JuJu - WestieMed Recipient December 2017

JuJu

In September I was web surfing and found the Rescue Westies of Missouri site. I filled out an application of interest, since a month before we had lost our previous Westie “Cutty” to cancer, and were missing our little boy. My wife and I had decided we would never have another dog because it was so painful to lose them. Then I received an immediate response that our application was received, but there were not dogs available. I had mentioned in the application we had spent thousands on our precious little boy, because of a congenital heart condition, and we were not ready to handle another Westie with significant issues.  I received a Facebook post of an abused dog that found a forever home, with the caption, “you can’t change the world, but you can change the world for someone”.

Approximately ten minutes after being told there were no dogs available, we received the first picture of JuJu in the cage, sadly we were to find out that she was significantly better in that picture, then when she was found. My wife and I looked at her, and after we quit crying at the sad shape she was in, we called and talked to Sue Hon about this rescue. The hope was she would get better, may grow hair, but was deaf, and there was no one interested in her.

We told her it would be a week before we could drive across Missouri to see her. We set up a time and one week later got to meet JuJu. The rest is history, she was ours, and we promised to change her world, she cuddled up to us and seemed to say, OK let’s go home.

JuJu - WestieMed Recipient December 2017
JuJu – WestieMed Grant Recipient

We have had our little girl for two months, the second picture shows her love to watch her iPad, and relax on the porch.

She has had multiple vet visits, medications, and special food. She was referred to a Dermatologist after there was minimal improvement, on a closer exam, and, skin, tissue, and hair analysis, a new care plan was developed.

It will be a long road for her, at least a year of medications, three times a week shots, special shampoo baths, and a strict special food diet.  BUT the good news is she is showing some improvement, all open areas of skin are closed and healed, she seems happy with us, and is completely comfortable taking over the entire king-sized bed we sleep in.

Our lives are better because she is in it, our first Christmas will be special. Life is what happens after we make our plans, next year will she have hair, be beautiful, and forget what had happened to her, I don’t know the future but she knows we are hers and we love her.

David

Update June 2018

JuJu - WestieMed Recipient December 2017
JuJu – WestieMed Grant Recipient

It is good to hear from you, and that you remember our little girl JuJu. It has been a long struggle with some successes, since October when we adopted her. I think the best way to say it is, two steps forward and one step backward. She continues to get significant swelling in her feet, she has one spot on each foot and the base of her tail that she will attack and still chew and lick raw. She continues to get recurring ear infections.

Now the good news, she is down to just weekly allergy shots, they had hoped it would be only every other week, or be done with shots by now. They are thinking she will never be able to stop them. We are transitioning her into nonprescription food, god love her she is so spoiled with daily deli-sliced meat and scrambled eggs, we joke that when it is time to start, the hair/coat diet she will turn her nose up at it. The positive side is that digestive wise she tolerates the change. All her skin cultures are returning negative, that means all the yeast, staph, MRSA infections are gone, and all her skin is intact with no open areas. Her ear infections are less frequent and she actually had periods when both ears are clear and healthy.

The Dermatologist and the two vets that care for her, feel that her allergies are what continues to be the underlying problem, and it may a full year of the continued treatment and shots before it is completely under control.

Her hair has filled out well on top and neck, and portions of each leg and feet have filled out some, but her belly remains pretty bald, with little fuzz developing, they are not sure due to the skin damage if she will ever get hair in those areas. We have the most incredible dog groomer that hand trims her, to make her look as much like a Westie as possible.

Being deaf, she can’t hear when we tell her how much we love her, but she does allow us on our king-sized bed at night and she has learned to share our pillows with us. She loves to go on walks, has developed a friendship with a neighbor Westie (Phoebe) and a Corgi (Wally). She finally has started to smile from time to time and not have such a sad look as she did for so long. She will let you hug and hold her for hours on end if she has finished her napping. When we take care of the grandkids when they are ill she always sits by them and watches over them the whole time they are here.

The Dermatologist thanks us for being so diligent with her. She claims to be putting her daughter through college on our fees, always happy to support higher education. We are blessed that all the people working with her are as caring and concerned for her as we are. Truly we had hoped she would be this beautiful healthy white Westie by now, but that dream is still some time in the future.

Barkley - WestieMed Recipient November 2017

Barkley

We have been a Westie owner for over twelve years and have talked often about adding to our family. We thought helping a Westie in need would be rewarding for both ourselves and whoever we rescued. So I became a member of the Westie Rescue of Missouri Facebook page and followed many beautiful stories of rescues finding their fur-ever homes. I hoped someday we would be as lucky.

About 2 weeks ago WRM posted that an eight-year-old Westie (Barkley) was in a shelter in Kansas and needed immediate help. Since the shelter would not release Barkley to WRM they asked if anyone could rescue Barkley from the shelter. I didn’t even have to think about it, I immediately said I would go.

