The mission of Rainbow Rescues, Inc., in Casper, Wyoming, is to visit kill shelters in hopes of saving dogs that are about to be euthanized usually due to lack of space. One day a very small creature appeared, huddled in the back corner of a kennel. He was very dirty, yellow, shivering, and frightened beyond words – to the point of nipping when approached. Who knows “Bach’s” history? He was found at a waste treatment plant. Very difficult to get to for the little one; it did seem that he had been dumped. Fortunately, the shelter impounded him, cared for him the required seven day period for strays, and was willing to release him to rescue.
Bach – WestieMed Recipient
We went directly to the vet, mostly to see if he was closer to life or death. Good news: with a couple of baths, Bach magically became a white “swan.” He was determined to be about seven to eight years old and generally in good health. But he had been sorely neglected for years. Bach had four vet stays, three for surgeries. His teeth were cleaned (none had to be extracted,) a baseball-sized hernia was repaired and four to five small tumors were removed. Then several large warts were removed, one from his eyelid. Finally, two more tumors were removed. He had a complete health exam, blood screening, and many medicated baths which he quite enjoys. Bach’s coat is extremely thin, nonexistent in many places. There is no hair on his tail, back legs, or neck. He takes a couple of medications to encourage skin/coat health. Good food regularly and a sense of security have helped too.
Through all of this, Bach never nipped again. He certainly knows that he is no longer alone, out in the cold Wyoming weather. He has recovered nicely. After a couple of months of care and TLC, Bach turned out to be a doll. He loves basking in the sunshine, going for walks, eating, and more eating. And he is beginning to cuddle; it took a long time for him to be comfortable with that. He does sit up to win hearts – and it is very effective! All of his incisions have healed and some are even covered with hair! He is now housetrained, crate trained loves to ride on a pillow looking out the side window, and is very obedient and well mannered.
The donation from WestieMed to help with his medical expenses made it possible for Bach to be completely rehabilitated, physically and emotionally. He will be forever grateful for their compassion and generosity. According to the vet’s last comment, “he is making great progress and should have several years of healthy life ahead.” Bach may be enjoying the Utah sunshine for the rest of his life. He has a very positive forever home currently being evaluated.
Sincere appreciation for your assistance.
Rainbow Rescues, Inc. Bach, Valued Rescue Dog Jan Dodson, Director
Tess was pulled from a local kill shelter – her coat horribly overgrown, her past a mystery – all I was told was that she had been abandoned.
This dear little Westie suffers from tremors, or mini seizures daily, many times throughout the day. It is heartbreaking to see this sweet little girl staggering about and falling over when they strike.
She can’t play as other dogs do. It took her two weeks to realize what a toy was for. Even now she will only play with one, a little plush teddy bear. When she shakes it to ‘kill’ the teddy, in only a few moments she will drop him, staring blankly ahead of her, and then the tremor will begin.
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Starting at her ear tips, it works its way down her spine. If she is standing, she will stagger, then lock in place. If she was walking at the time, her legs will be locked in the walk stance. When the tremor works its way to her rear section, it frequently knocks her off balance and she lands on her side or her rump.
It has happened while coming back indoors, where she is locked in the walk stance – half inside, half outside. We must wait until the tremor releases her from its grip to continue coming in. I have noticed that her episodes are more numerous during times of drastic weather change.
During times of stress, I have noticed she would have a tremor every seven to ten minutes as we were trying to relax on the couch. They gradually dissipated in their intensity and allowed her to finally get some rest.
Her quality of life could be so much better. This is why I am requesting WestieMed’s help. She should be able to play like other dogs. She should be able to enjoy the outdoors without it bringing on such impingement in her life. She should be able to relax without her self-annoying leg kicks waking her repeatedly. Something is clearly wrong with her, something that is not showing up in the diagnostic testing we have already had performed on her.
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
It goes without saying that to us she is a very special Westie, she has our hearts and our home regardless of what the future may bring for her. As her caretaker, naturally I want her future to be a very bright one. There is a world to see and experience, and I want for her to be able to enjoy it as fully as possible.
