Stories – Page 17

Max - WestieMed Grant Recipient May 2013

Max

May 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Dudley, renamed “Max”, a five and 1/2-year-old Westie, was rescued from a southern Maine backyard breeder (puppy mill) who had used him to sire litters of puppies. When we met Max, he had never walked on grass, was filthy and unkempt, and had no effect or emotion (other than fear). He did not wag his tail, respond to his name, or know how to walk upstairs, on a leash, or wear a collar. In short, he had not been provided with no love, socialization, or the opportunity to experience life outside of a concrete-floored kennel. Additionally, we were soon to discover that he had not received adequate veterinary care in his five years in the mill either. Heartbroken, we knew that we needed to get him to a vet to see exactly what we were up against.

After a sleepless night, Max stood up all night on his makeshift dog bed in our foyer, we brought him to our veterinarian. After a thorough examination, we were told that he had been badly neglected. His feet were splayed from living on a concrete floor, and many of his teeth would need to be pulled from being fed canned dog food. He would also need to be neutered, have blood work done to check for parasites and to ensure that his liver could withstand the anesthesia needed for dental work, and be brought up to date on his vaccinations. The breeder had been quick to hand over his registration papers; unfortunately, vet records were nonexistent.

After a few hours of online researching, luckily for Max, we stumbled across WestieMed. We asked for half of the costs needed for Max on our application, crossed our fingers, and waited. In the meantime, with constant love, and a commitment to embrace him into our family, Max has begun his road to rehabilitation.

In the two weeks that we have had him, he has learned to walk on a leash, wag his tail, walk up two stairs, and bark! My daughters claim that they have even seen him smile. After many baths and gentle brushing, a nutritious diet, and bones for his sore teeth, his beauty is starting to shine through. He is indeed a loyal, delightful, handsome little man who has won us all over. His emotional needs are now being met, and he will go in this week for his medical needs. We will keep you updated!

We can’t thank WestieMed enough for helping us to help Max. Your organization is a testament to the power of good people making a difference, through generosity and caring. It has inspired me personally to do all I can to crusade against puppy mills, and use Max’s story to educate others about the abuse and neglect that exist for so many animals. Your financial support has made a world of difference – Max seems to be enjoying his second chance, and we are certainly enjoying him!

Update April 7, 2014

Max is doing very well. He has acclimated to being a family dog, and is especially adored by my two daughters.

He is fully house-trained, can walk on a leash, comes to his name, can climb stairs, and has quite a “Westie” personality (so we’ve been told.) He gets along great with our Scottie Terrier mix, Annie, and the two of them are inseparable.

Max has not had any problems with his teeth since he had the extractions, and we make sure to give him dental bones to chew. He is healthy in every aspect, and loves splashing in the water at the beach (even on the coldest winter days.)

I have attached a photo of Max.
Thank you again for all of your help!

Best,
Julie Esch

Sophie

April 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Sophie found her way to Carolina Westie Rescue in late January of 2013. Coming from the northern part of North Carolina, she had quite a trip down to our location in Southeastern NC, in Wilmington. Sophie belonged to an older couple who could no longer give her the care and attention that a little Westie needs. The couple mentioned they had Sophie since she was a puppy. Now, however, with their work schedules being what they were, they did not have much time to spend with her. They also revealed that Sophie was around ten years old and had a “little skin problem”, but was otherwise healthy. During the surrender, along with Sophie’s records, they also gave me some of her medication which included Prednisone, Ketoconazole, and Tramadol. I took copies of what health records they gave me and after the couple filled out a surrender form, Sophie and I were on our way.

Sophie is quite small for a Westie, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in sweetness. She is friendly as can be and she greeted all the other Westies in my house as if they were all long lost friends. She did not seem shy at all or unhappy to be away from her old home or owners. Actually, she seemed to fit right in. Not long after she arrived though, I noticed that under her long, just groomed coat were feet that were black, swollen, bleeding and infected. Her belly was also black and she had a bit of a limp. She also appeared to have an old scar on the top of her head. She was small but slightly overweight. Her chubby appearance made her little head appear even smaller.

The next day I took Sophie to my veterinarian along with her records. My vet looked at Sophie’s past, which only dated back six months. In those records, my vet said that she had an infection in all four feet; and that her previous vet was not expecting a cure and could only hope for management with Cefpodoxine, Prednisone and medicated shampoo. My vet put Sophie back on the Ketoconazole along with Clindamycin and Pharmaseb shampoo. He took a skin scraping, a parasite screening and performed a physical exam. We noticed that Sophie’s teeth looked terrible and decided to get them cleaned at a later date. I wanted to try and get her feet on the road to healing first. My vet felt that by being more consistent and omitting the Prednisone that Sophie would start to improve. He thought that the past diagnoses of Malassezia were correct. My vet also mentioned that Sophie’s limp was from a torn ACL of her right rear leg.

After the game plan was laid out, I was very consistent with Sophie’s meds and baths. She seemed to improve for a time, but unfortunately, she then regressed. I called my veterinarian back and told him that Sophie was not getting better and he said that it would take a long time for her deep Pyoderma to heal. I knew from dealing with Westies that I should have seen some sort of improvement by now. I had been treating her for almost two months and she was not getting better. I then made another vet appointment and took Sophie back for a recheck. The vet did a senior blood work wellness profile and we made plans for a biopsy, histopathology, and culture and at the same time, he would clean and pull the teeth that were necessary. I took Sophie back ten days later to have all this work performed and poor little Sophie had to have six back teeth extracted. They were rotted at the roots. I do not think she had ever had her teeth cleaned.

Wilmington, NC isn’t a very large city. But, we are fortunate to have a canine dermatologist who visits from Raleigh twice a month. I called and made an appointment with Dr. Barbara Atlee, the dermatologist. The appointment was two weeks out. That would give us time to have the culture and biopsy results before seeing her.