The shelter is three hours from my home so I made a call to the shelter to see if he was still there. They called me back at closing and said he was and that I should call back in the morning when they opened. If there was no one there at their doors first thing when they opened wanting to adopt Barkley, I would get to adopt him. So I held my breath and called first thing. He was still available! They took all my information and my daughter and I jumped in the car to pick him up.

The family that surrendered him said that since they had four other dogs, they couldn’t give Barkley the proper care and attention he deserved. He was neglected physically. He was in need of a serious bath and grooming. He had several hot spots from a previous flea issue and allergies.

We noticed immediately that he had a really good disposition despite the situation he was in. We did not have to coax him in the car. He jumped right in as if to say “Please get me out of here!”  He settled right in for the 3-hour ride home. He was a perfect angel.

Once we got home later that day we noticed he was drinking excessive amounts of water.  My other Westie never drinks that much so I wasn’t sure. I had already scheduled a vet exam for the following day so I made a note to discuss the water drinking. The next morning we took Barkley in for a bath and groom then on to the vet.

Our vet was concerned as well about the excessive water drinking and ordered blood work to test for diabetes and Cushing’s disease as well as other parasites. The blood work results would take 24 to 48 hours. She gave him a couple of extra immunizations that he was missing and prescribed an itching medication for his skin issues. He also has bad dental issues that will be addressed very soon.

That night Barkley started throwing up and diarrhea.  I thought maybe it was the stress of being in the shelter and now another new environment. As well as the immunizations. So back to the vet the next day. He had no temperature so she agreed it was probably stress. So she gave him a shot for nausea and medication for diarrhea. She put him on prescription bland food for a few days. She said the blood work results came back negative for diabetes and Cushing’s yet his SDMA levels were elevated which might indicate a kidney issue. She will retest him in thirty days.

Within twenty-four hours his vomiting/diarrhea stopped and he backed off the excessive water consumption. We are slowly transitioning him to healthy permanent food. We hope the new food and better grooming will help with his skin issues.

Barkley - WestieMed Recipient November 2017
Barkley – WestieMed Recipient

He is what I would call the typical Westie. Major Westitude and stubborn for sure!  LOL. This is new to us because our Chloe is the most obedient Westie ever. I was able to train her from two months of age.  He has no manners so we are working on this. We figured his surrender family did not train him properly so even though he is eight years old we are teaching him some basic manners.

He and Chloe are getting along very well. They are about the same size. She’s a small fourteen pounds and he id twenty pounds. He’s not as spry as Chloe even though he is four years younger and the first couple of days walked around like an old man. He was very scared and could not go down our stairs at first. It took him a week but he has now learned to go down them.

It has now been eleven days since we adopted Barkley.  We are happy to say we are seeing more energy and interaction. He’s more playful and likes to talk LOL. Our Chloe rarely barks and Barkley definitely lives up to his name!  He talks to us in this low voice when he wants something and if we don’t answer him, he will bark. The talking is really cute but we will be working on inside voices LOL.

We are so very thankful to WRM and WestieMed. The vet bills in the first three days were more than expected and the future major dental work was going to be a strain. WestieMed has agreed to help with the expenses and we are so very grateful for them. Barkley is so sweet and is fitting in so well with our little family. He has found his fur-ever home.

I can’t wait to give you more updates. We’re hoping for good news on the SDMA levels.

Thank you again WestieMed for all your help!!

Denise Elkins

Update January 9, 2018

Barkley - WestieMed Recipient November 2017
Barkley – WestieMed Recipient

Barkley has now been with us two months and he has settled in very nicely. He has flourished and his appearance has improved 100%.

Last time, I mentioned that Barkley’s SDMA levels were out of range which could mean early kidney disease.  Dr. Nelson wanted to redo the test after Barkley had settled in because stress could also cause his levels to be off.

We had new bloodwork done last week and though his SDMA levels improved greatly, now his B.U.N levels were not in the normal range.

That too could mean early kidney disease so she had me collect a urine sample to check his urine concentration. I must say, that was a site. Me chasing Barkley at 6 am in the back yard trying to catch his pee.

Unfortunately, his urine concentration numbers were not where they needed to be so Dr. Nelson spoke with specialist and I am sad to say that Barkley has been diagnosed with early kidney disease.

The good news is, we caught it very early so no major damage to his kidneys has occurred.

We are starting him on a prescription kidney-friendly food ASAP (Hills K/D.) to help prevent any future damage. We have to stay away from a high protein diet because it’s hard on kidneys according to the vet. Dr. Nelson says since we caught it very early, diet changes and monitoring will add years to his life.

We have all fallen in love with Barkley in these 2 short months and want to make sure he’s around a long time. 

We hope to keep him healthy for a long time.