Tess deserves no less than my very best efforts at making her quality of life as complete as possible. With WestieMed’s assistance, she can be seen by a Neurologist and get the diagnosis and treatment she needs.
Thank you for your approval of our application on Tess!
Sincerely, Linda Juszczyk
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Update March 25, 2005:
We have excellent news!
Tess is going to lead a normal life! With daily medication (Bromide), Dr. Parker feels she will do just fine. I asked if she will be able to play like other dogs, and he said absolutely.
He did say that what she exhibits is ‘very rarely seen and that she has quite a bag of tricks’. He said they are considered seizures, not tremors and it is definitely not White Shaker Syndrome.
He also said this is not in relation to a tumor in the brain. (Thank heavens!) It is also not a hereditary sort of seizure activity. It was likely brought on by either old head trauma or virus, something ingested once upon a time, maybe even low calcium in her mother’s milk when Tess was a nursing pup.
So no x-rays were ordered, no MRI. He sent us home with liquid Bromide to begin at a very low dose and do a gradual increase monthly until we find her optimum level. We see him again in three months unless there is a need before then.
Dr. Parker said the seizure type where you actually witness them traveling as hers do (from ear tips to tail, quite quickly) are very rare in humans, and even more so in canines.
Something which had been an unusual occurrence for Tess had become frequent this week. Her front legs slide out from her body doing the splits, and she will fall very suddenly and very hard. When she gets up, it will only happen again, and then a third time. It has been a rough week for her.
As her blood work previously done showed slightly elevated protein levels (which he said may just be normal for her) the decision was to not place her on Phenobarbital but to go for Bromide which is known to be kinder on the liver and other organs.
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Update May 2005:
Tess had been acting out of character, and I phoned her Neurologist to see if it could be a side effect of the KBr. He was unavailable, so I was referred to our regular vet. He opted to cut her KBr in 1/2, and add a very small dose of Phenobarbital (1/4 Gr) ~ see how she does, and recheck with our Neurologist.
The addition of the Phenobarbital did nothing in helping the seizure control. It did however give her signs of ataxia, where her hind legs would camp out behind her and did not wish to respond to her efforts to get them back under her and walking. She began doing the splits again with her front legs, falling hard face first. Due to the meds, she was sleeping much of the time, and in her waking hours, she was very uncoordinated, walking around the house as if drunk.
When we saw her Neurologist, he decided to drop the Phenobarbital completely as it was not helping her seizure control. He upped the KBr, which has been significantly lessening her seizures.
The irritability we thought was a side effect of the meds, was not. Upon exam, the Neuro found her hind leg response is not right. Her brain isn’t registering where the feet are, thus the unsteadiness and inability to place them correctly. This wasn’t the case the last time he saw her.
He palpitated her neck and spine very well and found extreme tenderness of the back. It had not been like this last visit. He took two x-ray slides of her spine, thinking she may have some degenerative bone disease going on.
As he throws the slides on the viewing screen, he said there was quite a surprise. Clear as day on the screen is the form of a solid, round metal object lodged against her spinal column. A ‘BB’. The vet said the BB stopped when it struck bone and lodged there. It may have been there for many years, we don’t know.
For some reason, this area has now become inflamed and is causing her a great deal of back pain. For one month she is to be on total crate rest, no jumping on the sofa, no stairs ~ we must lift her to go outside, etc. He’s giving her Prednisone to reduce inflammation and rechecking in two months.
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Someone used her for target practice at some point in her life. I can’t express myself freely, but I’m sure you can guess what I think of people who treat animals in such a way.
If anyone thinks BB’s are no big deal, they should see this and what she is going through.
WestieMed, thank you for your continuing support as we work through Tess’s health concerns. I don’t know what we would do without you. Due to your help, Tess is now receiving effective seizure control which is greatly restoring her quality of life.
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Update July 2005:
Hello WestieMed!
I want to thank you for all your help!
