm prevention, and Comfortis. By the end of this month, we expect Dodger to primarily require preventative maintenance medications and baths as well as a limited ingredient diet. We’re thankful to everyone who’s been involved with Dodger’s journey, the support we’ve received from Facebook connections, most of whom we’ve never met and from WestieMed for supporting Dodger and helping us cover his medical bills. Sometimes it was that support that got us from a bad day to the next day! It really DID take a village to give Dodger his life back.
Thank you WestieMed! We will keep you updated on Dodger’s progress.
Daine and John Brundage and Dodger Westie Dog (DWD)
Update January 8, 2011
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
DWD pulled out of his back right leg bandage yesterday and again this morning while I was running errands. When I came home I could see it had bled a little. His front right foot is hurting him a lot again today. And after the vet visit, DWD insisted on running in the field for a while with Sandy Neighbor Dog – so he’s probably going to be pretty sore for the rest of the day and into tomorrow. The vet visit went well. We should have the bandages off Monday. He continues on California Natural Lamb/Rice and Bravo lamb grind and California Natural Lamb/Rice (with oatmeal) bars (treats). He will stay on 250 mg Ceph 3x/day through January and then down to 2x/day. He will stay on the Itraconazole compound through January and then probably to ketoconazole every other day. He’s changed from every other day Pred to 5 mg on MWF. He still takes zinc. He gets coconut oil, Prozyme, and Wobenzyme as supplements. He gets Animax applied to his chin 3x/day and will get it on his feet 2x/day when the bandages come off for a while. He will get allergy testing in about three weeks.
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
While we were at the vet today, there was a tiny Rottie mix puppy that Dodger was very interested in so he got to check the pup out and he was very gentle with the pup, it was very cute. Everyone at the vet’s office agrees that he’s never had a bad day through this all. Thanks again for caring about this LWD and have a great weekend. Daine
Update January 10, 2011
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
DWD had his bandages removed today and then ran alongside me while I went to get Sandy Neighbor Dog out. It was a little too much for him. The smaller of the granuloma on the right front foot was the deepest of all, it went all the way through to the bottom of his paw – but that was the ONLY one that did that. His feet are obviously swollen and hurt him a lot right now. He has Animax ointment on his feet/chin – 3x a day now and he’s wearing children’s athletic socks over his feet secured above the paw with self-sticking velcro. For they’ll get changed 2-3 x a day. His chin looks great. He goes back on Saturday to have the sutures removed. Dr. Chris put some sutures in where the big granuloma was cut away. DWD will have his allergy testing on 2/3/11. We want to sincerely thank you all again for the support you’ve given DWD and us. It’s made things so much easier.
Daine
Update January 15, 2011
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
DWD had the stitches from a couple of his toes removed this am. He’s doing very well and he’s healing nicely. He stopped taking tram on Tues or Wed night. He’s not having any pain and has definitely found his wag. He sat as quiet as he could while the stitches came out this morning, but became very brave and bossy and barked up a storm while sitting in John’s lap. There’s very little swelling of his paws – especially compared to Monday’s pics. But today we can tell that both of the huge granulomas – the big nasty pink/red one on his right front paw and the BIG, nasty black one on his left front paw actually did grow through the paw – top to the pad. Dodger will get a soak and light scrub of feet and chin for at least the next week. We are leaving his feet uncovered through most of the day now – covered and with Animax at night. I expect we’ll start using the malaseb spray again at night too before long. His medications and his supplements and food are still the same. In February he will go down to 2 Ceph/day and the vet will decide about the Pred and Ketoconazole or alternative then. Dodger Westie Dog will have his allergy testing blood drawn on 2/3/11. This will be the last update until 2/3/11 unless there’s something worth sharing. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support over the past two and a half months and for caring about this LWD. Lisa wrote to me yesterday and said she misses him terribly. She’s thrilled with his surgery and it’s the outcome so far though, and she starts college classes again on Monday and said she made the right decision to let DWD go.
Daine
Update February 2, 2011
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
DWD went back to the vet today. Dodger’s front feet are doing very well. So is his chin.