Sophie’s lab reports came in a few days before our appointment to see Dr. Atlee. Her culture results stated that she had Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. This staph was also Methicillin-resistant. This meant that every antibiotic that my vet and the previous vet treated her with did absolutely nothing to stop the infection. However, we now had a list of antibiotics that would successfully treat her infection. Her antibiotic list was very short. One of the antibiotics that Sophie’s staph was sensitive to was Zeniquin and a topical antibiotic called Mupirocin. The Zeniquin proved to be hard to find and expensive, but I found it. Sophie’s biopsy stated that she also had Demodex. We put her on a course of oral Ivermectin to treat that.

Sophie had her appointment with Dr. Atlee, the dermatologist, a short time later. Dr. Atlee examined Sophie, then looked over all of her records and labs and concurred with the diagnoses and protocol. Dr. Atlee also supplied me with a two-page “Treatment Sheet” to follow, which is always helpful. It consists of a detailed protocol to follow to get Sophie well and happy.

I believe that now little Sophie is on the road to healing. Her feet still have ulcers, but are not as swollen. She hates to take her oral medication but is always a trooper when I treat her feet with Mal-a-Ket wipes and Mupirocin ointment. I put her Ivermectin in her food and, as she always loves to eat, she wolfs it right down. Speaking of that, we now have Sophie down to a respectable weight; and her cute little face is in proportion with the rest of her body.

This year has been very hard for Carolina Westie Rescue. We took in three senior owner surrenders almost at the same time. All three had heath problems. Thankfully, two have found their forever homes. Sophie still has a long road ahead of her, but now I think we are on the right track to getting her well.

Thank you WestieMed for your offer to help with Sophie’s medical bills. The Westie community is fortunate to have an organization such as yours.

Sydney Christian
Carolina Westie Rescue
Wilmington NC

Update January 13, 2014

Sophie is doing well now and is still with us. I will soon get back with you with pictures and an update on her health.

I can never begin to express our gratitude or come close to letting WestieMed know how thankful we are that they have been there for us.

Sincerely,
Sydney Christian

Carolina Westie Rescue

Whitney - WestieMed Grant Recipient April 2013

Whitey

April 1, 2013December 25, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

The day before Easter, a shelter in southern-most New Jersey notified me that they had a Westie and wanted me to take him. I said yes, of course, and I got Whitey on Easter Sunday. The shelter told me that another Westie Rescue group had declined to help Whitey before they called me, so I was his last chance.

Whitey had a retained diseased testicle which was the source of most of his troubles. That testicle was grossly enlarged and resulted in a lump the size of an orange hanging off his belly in the groin area. His skin was covered with deep dime-sized open, oozing sores all over his body, legs, tail, and head. This was a result of the hormones from the abnormal testicle, and a staph infection had also taken over his poor body and his skin. He also seemed to feel sick and was lethargic and not eating well, he had a Malassezia condition, and a great deal of flaking and dry matter was coming off his skin. In addition, his dry eye had not been treated and his eyes were infected, and his sight is almost entirely gone (it seems like perhaps he can see shadows out of one eye). He had an infected ear as well, and his teeth were in bad shape; many were so rotten they would break off when gently touched. My veterinarian performed emergency surgery the day after Easter, removing the diseased testicle and the rotten teeth; the vet cleaned his remaining teeth, not for cosmetic purposes, but in hopes that this could spare him a need for future dental work.

Whitey remains on antibiotics and anti-yeast medication. His prognosis is excellent: his skin and his spirit are healing well. He is a friendly boy who likes people and other dogs; he also likes to go for (short) walks and is not intimidated by the fact that he cannot see. He is also housebroken. I hope to find him a home with a loving owner who will continue his health care regimen and give him a good long life.

Lisa Curry
Garden State Westie Rescue

Update October 15, 2013

Whitey is doing well. He’s over his infections and he looks and feels better in all regards. He was adopted to a very loving home close to where I live so I get to see him sometimes.

Thanks,
Lisa Curry

Louise - WestieMed Grant Recipient March 2013

Louie

March 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Little Louie was a “surprise” gift, along with another Westie puppy, for a girl from her boyfriend. Louie was four months old, and Lloyd was five months. She did not have time to devote to their care, and she surrendered them to the Atlanta Westie Rescue Committee in September of 2012.

When Louie arrived for foster care, we noticed that he was very small, even for four months, and he also had a very sensitive stomach. We finally put him on a diet of boiled chicken and white rice. Our rescue vet, Montrose Animal Hospital in Marietta, Georgia, recommended that we add a kiddie vitamin and fresh spinach and sweet potato to his diet to ensure he was getting the proper nutrition. He still had stomach issues though, and at one point had to go to the emergency clinic for a day. He was a tiny little puff ball at 5-1/2 pounds and did not appear to be growing. We were concerned that perhaps he was suffering from “failure to thrive.”

Louie’s big boy neuter surgery was scheduled in November, and that is when his little life changed. Dr. Davis at Montrose said that his pre-surgery blood work showed numbers “all over the place,” with high liver enzymes and high WBC count of most concern. Given Louie’s other symptoms, Dr. Davis suspected Portosystemic Shunt (PSS, or liver shunt), which means that the blood was bypassing the liver and therefore not being cleansed of all the toxins. Dr. Davis felt that an ultrasound might be beneficial, and it did show a very small liver. The neuter surgery was canceled and Louie was sent home with antibiotics and a special hepatic diet.

There was a huge difference in Louie in just a couple of days as his body fought off infection and he received the proper nutrition. Another medication was added to help Louie pass the toxins out of his body, and again there was a marked improvement in his demeanor. These medications were given in anticipation of Louie having corrective surgery for the PSS.