Our regular vet checked me recently and determined I have a urinary infection going on. They took my blood (!), and I sure didn’t like that! Also, they peered deep into my ears. The things they expect us to put up with! humph, I think they are checking my hearing. I did hear mum say much later that the blood test shows I am not at my ‘therapeutic level’ for seizure control. She told me not to worry, we’ll get there yet.
Mum took me back to the Neurologist (whatever that is) and he checked me out really well. He said my lower back is not bothering me as it did before…but he’s keeping a check on my upper back. They upped my meds for the seizures, and I’m feeling so much better! I’m not seizing as hard as before, and things seem much more clearer to me. Suddenly I have more energy ~ I play longer, and you should see me canter across the yard now! Mum says I remind her of a little pony.
Today I went back to the regular vet for a recheck. They said I still show a urinary infection, so we went home with some more meds. Would you believe they peered into my ears again?! What the heck is up with that? I heard them say I need another recheck in two weeks’ time. If it weren’t for the treats mum brings along, I’m not so sure I would go.
Mum says she sure can see a difference in me now! She was holding me at the vets and said I’ve got moves Madonna hasn’t even thought of yet! I don’t know what that means, but it seemed to make everybody happy. (Well, they did look a bit frazzled, but happy.)
Thank you WestieMed for assisting me to get the help I need to feel all better once again!
Tess
Update August 2005:
With your help, Tess is making remarkable progress! She is seeing a Neurologist and he is adjusting her Potassium Bromide levels to find her optimum dose. I can report that this week she is making great strides. The ‘drunkenness’ effects of the meds have worn off. This week she is stronger, more mentally alert, and aware of what is going on around her.
When the seizures strike, it now looks as if she is having a Charley Horse while walking. Her back legs tend to cramp and lock into place, but it only lasts a moment and then she is right back into doing her own thing. Huge progress! A stranger would not think it was a seizure. Her true sweet personality is in evidence; what a wonderful little girl someone threw away!
At her last checkup (last Friday) for a urinary infection, her tests came back that she is still showing signs of one. She has been under antibiotic treatment for a month for this. This Friday, Aug. 12th she is to go back in and have some urine drawn by the vet via a needle. He wants to see if the urine in the bladder is showing infection, or if her samples are being contaminated by her coat as it exists. She has been kept clipped to 1/4″ length for the summer and bathed. I am hoping for good results.
I can also report that her walks are doing her a world of good! Last week she cantered up and down a small grade in the park, all on her own with a huge smile on her face! It made my soul soar to view that, the pure joy of her running like that. No wobbles, no falling over, no blank stares – just a little body enjoying stretching out for a bit, feeling the wind in her face.
When she tires she is perfectly content to sit back in the stroller and let me take over, her little form happily laying upon my refrigerated knee pack. Since our park outings have begun, she has lost 2 lbs and looks so much better. It is obvious she is feeling better too, she is much more playful and responsive. She even got to go to Doggie Beach a few weeks ago and feel the sand beneath her toes, probably for the very first time. I’ll attach a photo from her outing.
Thank you WestieMed, for your continuing support of Tess. You have already made such a tremendous turn around in this little dog’s life! There is no doubt her quality of life is vastly improved.
Sincerely, Linda
Update December 2005:
I am very happy to relate to you that Tess is faring well! She has made great progress in her recovery – even more than I dared to hope she would. Her seizures are very close to being eliminated now. We’re awaiting the results of her blood drawn last week, so her meds may still require a little tweaking – but she has noticeably made tremendous strides!
On a recent walk last week, a friend commented she couldn’t believe she was the same dog! She is smiling, happy, coordinated – able to run and enjoy herself. A very far cry from the weak, trembling wreck who used to seize many times throughout each day.
Her seizures resemble just a little hitch in her stride most of the time now. Her mental clarity has improved vastly. At the park, she is the first to run up to greet new dogs – each one being a potential new friend in her mind. She is just a happy little sprite, eager to explore her world and surroundings.
I just can’t get over the change in her. What a wonderful companion animal she is making. Very sensitive to her surroundings, she is first to lend her support if you are having a bad day. I guess she knows how it feels!