His rear left paw has some swelling and bloody draining. This is the foot that was lanced and biopsied in early December. No granuloma has grown, but this was a change for the worse compared to last month. His right ear has become much softer/thin, but the left ear is about as leathery as it was at last visit last month. His meds were changed to: Ceph 250 2x/day, ketoconazole 1/2 tab/day x 30 days, zinc daily, Pred on M/W/F. He’s still on prozyme but the vet wants him off wobenzyme for now. He still gets some coconut oil in his food each day. He gets Antimax on his paws at night and they are covered. He’ gotten the wraps off his left front paw quite a bit recently, and his feet aren’t covered during the day as it’s been very wet here. He had blood drawn for allergy testing today.
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
Oh – vet wants me to spray with Genesis spray once a week. DWD will probably go back to the vet when the allergy testing results are in – about ten days. Otherwise, DWD is doing well. He’s gotten bored with his treats and food, so that’s become a bit of a battle and he’s managed to grab others’ treats sometimes. He also has a very bad habit of eating things in the yard – birdseed, leaves, twigs, etc. He’s also grabbed and eaten some other dog’s hair (from clippers). Found a no-fail way to get him to take his meds. He gets them in a small amount of Bravo as I SHOW him another wad of Bravo. He’s greedy so he gobbles down the first wad with the meds, without his usual inspection, and goes for the second wad. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or thoughts. Thanks for caring about this LWD. Daine
Update April 6, 2011
Dodger – WestieMed Recipient
It’s been just over three months since Dodger had surgery to remove the masses to his three paws (fourth was done four months earlier as a test), so it seems like a good time to send an update. Dodge’s chin has healed nicely. And his paws are doing very well too, but they continue to be a challenge. Dodger’s had a couple more growths – one that the vet had to remove from the first paw that was done back in November. Dodger is holding his own but the paws still blister at times and always seem to drain – but not much. He gets a 15-20 minute foot soak and scrub with a boar bristle brush on most days, followed by Genesis spray to all paws. And every night he gets Antimax ointment rubbed in between his toes and his feet are covered with socks ’til morning. He’s been on allergy shots for almost two months now and is at ten-day intervals now. Dodger’s going to stay on a limited diet of California Natural Lamb & Rice, he also gets some peanut butter and raw food – but not much, and the occasional cat food he steals. One problem we have is that he has the equivalent of Pica for dogs. He eats a lot of what he finds outdoors – plants, grass, seed pods, you name it – he’s not fussy. Our vet decided its better for Dodger to remain on Ceph (2x/day), Ketoconazole (1/2 tab/day), and Pred (3x/wk) along with supplements and probiotics until Fall’s first hard frost than to risk it. But instead of going to the vet three to four times a week – now he goes about once a month. WestieMed, we can’t thank you enough for the assistance you provided with Dodger’s medical bills! Dodger, Daine, & John Brundage
Update December 20, 2011
Well, our first full year as Dodger’s permanent guardians is quickly coming to a close and what better time to send an update to WestieMed about him.
It’s been a year full of ups and downs for Dodger. Unfortunately, the growths on his feet returned and were removed several times, much more so on his front paws. We don’t know what stimulates their growth, but we’re pretty sure it’s environmental and he’s much worse in the humid, hot summer months.
In June Dodger got a very bad infection in one of his back legs that turned out to be pseudomonas, an opportunistic bacteria. He spent a month on Baytril and beat the infection but it was a scary time.
We’ve had lots of ups this year too! After Dodger’s pseudomonas episode, Dr. Chris decided to take him off the prednisone he’d been taking to suppress his immune system for well over a year and Dodger did great! Since then we’ve also cut his ketoconazole to 1/4 tab 3x/wk from 1/2 tab every day! Oh, and that “thing” that was cut off his chin in January – it never came back and all the hair grew back!
Dodger gets his allergy shots every month now and he eats a limited ingredient diet.
He doesn’t have to have to have his feet soaked and scrubbed anymore because we learned it didn’t really help him, we put Antimax antibiotic ointment on Dodger’s feet and cover them in socks each night. He’s been free of yeast infections this past year and that’s been wonderful! Also, there’ve been no lampshade collars for Dodger to endure since he joined our family in late 2010 and we’re really happy about that, too.
But Dodger’s skin is very thick which makes it quite difficult to give his allergy shots and it’s become all but impossible to intubate him; thankfully so far and he’s been able to have what medical procedures he’s needed with local sedation. Over the past months, Dodger’s had a harder and harder time evacuating his bowels so we’re watching that closely and hoping the problem won’t cause any problems or worsen.