Louie was referred to Dr. Berryessa at Georgia Veterinary Specialists (GVS) for a consult. Louie’s “entourage” consisted of his foster mom, the chair of the rescue, and the VP of the Westie Club of the South, all there for moral support. After the initial examination, Dr. Berryessa suggested another ultrasound to try to confirm that Louie had a PSS. We met the most amazing staff, all very caring, and they even let us go back with Louie for the ultrasound so we could see what they were looking at. The procedure was thoroughly explained to us, and it was confirmed that Louie was very sick with a PSS.

Due to the fact that we had changed Louie’s diet and had him on medications, he was looking healthier and gaining a little weight, which made us happy. We also discovered this amazingly active pup with newfound energy who played until he couldn’t anymore! What a difference that made, and we were hopeful that the surgery would help even more.

Surgery day arrived and we dropped Louie off bright and early at GVS. They took him back and Dr. Winkler, the surgeon, came and talked to us before we left and assured us that he would call as soon as the surgery was over, which he did. However, the news was not what we had hoped for. They were unable to repair the liver shunt because (1) the veins were in the wrong location and (2) Louie’s liver was very tiny. The surgeon was able to neuter Louie while he was under. He had an overnight stay, and we were able to pick him up the next afternoon.

As an aside, my teenage daughter had a liver transplant eighteen months ago; as difficult as it was for me, I could deal with that okay. However, I was not prepared for the pitiful little baby I picked up from GVS, and it just tore my heart to pieces. We brought Louie home and put him in a nest that we had created to keep him quiet and away from the pack to try and help his little body heal. The first couple of days he was pitiful, but as his incision healed he started acting more like himself. After about a week, it was difficult to keep him quiet because he wanted to play and be with the pack.

Since then, my daughter and Louie have been on the same schedule for medications (so Mom can keep it all straight). Now almost three months later, Louie is thriving and growing and is a happy pup at thirteen pounds – almost tripling his weight since diagnosis. Although he may have a shortened life span, he is living life to the fullest and is a sweet, mischievous little man who makes us laugh all the time. He is a delight to have in the house, and all of our children’s friends have “adopted” him as their foster brother, too!

All we can say to WestieMed is “thank you for being there when we needed help.” There is no way we could ever thank you enough for your assistance with Louie’s surgery.

Rhona Terrell, Grateful Foster Mom
Westie Club of the South, Inc.

Update October 1, 2013

Many of you will recall the story about Louie, the littlest four-month-old Westie I had ever seen. He was surrendered in 2012 along with Lloyd by a woman who was “surprised” by her boyfriend with two puppies, and she had no desire to raise any puppies. Apparently a backyard breeder was getting out of the business (i.e., someone had turned her in) and she would not take the puppies back.

Louie came in relatively small, but he didn’t thrive no matter what Rhona fed him. After about a month, Rhona and his two aunties (Cindy and Harriett) took him for a consult with Georgia Veterinary Specialists, and Louie was diagnosed with a liver shunt, which was unable to be surgically repaired. Louie has been on medications ever since to keep him as healthy as possible.

His foster mom, Rhona Terrell, was up with him all night last night. A trip to the vet showed that Louie is going into the next stage of his liver disease. His protein and albumin levels are very low, and there is fluid in his belly. After discussing his condition with the vet, I have opted to keep him comfortable on diuretics and anti-nausea medicines.

Louie is still a very happy (although somewhat tired) one-year-old. Rhona, James, Matthew, and Kathleen (and all of their friends) are taking wonderful care of him. Rhona said it best this morning: “Louie has loved a lifetime in his short life” and I don’t know anyone who has met him that did not fall in love at first sight.

I just wanted to update everyone on his condition and express my appreciation of everyone coming together and rallying around this little pup. Now Louie and his foster family need our prayers and all good thoughts.

Cindy Levine

Update February 24, 2014

Louie is doing well most days and continues to delight us with his antics.

He has slowed down a little, which is all part of his condition.

He still loves to play with the pack but prefers to sleep by himself most nights as he gets restless and, due to being on diuretics, has frequent bathroom breaks (so does Mom).

Whether he is running and playing or just chilling in the sun, the outdoors is his favorite, although at the end of the day he is very content to be snuggled up in someone’s lap with a blanket.

We go on walks to the park with him and the other dogs, he can’t go the same distance but he is very happy to be in his stroller (see attached picture) after he is done walking.

He will turn two in May and we know every day with this loving little guy is a blessing.

Please enjoy his pictures.

Thank you again WestieMed for being there in his time of need; we are all truly grateful.

Rhona Terrell, Foster Mom
Westie Club of the South, Inc

Maisy - WestieMed Grant Recipient February 2013

Maisey

February 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Maisey, now renamed Faith, came to us when she was only nine weeks old. Faith weighed less than two pounds when we rescued her. She was lethargic, had a terrible case of diarrhea, and erratic breathing patterns, not only during waking hours but when she was asleep. Our first priority was to get Faith to our small-town veterinarian who had cared for our other rescued Westie and several other dogs for over nine years. In our town, we are lucky to have a veterinarian that sees patients five days a week. He has no after-hours coverage or answering service, and is not set up to care for animals on an emergency basis. He is dedicated but overwhelmed.

Our vet did a thorough exam, took this tiny little baby Westie to the back to have a vet-tech run several lab tests, and came in to chat with us. He informed us that Faith had a heart murmur, was dangerously underweight, was dehydrated, and probably had some type of intestinal parasite. He immediately handed us a brochure for a 24-hour emergency and critical care specialty clinic three hours from our hometown and admonished us to get Faith there as quickly as possible. He told us he was certain that she was going to need extensive treatment which he was incapable of providing in his small facility. We fueled up our car, called our neighbor and asked her to please feed our dogs and let them out periodically, and headed out.