Your funding for her recovery means much more to me than I can relate. I wonder how many years she had lived like that; which must have felt like living a half-life.
Thank you WestieMed board for giving Tess a whole new lease on life! Her future is looking very bright indeed.
Also, special thanks to Tess’ Neurologist Dr. Alan J. Parker of VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital, and her small animal Vet Dr. Joseph Caffarini of Lockport Animal Hospital for the magic they have worked on this little scamp.
Sincerely, Linda
Tess – WestieMed Recipient
Update February 2008:
It is with an incredibly heavy heart I write to inform you and the WestieMed Board that Tess has passed away.
There is so much I would like to say in thanks to all of you, but I am finding difficulty in relaying just how much of a difference your help has made to her life, and ours. You gave her quality of life back. I can’t express the effect your sponsorship made, and how many lives have been touched by this abandoned little girl.
Tess suffered a stroke in June of 2007. Her vet determined her age to be at least 14. As she was adopted, we’ll never really know. The following months were a series of ups and downs, but I was determined to keep her comfortable and her dignity intact as long as she wanted to be here. On January 23, 2008, she was put down by our small animal vet. We were the last clients of the day, it was a peaceful passing. Her little body had just plum given out and she was in a final decline she would not overcome.
I do believe this is the most difficult letter I have ever written, as my heart is very full and my home seems so empty without her.
Thank you again for everything. I wouldn’t trade my years with Tess for anything in the world.
I want to thank you for approving the funds to help me with the medical expenses for Annika’s heartworm treatment. Your generosity is graciously appreciated to help Annika back to health. Here is Annika’s story:
In February 2005, my friend Elizabeth, who owns two Westies and is affiliated with the Westie Rescue of Texas organization told me about a breeder who owned and operated a kennel in Fort Worth, Texas. Elizabeth had previously purchased two Westie puppies from this breeder. Elizabeth was aware that conditions at the breeder’s kennel had become deplorable and asked permission to take possession of three dogs that were no longer used for breeding.
Elizabeth brought me one of these dogs, a five-year-old Westie female, originally named Sneakers, who I renamed Annika. She was grotesquely dirty with feces in her snarled, mangled hair. I bathed her repeatedly attempting to eradicate the overwhelming odor. After special whitening shampoo and vigorous scrubbing, Annika’s coat turned from a foxy brown to a dusty pearl white shade. The groomer completed Annika’s make-over with a sheering job straight from the Australian sheep station. Stephanie, my friend who helps Elizabeth rescue Westies, brought Annika a flashy pink girly collar. Now, Annika at least looked GOOD and was house-worthy. Next stop: The Vet!
Annika had a multitude of nasty intestinal parasites but never fear, the multi-talented vet had the perfect elixir for that! However, Annika’s troubles didn’t end there. She tested positive for heartworms on February 25th. I am now going to be able to get the heartworm treatment started, which will save Annika’s life. She is a precious, mild-mannered, loving dog who deserves a fair shake. She is part of our family now.
Following the heartworm treatment, she will need vaccinations and spayed. Annika proudly wears her new stainless steel, bone-shaped tag and smiles because she is adopted and part of a loving family who is generous with their time, energy, and, yes, her favorite word: TREATS! Thank you again, Westiemed.
Sincerely, Dawn A. Logan, Annika’s new Mom
Update, April 2005:
With the heartworm and intestinal parasite treatment that Annkia has received, she has been transformed from a docile creature who had been kept in a breeding kennel all her life to a marvelous, fun-loving, affectionate, energetic fivew-year-old who seeks out toys to play with and hovers in anticipation that I will throw the ball so that she can happily retrieve it in a speedy fashion. The heartworm treatment done two months ago was successful; I am now able to end her confinement in the crate so that she is able to follow me from room to room, go on rides in the car, and take regular walks, which is part of my daily routine. Annika has responded beautifully to the care which she has received during the heartworm treatment and we have bonded very closely. She knows I am her Mom and that I will take care of her needs and most of her wants! She is willing to please and is learning a few basic commands. Her appetite is ravenous and she is getting stronger.