Dodger’s got a wonderful disposition, he’s a bossy, chatty, opinionated little white dog who always seems to make the best out of whatever life dishes out to him. He loves people and attention and gives our vet’s staff and our visitors gentle “love bites” whenever he can. Oh, and Dodger eventually wore us down at bedtime and staked claim to a good portion of our bed a few months back. He’s very pleased with himself about that accomplishment and I swear he smiles when I put him on the bed each night.
In closing, we want to thank WestiMed once again for being there for Dodger and for us! It’s made all the difference in the world to know there are so many in WestieMed-land who’ve cared about and rallied for our little, bossy guy.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday and a prosperous new year.
Daine
Update June 22, 2012
I am sad to tell those of you who knew Dodger that we had him put to sleep this morning. Dodger came to us on 11/1/10 – initially to stay with us a few months, but it took a NY second for all of us to realize he’d come home. He brought John and me so much joy and laughter and happiness at the same time our hearts broke at the fate he was destined to on this earth. I will be forever grateful to all the wonderful people who shared our joy and sadness and who rallied for him and loved him from afar. Your support and encouragement were very much appreciated by Dodger Westie Dog and by John and me.
Summers were never easy for Dodger and this one was worse than the last two. He struggled for the past six weeks with boils that came back with a vengeance. Until yesterday we were able to cover the pain that came and went as the sores came and left. But by last night even high doses of tram and rimadyl barely helped. There were other problems too – related to the treatment and to the disease, whatever it was. After we got him comfortable today, he spent the morning in the yard, lying on his island and in the grass – barking and watching all the things that go on in the yard. Today he was as he always was – happy, opinionated, bossy, and stoic.
Thank you again for all your support and love – to Dodger and to me. It made all the difference in the world.
If there is a place that transcends the pain and suffering of live as we know it, and I believe there is, Dodger is now able to run and eat and drink free of the pain, suffering, encumbrances, limitations, and challenges that he experienced in his life up til now.
Lucy’s owner had to move into assisted living and could not take Lucy with her. So Lucy went to live with family. Lucy developed incontinence and unfortunately, with three other dogs already in the household, her family could not continue to care for her. Maryland Westie Rescue took in Lucy in July 2010 and brought her to a vet for evaluation of her incontinence. The diagnosis turned out to be a severe case of Cushing’s Disease. Lucy spent over a month in the hospital as vets tried to find the right balance of medication for her. In early September, she went to her foster home. However, because the vets were still trying to find the right dosage, Lucy had to report to the vet’s office every few weeks for a half day’s worth of testing. Lucy is currently in long-term foster care as the vets continue to adjust her medication. We are looking for a permanent home for her with a family that will be able to love this friendly little Westie and provide for her life-long medical issues. Many, many thanks from Maryland Westie Rescue and Lucy!
Thanks, Phil
Update January 15, 2011
Lucy – WestieMed Recipient
It is with great sadness that I tell you that Lucy, our rescue Westie with severe Cushings, passed away this afternoon.
She was having a good day with her new owner and her Westie brother, Max, but then collapsed in the car on the way home.
Her owner rushed her to the emergency vet, but there was nothing they could do for her. I wanted to pass along my greatest appreciation for the grant that WestieMed provided to help cover her vet bills since she came into rescue this past summer.
Despite the long-term care, our vets were then able to provide, her little body was just overwhelmed by the severity of her illness.
We’re at least glad that she found her forever home last week, even if forever was far shorter than anyone wished.
One afternoon in mid-May I was talking on the phone to my daughter that lives sixty miles from me. While we were talking it became apparent that she was preoccupied with something. Finally, I asked what was going on. She told me that she was watching a little dog, like Skeeter (my Cairn Terrier) over in the neighbor’s yard. She was concerned because there were some large dogs hanging around. She was afraid they would hurt the little dog. Neither of us could sleep that night for worry of the little guy being hurt by the large dogs that were gathering. This is the beginning of Lacy’s story.