The veterinarian who first saw Faith was a canine cardiologist. A cardiologist for dogs?? We never knew there was such a thing. His vet-tech spent about ten minutes simply listening to her chest. She was methodical and focused. Faith was so weak by this time that she could hardly stand up. The vet-tech told us she was going to take Faith to the back and start her on some oxygen, have the cardiologist exam her and that he would come in to talk to us “soon”. It seemed like forever, but the doctor eventually came in to talk with us. He wanted to do an echocardiogram and chest x-ray right away. Faith was critically ill. We were told these exams would take about an hour. That was the last time we saw Faith until she came home.

My husband and I went out to the waiting room, and the vet-tech called us back in to talk to the cardiologist about 45 minutes later. He reported that Faith did indeed have a heart murmur, a ventricular septal defect, a hole in her heart. He proceeded to draw diagrams for us showing exactly where the defect in her heart was. Surprisingly, he said that her heart murmur was “the least of his concerns”, and that while it was considered a very serious health issue it would likely resolve itself as she got older. What concerned him the most was the chest x-ray. Faith’s lungs were “over-inflated” from continuous prolonged heavy breathing. The cardiologist had asked for a consultation from the in-house internal medicine doctor who reviewed the x-rays and concluded that the over-inflated lungs were likely caused from bronchopneumonia, a condition that would require monitoring around the clock. Faith was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, hooked up to two IV catheters with two different antibiotics, and placed in an oxygen cage 24 hours a day which included nebulizer treatments. Numerous lab tests were run while they worked on resolving her severe diarrhea and dehydration. They hand-feed her one tablespoon of food at a time, every four hours around the clock.

We left the Intensive Care Unit weary and dazed for our three-hour trip back home. We were aware of the WestieMed organization through several rescue organizations we had been in contact with and supported over the years, but never thought we would ever be the recipients of their tremendous generosity. We contacted them the next day and their application coordinator Bette responded almost immediately. WestMed President Lucy Ryley contacted us the following day to gather more information and offer her support and best wishes.

We have always kept a “health savings fund” for our dogs to cover their maintenance needs for well-visits to the vet, immunizations, teeth cleaning and incidentals. The initial diagnostics for Faith alone completely depleted that savings account.

Faith is now home with us. When they released her they stated that she should be on “bed-rest”, if there is such a thing in the life of a Westie girl. While the doctors consider her condition greatly improved, they will need to monitor her with additional x-rays and review her clinical status over a period of time.

There are no words to describe the appreciation we have for the wonderful folks at WestieMed. Faith would likely not be alive today if it were not for their generosity and for their love of our Westie.

We will continue to provide updates as Faith improves.

Janet

Update February 13, 2013

Faith has gained a full twelve ounces since she came home. She is thriving and happy…and boy, is she a handful! I asked my husband if this is the same Westie girl that we took to the ICU. We could feel her ribs and bony little back and hips when we rescued her.

Janet

Update August 22, 2013

When we last corresponded with you Faith was about two lbs eight ounces. While she was “out of the woods” with her bronchopneumonia, we still had to monitor her condition and keep her on two antibiotics for the next two months. We had her back to the internal medicine doctors two more times. Faith was unable to receive any of her puppy shots, (while still on antibiotics) so taking her off of our property or into public places was not an option. While she continued to be on medication and recover, we spend her waking hours teaching her to walk on a lease and learn basic rules and commands. Thank goodness we live on a fully fenced acre with lots of areas for her to learn to dig like all happy healthy Westies. Our other Westie Miley and Bichon Maggie were allowed to play with her when she wasn’t sleeping.

Faith continued to do well and gained a whopping six more pounds. Around the 1st of April, she received her first set of puppy shots and three weeks later the last booster. At that point, Faith had learned to walk on a leash and the world just opened up for her. She was ready for walks with Maggie and Miley who go out twice daily for two-mile walks. For the first few weeks, we only took her on the morning walk, and sometimes I would carry her on the way back if she got winded. You see, not only did she have bronchopneumonia, she had a collapsed lung. The internal medicine doctor informed us that this likely happened when one of her litter-mats stepped on her when she was only days old. It will never inflate again and she will have to live with it for the rest of her life.

Don’t think for a minute that these chronic conditions have slowed her down…to the contrary. She only has one large lung lobe, and still has a loud heart murmur, but she is like every other happy healthy Westie and gives our other two dogs a run for their money. The vet told us that she will set her own pace. So far her pace if FULL SPEED ahead!! When its bedtime and she runs up the stairs with Maggie and Miley headed towards her kennel, we can hear her wheezing. She takes three breaths for every one breath Miley takes, so it appears that she is panting all the time. It’s not something we ever get used to. Our vet tells us that her life MAY be shortened by her ailments or she may live to a ripe old age. There is no way to tell.

What we do know is that had it not been for WestieMed and their love for Faith she would not be here at all. Thank you again for your support, for your love, and for your resources. We are deeply grateful to your organization.

Janet

Update January 13, 2014

Happy New Year to everyone at WestieMed!! We have an update for you regarding the progress of our sweet little Faith.

As you all know Faith, was near death around this time last year. She just celebrated her first birthday in early December. She is happy, healthy and getting into mischief. The vet tells us that she will always have to be monitored for pneumonia because of her collapsed lung lobe. She has adapted well and sets her own pace. She takes more naps than other pups her age, but we knew that would be the case, and believe me…we’re not complaining. LOL

She gets up every day with such a love for life. She “lives” for her early morning two-mile walk with our two other dogs. She is so loyal and we can feel her gratitude. It is almost like she is saying “thank you for saving my life…for giving me every chance to live”.

She just loves to dig. We have a full acre of land with a designated area where she can dig to her heart’s content. She comes over to me completely black up to her chin with the most clever look on her face. All I say is “did you have a good time”?