Annkia’s future will be bright because of the medical assistance from WestieMed. Thank you for your approval of her application.
Annika is now a very happy, loving dog who has people around her who shower her will affection and provide for her safety and well being.
I will continue to help with Westie Walks like the one we had this past weekend at Veterans Park in Arlington, Texas, to help raise money for WestieMed so that other Westies who need medical assistance can have the care they deserve.
Sincerely, Dawn A. Logan
Annika – WestieMed Recipient
Update, September 4, 2005:
Annika is a well-behaved, happy five-year-old, and has endeared herself to both my husband and me. She is currently in obedience training and from our point of view, she is at the head of the class. We are extremely appreciative of the help from WestieMed and will continue to contribute to WestieMed at the sanctioned Westie Walks each year.
I run a small dog rescue and a commercial dog breeder asked me if I would take Penny, a fivee-year-old Westie female in his kennel because her health was deteriorating for unknown reasons. Her hair was falling out and she was losing weight. I took her to my vet who gave her a thorough exam and did blood work, all of which was inconclusive. He suspected food allergies and put her on a special diet, Science Diet Z/D ($52 for 18 lbs!).
Another possible cause for her condition could have been uterine infection or disease, so the next step was to spay her. He didn’t see anything unusual about her uterus or ovaries, so he did a liver biopsy when he spayed her. While waiting on the results, she starting looking better, and while the results indicated that she was producing excessive steroids that could be due to diseased adrenal glands, it is possible that a tumor in her ovaries or uterus could have been what was causing the excessive hormones.
Penny’s breeder/owner told me that Penny had become increasingly agitated about being confined and that he had to take extra precautions to prevent her from escaping her whelping quarters and roaming the neighborhood. My vet said that history supported his theory that a tumor in her reproductive tract was producing excessive testosterone, so we will wait two weeks to see is her condition improves. If it does, then the problem was probably in her reproductive tract. If not, the problem is in her adrenal glands and she’ll have to start treatment for that. As a precaution, we will also keep her on the special diet for now as she could also have food allergies as well.
Needless to say, the vet bills were mounting!! I’m an independent rescuer whose only source of income for the rescue is adoption fees, and Penny’s vet bills would far exceed her adoption fee, so I turned to WestieMed for assistance and they came to the rescue, covering her vet bills.
Cutie got his name from the office manager at my vet’s office. I had just gotten him from his breeder the night before and hadn’t been told his name, so she quickly named him for the records.
Cutie was surrendered to me because I run a small dog rescue, and he had a huge hernia in is the groin. While my vet gives me a very generous discount for my rescued dogs, he estimated Cutie’s surgery to repair this hernia would run $200 – $400. Since adoption fees are my only source of income for my rescue organization, and an eight-year-old retired stud dog wasn’t going to bring anywhere near that much money for his adoption fee, I turned to WestieMed for financial assistance, and they agreed to fund his vet bill.
He’ll have the surgery next week, as well as dental work and he’ll be neutered, and will then be available for adoption. He’s a very good, very sweet, mild-mannered boy and will make a wonderful companion for some lucky person.
Cutie had his surgery today. it was a hernia…a huge inguinal hernia and the testicle on that side had become infected too. H also had to have a lot of teeth pulled. The vet said in a few weeks he’ll feel like a new dog…and that he had to have been in a tremendous amount of pain for a very long time ;-(
Pat
Cutie – WestieMed Recipient
Update: May 29, 2005:
Here is Woody. He is doing so well. This is the cutest, funniest little dog you can imagine. He is totally mellow about everything. He’s super affectionate, gentle, and fun-loving. We have now had him about three and half months, he is mostly housetrained and just a delight to live with. He will be getting his first haircut in about two weeks. We’re looking forward to his new image. He is healthy, active, and just great. He gets along well with our other Westie rescue, Muffy. She is a nine-year-old female from a puppy mill near Kansas City. We have had her for two and a half years. His “zipper” on his belly healed beautifully. It is difficult to find it now. We put his dog food through the food processor because he has so few teeth, but he LOVES to eat. We are feeding them Eagle Pack, which was recommended to us by a dog groomer. They really like it. His coat is thick and healthy. He almost never scratches, doesn’t seem to have allergy problems at all. This is a great dog! Thanks so much for letting us be his forever family.