The following day I called my daughter and she told me the little dog was still there. Being a volunteer worker for Col. Potter Cairn Rescue, that afternoon found me at my daughter’s home. I needed to identify the little guy. If he was a Cairn I knew they would take him. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw him from a distance. His coat was so matted that the mats hung from him like pieces of an old rug. This poor little guy had been on his own for a very long time. We called him to us with pieces of lunch meat. He would come to within six to eight feet from us and then turn and run from us. It was then that I could see glimpses of white peeking out. I knew then that he was a Westie. For several hours we tried to catch him. Finally, we had to quit for the night. We went to a local store and brought a few cans of dog food and left it out for him. In the morning it was gone but we couldn’t be sure that he had eaten it. There were some other strays in the area. I had a 22 lb. turkey in the freezer so I cooked it and pulled it apart and made little bags of frozen turkey to tempt him with. I was sure that in a couple of days we would catch him. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. I found it hard to sleep at night I was so worried that he would get injured or killed before I could catch him. Each time that it would rain I would cry for him outside in the rain. I started calling him “Westie”. So many times I came so close to catching him. Soon all he had to do was see me and he would come for the turkey and treats, but just as I would reach for him he would turn and run.
We started looking for his owner. We made signs and put them up everywhere that had a bulletin board. We even put signs in the library and laundromat. I called three county shelters to see what help they would be. Each told me to catch the dog and then call them. They would hold him for five days while waiting for someone to claim him. Then if they determined that he was adoptable we could pay an adoption fee and take him. I’m so glad that we didn’t do that. They would have most likely have tested him and found out that he had heartworms and determined that he was not adoptable. They would have put him to sleep. That would have been the end of his story. It didn’t end there. Being a rescue person, I had numbers of people that I had talked to about Cairns. Eight people told me if I ever got a Westie please call them. I did, and the first thing they wanted to know was if he was vetted and healthy. Even though he seemed healthy I couldn’t promise anyone that he was, and I couldn’t afford to have him vetted myself. Still, that didn’t stop me. There was a little lost dog out there afraid and alone.
I made three or four trips each week out to my daughter’s home to try one more time to catch him. I sat on the ground with turkey. I even laid on the ground trying to win little “Westie’s” trust. It was now late August and he was still running around. He got to the point that he would put his little feet on my legs, yet any time that I moved he would run. Finally, in desperation I called my sister-in-law and asked her if I could get him…would she take him? She never asked for a clean bill of health. That was all I needed. The next day I was back out there and this time I would make a desperate attempt to grab him. He came to me as he had so many times before. This time when I was sure that he was close enough I made a lunge for him. I tackled him and managed to get a handful of fur. I held tight and closed him into my arms. He struggled against me. I buried my face in his dirty coat and cried. It was finally over. He was safe! I stayed the night and we handled him and cuddled him.
We were so surprised that he snuggled right in and even sighed and fell asleep in my arms. He somehow knew that he was safe. The following morning I started cutting out his mats before washing him. It took seven hours to groom him. You can imagine our surprise to find out that little “Westie” was not a little boy but a little GIRL. I called my sister-in-law and asked her if it were alright that he was a little girl…all All she wanted to know was when could I bring her to her. I took “Westie” to her the following day. The next day little “Westie” was taken to the vet. I got a call telling me that she was heartworm positive. A few days later I got a call telling me that “Lacy”, as she was now called, was in heat. I knew then, that no matter what, that rescuing the little Westie when I did was a miracle. Most likely she would have been killed by the stray dogs fighting over her. I didn’t know what to do so I went online to Col. Potter’s mentoring list and asked for help. They sent me to WestieMed. your organization. We, as Lacy’s extended adopted family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts…sometimes love alone is not enough. This is truly a love story.
Thank you WestieMed. for jumping in to help little Lacy. Thanks to all of you, for because of you, a little Westie whose days were numbered can now look forward to many years of life and love. Thank you and your wonderful group for jumping in and giving her the gift of life. Her nickname is Lacy Love. Once again I really want to thank all of you. I can’t believe how great your group has been. You have all went above and beyond working with me for little Lacy. I wish that you all could see and meet the little charmer. She is so cute and lovable. She really is the perfect little Westie girl…what an attitude she has. She is so full of herself and yet so sweet and loving. I really think that someone knew that she had heartworms and was coming into heat and didn’t want to deal with the expense and bother of the whole thing. Their loss is Lacy’s gain because she is loved so much.
Thanks To So Many,
Kathy Cabble
Lacy’s care was funded by a grant from The Pedigree Foundation.