We are so grateful to the folks at WestieMed for helping us give her a second chance at LIFE. Thank you for giving us the gift of Faith’s life and for your love of all our Westies.

Janet

Emerson

February 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Emerson is a six-year-old male Westie that came to Westie Rescue of New England from another local rescue in early January. Immediately upon Emerson’s arrival, his foster Mom noticed he had a terrible cough and seemed to be having trouble breathing, he was weak and unable to eat. Emerson was taken to the emergency vet where he was diagnosed with a collapsed trachea. We were told his ONLY chance for survival was stent surgery to open his airway. The cost of the surgery was estimated at $5,000. That was a huge amount of money for our “little rescue” but felt we had to give this poor little boy a chance at life… so we gave the surgeon the go-ahead. The custom stents were ordered and we prayed hard that Emerson would be alright as he waited in ICU for life-saving surgery. The surgery was a great success and Emerson’s breathing immediately changed. He was more active and eating well…. he was a new dog! Shortly after his stent surgery, Emerson started coughing again. We were worried that something had happened to his stents and his foster Mom rushed him to the emergency vet again. Emerson was diagnosed with pneumonia and had to spend another week in ICU. The day before he was scheduled to come home an old injury on his face filled up with an infection and burst and now he had to undergo surgery to implant a drain in his little face. The infection was found to be antibiotic resistant and a special formula had to be made to treat him. The total for that hospital stay was another $3,400. He made progress and was happy to go back home with his foster Mom. We are thrilled to say that he is thriving now. He is described by his foster Mom as the sweetest little boy ever and it is obvious that he really enjoys life! Our cost had now reached nearly $9,000 to save Emerson and our funds were left pretty much depleted. We were worried that should he need another hospitalization we would not have the funds to pay for it. We also needed to make sure we had funds on hand to continue to be able to help other newcomers to our rescue as well as maintain the unadoptable forever fosters that live out the rest of their lives in our volunteer homes. Emerson will require to follow up care twice a month for the next three months and then after that as needed. He is a wonderful little soul and we are thankful that he is doing so well since his surgeries. He has been through so much but always kept fighting and we were never ready to give up on him. Emerson is truly a special little Westie. Our hope is that someday he will find a wonderful forever home but if not he will stay in our care for as long as needed.

When we got the news that Westie Med was approving our application and giving us financial assistance it was the best news ever!! Your help means more than you know and our gratitude is beyond words. We are grateful to the Board of Directors at WestieMed and we thank you for helping us help Emerson.

Best Westie Regards,
Karen Stone
Westie Rescue of New England Inc.

Update: August 19, 2013

Emerson was able to instantly breathe after having three stents placed in his trachea.

Thank you for your help. He has had an ongoing infection in his left ear caused by a foreign object. He has a fistula on his cheek that continues to drain pus daily as a result. The vet thinks that some of the pus draining into his trachea has been instrumental in his two bouts of pneumonia. He will be going back for an ablation this week to hopefully finish his problems. He is a great little guy and loves life. He is a joy to everyone who knows him.

Once again that’s for your help we are a small rescue and every penny counts. After this week we will have spent $20,000. So your help was invaluable.

Debra

Gus - WestieMed Grant Recipient January 2013

Gus

January 1, 2013December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

All Westies at WROC are special, but Gus is a very lucky boy that had a lot of people rooting for him. This sweet boy, that we believe to be approximately five years old was picked up by Animal Control as a stray and taken to a high kill shelter. Not knowing he was injured, Gus sat in the shelter for several days, sharing a kennel with thirteen other dogs. Our friends at S.A.F.E. Animal Rescue took him home, fed him a warm meal, put him on antibiotics and tucked him in safely for the night in preparation for his long drive to WROC the next day where he was taken to our vet immediately. X-rays indicated a ruptured abdominal wall that allowed his intestines and fatty tissue normally found behind the muscles in the abdomen to push through, most likely sustained from being hit by a car. Gus underwent emergency surgery and while he was under anesthesia, his blood pressure was dangerously dropping. His surgical team had to close him up quickly in order to save his life. Gus needed time to get stronger, and a week later, he underwent a second surgery to finish repairing all of his internal injuries. Gus was released from the hospital a week later and is now resting comfortably. Throughout his ordeal, one would have never known Gus was hurting. This brave little dog will make a full recovery. Gus is a very happy boy that enjoys life and is looking forward to finding his forever home.

Thank you WestieMed for assisting with Gus’ expensive veterinarian bills. We are so appreciative of all you do!

Karen Simondet
Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond

Update March 4, 2013

We are so pleased to let you know that Gus was adopted by a wonderful adopter that had been following Gus’ story from the very beginning.

Gus made a full recovery and is now enjoying a wonderful new life filled with family outings, lots of walks, vacations and is one very spoiled Westie.

Thank you WestieMed for your assistance with our very sweet boy and for your generosity with countless other deserving Westies.

Karen Simondet
Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond

Update July 15, 2013

It has been six months since Gus was found at a high kill shelter suffering from life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car. After two surgeries, rehabilitation in foster care and being officially adopted in March, Gus continues to thrive! His new person dotes on him and there isn’t a want or need that goes unfulfilled. Gus travels quite a bit between Southern California and San Francisco to visit family and friends and it was recently discovered that Gus is a water dog! The first time he saw a pool, he walked around it for about 1/2 hour and then decided to jump in at the steps. His family cheered him on as he swam back and forth and it was quite obvious that Gus was very pleased with himself. He loves to chase squirrels up trees, he gets home-cooked meals, absolutely loves his toys and he even gets blueberry facials with his regular grooming every six weeks. He is sweet, gentle, happy and his personality just lights up a room! But the best part of Gus’ journey is that he is safe and he is living an incredible life!

Thank you WestieMed for helping us make Gus’ dreams come true!