A commercial dog breeder contacted me and said he had a Westie pup with a deformed leg and asked if I could take her into my rescue. I took her to my vet who examined her and took X-rays. Her left rear leg bent at the hip only, but she was able to use it and it didn’t seem to hinder or hurt her any. The vet had never seen anything like it and was at a loss as to what to do, but thought it would cause problems as she grew. He suggested amputating it.
I didn’t want to have the leg amputated, so I contacted a lady I knew who was involved in Westie rescue to see if she might know what was wrong with the pup that I was now calling Baby Girl, as she was a tiny little five-week old baby girl. She e-mailed some other Westie rescuers and they all recommended that I take her to a vet school where she would be examined by specialists with state-of-the-art facilities.
Baby Girl – WestieMed Recipient
One of the Westie rescuers recommended that I contact WestieMed for financial assistance. I did and they were eager to help this precious little angel, so I arranged for her to go to a vet school six hours from here. The vets there said her leg had been broken and had healed and her quadriceps was just scar tissue. There was nothing that could be done for her, but the leg shouldn’t cause her any problems unless she scraped her toes or pads when she walked – in which case they suggested a bootie or sock, etc. to protect her foot.
Baby Girl is now fourteen weeks old now up for adoption.
This precious little Baby Girl came into our lives the weekend before Easter in March of this year all the way from Arkansas to Lexington, Kentucky all in one day. Marge and Tom who you read about in this section were so nice and helped to transport this little one and we met them in Paducah. We named her Miss Mckenzie Starbucks as our first stop when we got home was Starbucks and we found out she LOVES all coffee!!!!!
Miss Mckenzie is a joy to have around. She has a ball with her Westie sister, Jasmine, who is six years old, and her Westie brother, Baxter, a rescue who is four and half years old. Jasmine and Mckenzie play for hours and when they get too wild Baxter acts as the referee. She loves to be outside and loves to go around the fence line looking for the black Labs next door or the mixed breed on the other side next door. She is very affectionate along with being quite a character. Everyone loves her personality. She is very confident and is not afraid of anyone or anything except maybe the firecrackers she heard last night!!!! She has become the Alpha of the house taking nylabones right out of Baxter and Jasmine’s mouths. She is very sneaky and a riot to watch. She is also very intelligent and keeps us all on our toes.
Her bad hind leg does not cause her ANY problems or slow her down at all. She keeps up with the other two and you would never tell she had a problem. She is always a happy pup and has just recently become a water dog. We bought an eleven-foot pool and put milk crates upside down in the water to make a platform. She loves the water and will jump off the platform and then dog paddle to us. It is amazing to see her. She has no fear and just LOVES the water.
We want to thank Pat at Small K-9 Rescue and Westie ed for giving her the chance to live a normal life. We are so glad they did not have to amputate her leg. Thank you again for letting us give Mckenzie her forever home and for sending this precious angel to us.
Austin was in essence abandoned at my home. I had originally volunteered to baby-sit Austin over the Thanksgiving holiday, 2004, while his owners went out of town to relatives for the holiday.
Austin is seven years old and he has Addison’s disease. He came to my home in an emaciated condition. Every bone in his body was protruding, and his head was sunken in the space above his eyes and between his ears. The rear half of his body was primarily pink and black skin. The hair that was left in his rear quarters was mostly a dark red color. His family told me they were going to have him put to sleep that day (Wednesday the 23rd even though they had arranged for me to sit for him), but Austin’s eleven-year-old boy had been so devastated for weeks about it that they decided to put it off until they returned.
It was a very difficult weekend for me simply because Holidays can be that way and I was caring for a sick dog. We already have three dogs in our house, and I was looking forward to Austin’s family’s return.