Karen Simondet
Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond

Lola

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

Lola came to us in late September as an owner surrender. I picked Lola up late in the day after traveling for several hours and we headed for home, another four hours away, with two syringes of insulin in a cup of ice that the owner handed to us as we were leaving. Lola was very quiet until we made our first stop to meet with Steve & Mary Lou Mercurio, our very first volunteers for our new rescue that we had begun a mere month prior. We were meeting them on the way home to get some sorely needed supplies they had picked up and a collar they brought for Lola since she was surrendered without one. While I got out to stretch my legs, Mary Lou took Lola into the grass for a little walk and some relief while Steve went in search of insulin for our newest Westie. Once Lola had her potty break and some water, Mary Lou opened the bag of special kibble they had picked up for me and we gave a bit to Lola. When she smelled the food, she went wild and ate it so fast that she worried us. So we waited a while and then gave her another small bit; the same result. She would become frantic the moment she smelled the food. We were afraid to give her any more at that point, not knowing if or when, she had last had her insulin, as that information was not forthcoming from the person who surrendered her. She was scheduled for a vet to visit the very first thing in the morning, and we felt we’d given her enough food to get her through until the vet could give her a thorough exam. The rest of the ride home with Lola was not as quiet, because she knew that food was there and she was frantic to get to it, and she was just as bad with water. We finally made it home at about midnight and after another walk around the yard, it was time to turn in. Since it was her first night, I put Lola into her crate and put it in my room. It was not to be. The crate made her crazy so I let her out. We both needed to sleep. She cried and cried until I picked her up. Once in my arms, she settled down and fell asleep whimpering and twitching. She slept next to me the entire night as close as she could get.

The vet visit the next morning showed that Lola was significantly underweight at only 12.8 lbs. Her blood glucose levels were extremely high and she had a bad case of conjunctivitis in both eyes. It was at that point that we discovered that she was almost completely blind, a far cry from the “slight problem with her vision” that we had been told. The vet figured that she might be able to distinguish light, dark and possibly some shadows. She was also dehydrated and suffering from a really bad case of diarrhea and loaded with internal parasites of every possible kind. Through all the poking, prodding and needles, Lola was a champ. She stood still and let the vets and the techs do whatever was necessary with never so much as a growl or whimper. We left the vet armed with medications and a regime for her insulin, Lola leaning into my leg as we walked. She had become my little white shadow and remains so.

Upon returning home, it was time to collect the rest of the pack and bring them home. Lola was introduced to them one at a time and was very good with all of them. Never a growl or snap, no matter how exuberantly the others sniffed at her. She was equally good with Louie, the bulldog as she was with Shakti and Maggie, the other Westie girls. She sniffed Keeks the kitty very thoroughly and then groomed him, much to his dismay.

The first few days were a learning experience for both of us, me mostly, I think. I learned that Lola thought it was okay to potty in her crate and then eat and drink it. She soon learned that she could have all the freshwater she could drink and would be fed regularly and given healthy treats. I learned to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar in a little creature that couldn’t tell me how she was feeling. I learned not to underestimate the value of a dedicated veterinary team. She learned to use puppy pads when she couldn’t wait and to potty outside when she could. I learned to walk carefully so as not to tread on tiny white paws that were never more than a few inches from me, ever. She learned to trust and I learned that my heart could break multiple times a day watching a little dog who wanted to run and play and couldn’t.

As time passed, Lola’s diet was adjusted and blood sugars brought under control. She still suffers from some bouts of colitis occasionally but is doing much better now that she has been on a grain-free allergy diet and getting some additional home-cooked Westie diet. She still has a hearty appetite and will eat just about anything, given the chance, so vigilance is a must. She takes her insulin injections very well, stands still and never flinches or cries.

As she began to feel better, Lola wanted to be a part of the pack playtime. Unfortunately, because she cannot see, she wasn’t very successful as a playmate, always bumping into the other dogs and not being able to see the ball or whatever toy they were playing with. She would try, and then after getting a couple of growls from the others, would sit back with a wistful look on her face. When outdoors, she tried to run with the others but would stumble, bump into things, or trip and finally, give up and come back to my side to become the little white shadow once again. She no longer tries, although she sometimes forgets herself when she gets excited that someone’s come to visit and runs to greet them only to bump into the door. We’ve nursed more than one sore nose these past couples of months.

Lola has a very sweet disposition and has never met anyone she did not like man or beast. She is a very lovable, social little dog; no longer shy, timid, frightened or frantic. Lola is happiest cuddled in your arms or next to you, but she does like to be outside and feel the wind in her fur and sniff the places where the squirrels have run. She is the sweetest, most gentle little creature I have ever been blessed to know.

Her life will change now, thanks to WestieMed and the incredibly generous Westie community around the world. She is scheduled to have her cataract surgery on December 27^th. She will “see” the New Year in, in a new way; and I believe that we will see a new Lola, as she discovers the world around her. I may lose my “little white shadow”, but she will gain a whole new world of wonder. That’s a very good thing.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Those words are inadequate to express our gratitude for the gift you are giving this sweet, gentle, 3-year-old little angel dog. We will continue to keep you updated with Lola’s story and progress.

**Lola is currently sponsored by Steve & Mary Lou Mercurio. They provide the funds for her insulin and supplies every month in honor of their dear Chloe, who was also diabetic and now runs free at the Rainbow Bridge.

Josie Myers-Smith
Westie Rescue of Western and Central New York

Update January 18, 2013

Lola and I arrived at the vet yesterday morning, 1/17/2013 at 7 am. When I pulled into the parking lot, Lola started to vomit. I wasn’t surprised, because she had fasted, and with her colitis, she sometimes spits up a little bile if her tummy is empty for too long. We were ushered into the exam room almost immediately and Dr. B took another look at her eyes to make sure that all was well. Everything looked good to proceed with the surgery. She had the surgery yesterday afternoon and it went pretty well. I say pretty well because there was a slight problem with her left eye.

In young dogs, the area that they call a capsule that is behind and around the lens is very thin. In Lola’s case, this capsule tore a bit. Dr. B attempted to implant the new lens but was unable to make it stay in place because of the tear. So she did not get a new lens in that eye. However, the cataract was removed and she does have vision in the left eye, it is just a bit less clear than the right eye, which got a new lens. So she does have vision in both eyes and he said that she probably won’t notice much of a difference in her sight because of the missing lens. Many people who have this type of surgery for their dogs, don’t even bother with new lenses and the dogs are able to get around just fine.

She has a couple of different kinds of eye drops that she gets throughout the day and evening. One is an antibiotic type and the other is atropine, which dilates the iris. This is to ensure that it doesn’t get “sticky” and consequently not move which would affect her sight. She is also on an oral antibiotic.

She is wearing the cone and will have to keep that on for a week minimum and how long ultimately depends on how well she is healing. She managed to slip it off this morning, but it’s back on and more secure now. I ran her collar through the loops instead of the hunk of gauze that was holding it in place.

Her near sight will be fuzzy until the inflammation from the surgery subsides a bit and then it will correct to becoming as perfect as it can be. Her distance sight is very good now.

She has been doing well, doesn’t fight the eyedrops and takes her pill like a champ.

She has been “talkative”, alternating between earsplitting howls, barking and a strange little noise that sounds like she is talking.

She runs around looking at everything and then just wants to be held. Right now she’s on my lap and if I put her down she will complain – loudly. In a bit she will want to get down and then will run around again, just looking and looking. The funniest thing in the world was when she looked at Louie across the room this morning. He is her snuggle buddy and is a large American Bulldog mix. I wish I could have captured the expression.

Her eyes are a little sensitive to light right now and I notice that when she is on my lap she is keeping them closed. This sensitivity should subside as she becomes accustomed to the light that for a long time, she hasn’t seen in this way.

We are using wee-wee pads and keeping her indoors for now because it is VERY bright outdoors today and extremely windy. We must protect those little eyes.

We will go to the vet today at 5:45 for a recheck to make sure that everything is doing as it should and then she will have to go back again next week sometime and several times thereafter until he declares her fully healed.

I am extremely impressed with Dr. Burgesser, who did the surgery, and Lola adores him. He clearly loves the animals and is very thorough and concerned about them. When he talks softly to Lola, he picks her up and holds her and she simply melts in his arms. It’s pretty funny to watch actually. When he is examining her, he is talking softly to her the entire time. He does not address me until he is through with the exam and has picked her up to cuddle her.

Yesterday when we picked her up, he had Tom (who went with me to get her), hold her while he took the time to show me the inside of her eye and the new lens. He doesn’t make you feel rushed at all and makes certain that all of your questions are answered before you leave the exam room.

He also gave us a nice discount on his services. The last thing he said to me was “You are going to end up keeping this one, aren’t you?” I told him that unless a very special angel came along, she would likely remain in the sanctuary with us.

Josie Myers-Smith, Director
Westie Rescue of Western & Central New York

Update January 18, 2013

Lola saw Doc Burgesser tonight for her 24-hour recheck and he said she is healing nicely and all is as it should be. She’s doing very well and so we don’t have to go back now for a whole week! He also waived the office call fee today. He also SAT DOWN ON THE FLOOR and played with her for a while before he let us leave, lol! I think I might be in love with this vet….

Josie Myers-Smith, Director
Westie Rescue of Western & Central New York

Update January 26, 2013

Lola had her one week follow up with Dr. Burgesser yesterday. She is doing VERY well, with less inflammation than expected and healing properly. He allowed me to take the cone off and said now that she is free from that, we should see even more improvement. She is already watching animals on TV and following my movements as I go through the house. On the way back from the vet yesterday, she was looking out the window and watching the lights. It gets better every day. We haven’t had her outside much (she’s using wee wee pads) because our temperatures have been in the sub-zero or just slightly above range, and more importantly, the winds have been ferocious, so I didn’t want to take any chances. She has a few more days of the antibiotic drops and atropine to keep the iris from getting sticky and then it will be prednisone drops for about a month. We’ve had two follow up visits so far, and he has not charged me for either of them. I don’t expect that to continue, but it was a nice saving on top of the already discounted fee for the surgery. I’m thrilled with how he treats Lola, he is kind and sweet to her and she just loves him. It is hard to fake that kind of caring. We hit the jackpot with this vet!

I will continue to keep you apprised of her progress as each recheck happens and when she does something that shows the improvement. Thank you again so much for helping this sweet little girl.

Josie Myers-Smith, Director
Westie Rescue of Western & Central New York

Update June 20, 2013

Lola had her appointment with Dr. B and got a clean bill of health.

Josie Myers-Smith, Director
Westie Rescue of Western & Central New York

Luzi

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

Luzi was a dream rescue Westie girl for the San Francisco Bay West Highland White Terrier Club’s non-profit Westie Rescue of Northern California. In addition to being the most popular request we get (female, one is two years old) she came already spayed, all shots up to date and no health issues. The family that came to mind for her new forever home, Teresa Carle and David Martinez, had served me well with fostering a six-year-old male who was one of five puppy mill Westies we had on hand all at once. This fairly feral foster (whose name has morphed from Seamus to Shamus to Tory to “The Great Ollie”) proved to be too stressful for their males, Romeo and Rufus, and they called and suggested their son as a suitable foster home. It was a terrific solution to a real need and Teresa continued to provide for his vet care (removal of neutering stitches). They also offered to foster any female to preclude gender rivalry. And then this little twelve-pound wonder Luzi was surrendered so her family could travel. Little did they know she was a traveler! And the author of Luzi’s story switches from Mary Young, SFBWHWTC Rescue Chair, to Teresa Carle and Dave Martinez:

Luzi came to us at the end of June of this year. Luzi is our fifth Westie, our second rescue, and our very first little girl. The moment Luzi arrived, she was instant friends with Romeo. They tore through the yard at top speed and leaped in and out of the wading pool until they were completely exhausted. For Romeo, also a two-year-old, it was love at first sight. Rufus, our nine-year-old, who has bladder cancer, took a bit longer to accept that she was actually going to stay, but they too are now best friends. Luzi can get Rufus to play even when he does not feel well.