But…Austin the Westie was such a sweet boy and being the soft heart for all animals, I vowed to put some meat on his bones before he had to go home. Could I do it in four days? I cooked fresh chicken (two Chickens) and Rice to feed to him, and enough to send home with him. It was my goal to make him look and feel better so his family would keep him for his boy’s sake. Austin ate not only chicken and rice but the dog food that I give my own dogs ate. He ate as if he couldn’t get enough. I bathed him, removed his fleas, and clipped his nails that were so long that they clicked loudly on the wood floors.
He was taking Prednisone and drank an extreme amount of water. I truly think it was coming out faster than his body could put it to any use at all. So this meant at least three trips outside during the night, and I had to go with him because he would just look at me when I opened the door. Maybe because he was used to being attached to a leash to go out. He had many accidents in the house during his first few days.
Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, and the day before Austin was to leave, his family called and said they had gotten a new puppy for Austin’s boy. I knew in my heart what this meant for Austin…that he had been replaced. Instantly I was saddened and I told my husband that I couldn’t let Austin get put to sleep during the holidays. I knew that Austin’s eleven-year-old boy’s heart would be broken. I had begun to fall in love with Austin and my heart was broken too as soon as I knew he had been replaced. They returned on Sunday to pick up Austin. His boy started crying as soon as he walked in the door and saw Austin. His mother told me she was having him put to sleep the next day because of his health and the expenses. By this time, even though Austin still looked very sick, his temperament had improved drastically. He had become friendlier with my dogs and bounced around like he wasn’t sick. I knew I could improve his health and his looks. It only required my patience, love, consistent medication, good food, and basic care.
The additional veterinary expenses, additional to my other pets, were a primary worry. At this point, I started looking into Addison’s Disease for symptoms and if there were any alternative care to the steroids the disease required. Then I started searching for places where I could buy the medicines he required. I didn’t come up with anything reasonable. Austin ran out of medication within maybe two weeks after his arrival. He went into an adrenal crisis. He shook constantly and wouldn’t eat or drink. His family said he wouldn’t be issued another prescription without blood work and the prescription was quite expensive for my family to deal with. I called his vet and talked her into one more prescription without all the blood work, and she conceded since he was in a crisis. She said that this was “the last one” she would issue without blood work. His crisis lasted about three days. It was crazy! I found myself on the floor pretending I was lapping water, dipping my finger in and placing drops in his mouth to get him to take a lick of it. I coaxed him with primarily cooked chicken for food. He took in enough to get him through this bad time. Fortunately, he had added a little weight before this happened. He lost most of what he had gained previously, during this crisis. Slowly he became himself again. I continued to love and give Austin the care he desperately needed and continued to search the Internet for possible help.
I came across WestieMed, and I applied for help for Austin. By this time, I had around 6 days of medication left. WestieMed responded very quickly and, though, in a professional manner, you could tell they actually cared. Arrangements were made, and Austin was taken to the vet on a Monday. He would have run out of his medication that Wednesday, and I was faced with having him euthanized myself due to the medical expenses he required. In trying to help, I had put myself and Austin in this situation again. By this time Austin had become our wild, wild Westie. He was so loving, active, and playful. It broke my heart even more.
WestieMed came through and Austin’s life was saved for another time.
Austin is still at my home today, almost exactly two months later. He has gotten most of his hair back and actually had gained almost six pounds by the time he got his veterinary visit. Little did I know that he had only weighed eleven pounds (according to his vet records) and maybe a little less. He was feather-light. Now he weighs almost seventeen pounds. His ears are even starting to get a little fuzzy. He’s starting to look like a healthy, happy Westie.
Due to his constant veterinary bills, and even though he has become part of my family, it is for Austin’s sake that I need to give my iddy biddy Westie to Westie Rescue. They will maintain his health and find an adoptive home for him with someone who can afford to take care of his health needs. I am learning about these rescue services and didn’t know they existed. I am confident they will ensure Austin has a secure loving home. He will be leaving us tomorrow for Michigan, pending the weather coming into our area tonight.
Attached is a picture of Austin with my son. This is a day or two after I applied for WestieMed help for Austin.