When we walk the three of them in our Sacramento neighborhood, in downtown Calistoga, or through various campgrounds (we take the three in our RV), people always stop and talk to us and want to know all about the dogs. The boys are handsome for sure, but it is always Luzi, that receives the most compliments about how cute she is. Luzi only weighs twelve pounds, so she still looks like a puppy. She has such beautiful eyes and she is very charming.

Luzi’s most favorite thing in the entire world is to take walks. Her leash hangs in the laundry room and if she wants to go out, she will sit in her bed and stare at her leash and bark. She is a good little walker for such a tiny girl. She keeps up with Romeo who is near twice her size. Today, I put a raincoat on her for the first time, because we had to get out despite the constant drizzle. Boy was that fun, trying to get that raincoat on her! We have a bit of training to do. Luzi is a key part of our family and we know that she will comfort us all once our Rufus passes on. Today I bumped my head really hard and was in tears. Luzi was the first one to run over with a concerned look on her face and offers of kisses. We are very blessed to have this loving little girl in our lives.

And now back to Mary of SFBWHWTC Rescue. Luzi’s urinary tract infection proved to be non-responsive to antibiotic treatments so it was necessary for her to have surgery to remove crystals that were lodged in her urethra. A very complicated and expensive process made manageable by WestieMed’s generous contribution to this deserving Rescue and her family. We are both very grateful to WestieMed for fulfilling your mission to help needy rescues overcome unexpected and expensive medical costs. This little Westie will be back in the pool soon thanks to WestieMed. And also back “on the road again” charming all of Northern California with her sweet, engaging personality as she serves as an excellent “SpokesWestie for our breed, for our Rescue organizations and for WestieMed.

THANK YOU!

Mary Young, SFBWHWTC Rescue Chair
Teresa Carle and Dave Martinez

Update June 21, 2013:

Luzi is doing fantastic! She is so darn cute and getting better each time I groom her. She is much calmer and trusting. It just takes time. I have to remember that she was taken from her mommy. She loves to curl up right by my chest when I lay on the couch. Also, far fewer accidents with medication Proin and after her bladder stone surgery had time to heal. She gets rewards and praise. She is such a wonderful dog. She does have to wear a bark collar while we are gone because of the neighbor’s complaints. She is yappy without it but seems calm and happy with the collar on.

Teresa and Dave

Josie

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

Josie was surrendered by her owner on August 25, 2009, due to loss of job and eventual loss of their home. At the time Josie was ten years old, was reportedly a “borderline” diabetic, and was on a special diet. Our rescue vet, Montrose Animal Hospital in Marietta, Georgia, quickly discovered that she had full-blown diabetes and immediately started her on an insulin regimen. Josie has received insulin injections twice a day since then. Over the years that Josie has been in foster care, she has had several crises that required hospitalizations and regulation of her insulin. She now has a thyroid condition and last year was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, both of which require medications. She has also become profoundly deaf. However, all of these setbacks combined cannot stop her from being a very active, loving, and happy little girl.

Josie had what was considered a cyst on her left shoulder. The vet, staff, and foster family all kept an eye on it. However, it became badly infected in September of this year. Our vet decided it would be best to remove the cyst. However, during surgery, he said that the margins started swelling, which to him was indicative of a mast cell tumor. He took very wide margins and stapled her back together. Her insulin was also regulated once again, and she stayed with the vet for several days. The invoice for this hospitalization was $1,880.40. With our vet’s courtesy discount of 20%, the invoice still came to $1,504.32, which put a definite strain on our rescue funds.

The outcome, however, is astounding as you can see from this photograph taken October 20, 2012. Josie is healing very well and has returned to her bubbly, curious self once again. Our appeal to WestieMed for assistance in paying this invoice is due to the fact that our rescue funds have been dangerously depleted. The Westies surrendered or rescued from shelters for the past couple of years are either seniors with health issues or young Westies requiring some type of surgery. (We currently have Josie with diabetes, Cushing’s, and thyroid disease, Sparky with Addison’s Disease, and Charlie in renal failure, all requiring constant attention, in addition to two young females requiring knee surgeries.) Thankfully, all of these rescues are with dedicated foster families who are doting on their needs and have been giving their financial assistance when possible. However generous our members and partners have been, we are not able to keep up with the need.

The assistance that we receive from WestieMed will assist us in moving forward with the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned, neglected, and abused Westies.We are certainly very grateful to the Board of Directors of WestieMed for their love of the Westie breed and for their willingness to help.

Cynthia Levine, Chair
Atlanta Westie Rescue Committee
Westie Club of the South, Inc.
a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

Update March 23, 2013

Josie recently was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Of course, she hid it for so long that nothing could be done. She was finally in so much pain that the decision was made to humanely euthanize Josie. Following is the foster dad’s note and a recent photograph attached.

“Josie wants everyone to know that she’s waiting at the Rainbow Bridge not only for us but for each and every one of you who gave such boundless love and dignity and support over the last four years. She maintained her zest for life to the end peacefully cradled in Jeannie’s arms. We, too, are grateful and thank you for allowing us the joy of knowing and caring for Josie. She was a very, very special little girl who will always have a big place in our hearts. Thank you.”

Cindy Levine
Westie Club of the South, Inc.