Thank You WestieMed and Michigan Westie Rescue.
Linda Brown
Austin March 2005 – WestieMed Recipient
Update, April 2005:
Austin has been adopted and now lives in a home with two other Westies (one who also had Addison’s) and two kitties. He is doing very well.
Austin – WestieMed Recipient
Update, May 9, 2005:
This is an update on Scoorie (formerly known as Austin to you). He is doing quite well and has even had the experience of being groomed (see attached picture) and who would have thought that possible seeing his previous picture. He has two westie companions, Misty and Keddy and though he is the oldest, he keeps them going. Thanks so much for the wonderful assistance you provided him. He is truly a pleasure.
Sincerely, Pam
Update, July 2005:
Scoorie is doing just fine. He has adjusted well to sharing my attention with two other westies who preceded him. My interest in Scoorie was due to my original westie having Addison’s disease and I felt I could handle another dog and why not one with Addison’s? His AD is well controlled with monthly injections and daily meds. His coat is just wonderful, he has been groomed twice since coming to me in March. No signs of allergies, fleas, etc.
Your organization has my sincere thanks for what you did for Scoorie. He is a delightful companion, always following me around every time I move. If I can ever be of help to your organization (and I hope to be able to send monies) please let me know. I firmly believe in rescue, having taken Scoorie, and also believe that dogs with problems can become wonderful pets with the right placement.
Lacey came to Westie/Cairn Terrier Rescue when she was thirteen years old. She had been owned by the same family since she was a puppy and they had taken very good care of her. They had her spayed, kept her shots and heartworm up to date and did some very expensive surgery on her back knees.
Lacey had a history of bladder infections and this family had her ultrasound and it was discovered that her kidneys were smaller than they were supposed to be. The left kidney has dilated collecting ducts and is slightly smaller than normal and this may be what is precipitating the infections. She gets blood in her urine when this happens and she strains to urinate.
Lacey’s luck turned bad when the family made the decision to get a Boxer puppy and the two of them would get into fights. Instead of finding a home for the Boxer, the kids made the decision that they had to keep the pup and that Lacey (even though she had always lived with this family) would have to be the one to go.
So, at thirteen years of age, she came into rescue, and after a few months, a home was found with an older lady who vowed to give little Lacey a forever home. She kept Lacey about a year and a half and then got sick and had to move in with her son. Again, Lacey was sent packing back to rescue. She had another bladder infection and had blood in her urine and was put on Baytril. She seems to get better, and then a few weeks later, the blood reappears, and she strains to urinate.
I decided to get to the problem and had Dr. Kristine Rabb do a urinalysis, complete bloodwork, and an x-ray. Her bloodwork came back normal and her x-ray didn’t show any stones or abnormalities and the only thing her urinalysis showed were clumps of white cells attacking the infection. Lacey was put on Clavamox for fourteen days and C/D dogfood and for now the blood has gone away.
Thank you WestieMed for helping me with some of the bills accumulated for Lacey. I am caring for fifteen rescue dogs, and your help comes at a time when finances are tight.
Lacey is available for adoption, and if someone can give this sweet, little girl a loving home for the last of her years, she (and I) would be so grateful.
Carla Smith
Update, June 2005:
Lacey is still with rescue and her chances of getting a forever home are slim-to-none as no one wants a 16-year-old. She continues to have bladder infections, and I continue to medicate her. She will stay with me until it is time for her to go to the Rainbow Bridge.
I thank you WestieMed for helping with some of her vet bills, and if she does get a home, I will be sure and tell you. You provide a wonderful service to those of us with little Westies that are hardship cases. I will always be in your debt, as will little Lacey.
Carla Smith Westie/Cairn Terrier Rescue
Lacey – WestieMed Recipient
Update, November 2005:
On November 29th, little Lacey went to the Rainbow Bridge. She quit eating a couple of days ago and seemed to be genuinely uncomfortable with the way she was laying. Her tumor had progressed to golf-ball size, and the cancer was finally becoming unbearable to her, so we made the sad trip to the vet where she went peacefully to sleep.