Just look at that face!!  He looks so happy. 

Denise

Update June 2018

Barkley - WestieMed Recipient November 2017
Barkley – WestieMed Recipient

Barkley is doing fantastic!

Because of his early kidney disease diagnosis, I now cook him a low phosphorus food and he loves it. He’s lost 3 lbs. which makes his vet happy.

He recently had his urine concentration checked and our vet was very happy with his numbers. He said what I’m doing is working great and no medication is needed at this time.

He’s a funny little guy. He wants outside constantly. He goes in and out just like a kid. He loves to explore the rock wall in our backyard looking for any varmints. Our thirteen-year-old female Westie Chloe finally accepted him fully into the family. No more cold shoulder.

He’s a very early riser!! He wants to be fed at 5 am sharp. He’s very loving but if you move him over in the middle of the night while he’s sleeping he’s a grumpy old man and grunts at you. He usually has his own bed but since my husband is working out of town for a few weeks he wants to sleep in my bed with my other Westie Chloe and me. If my granddaughter spends the night he likes to snuggle up to her.

He loves to play with his toys. After breakfast, b he runs back in the bedroom and throws his toys around and chases them. We are so happy he’s doing so well.

We recently had the opportunity to adopt a Westie puppy from another owner who used the same vet. She was gifted two puppies but it was too much for her. Our vet asked if we wanted another Westie. I said that I was looking for one for my granddaughter, so my oldest daughter adopted the male. His name is Waffles. I put the owner in touch with Missouri Westie Rescue to help rehome the female. Waffles comes over to visit and Barkley and Chloe are tolerating him. He’s got a lot of energy so they let him know when they’ve had enough.

Barkley has been such a joy and we love having him. I’m his 4th owner but definitely his last!!!

Thanks again for all your support.

Denise

Charlie Bear - WestieMed Grant Recipient October2017

Charlie Bear

Charlie Bear was found wandering the streets of Denton in Manchester. He had been wandering a while and was hard to catch, because of his fear of humans. The lovely lady that found him couldn’t keep him as she had an elderly and poorly dog herself so he was taken by the dog wardens to Manchester Dogs Home. A worker there soon realized he was a West Highland Terrier with lots of problems. She knew he would struggle in the kennel’s environment as it is very stressful and not the right place for a scared little dog! She contacted a breed-specific rescue on Facebook and I was asked if I wouldn’t mind going and collecting him, fostering him with the view of getting him well and re-homed when the time was right.

When I collected him, I won’t lie he smelled very bad! His fur around his back end was completely matted to his skin with urine and feces. In fact, his fur was matted all over his little body, his skin was terrible underneath and he needed to be completely shaved so we could treat his skin. His ears were completely blocked with infection, fur, and general dirt from being left for so long. He more worryingly had a problem with his left eye, it appeared to be much smaller, very angry looking and had shrunk back into his eye socket. He also had a nasty cough. He was in such a state I rushed him straight to my Vet for a complete assessment.

Charlie Bear had numerous and repeated tests. He was anesthetized and sent for several x-rays, they actually found he had a fracture of his skull and left eye socket! He had suffered a blunt force trauma to the head/face and this had caused his left eye to die. I was advised he would be better off having his eye removed as it was causing him constant pain. A set price was arranged with the rescue group and Charlie Bear had lots attended to while he was asleep. He had his eye removed, both ears completely cleaned, he was castrated, he also had another x-ray to rule out Westie Lung Disease because of his coughing. He doesn’t have WLD thank goodness! Unfortunately Charlie Bear continued to show signs of being unwell, and the rescue decided that his chances of being re-homed were unlikely, I was at this point asked to become his forever foster Mummy. I jumped at the chance to help this little boy flourish as much as he could.

Charlie Bear has sadly developed Epilepsy, his seizures are very distressing to watch, but I do my best to comfort him. They have in recent weeks become worse in severity and length. On a recent Vet visit I was asked again if they could refer him for an MRI scan to try and find a cause, the Vet at the time suspected a brain tumor, which has scared me no end!

I have had to put the Vets off previously because sadly the original rescue that rescued Charlie Bear has now abandoned him and withdrawn his funding. I am now part of a small fundraising group whose main priority is Charlie Bear but we are only very small and cannot cover the whole cost on our own. With WestieMed’s help we will now be able to get Charlie Bear his MRI scan and know what, if anything, we are fighting. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.

Emma Dean

Update July 9, 2018

I had managed to save enough to take Charlie Bear and his brother on a little holiday to the beach which they loved.

Charlie Bear has had his MRI and spinal tap tests, they thankfully showed no tumor or brain abnormalities. They looked at his spinal fluid and that showed no signs of infection or foreign bodies. The specialist diagnosed Idiopathic Epilepsy but isn’t completely convinced because he doesn’t have a typical seizure pattern or reaction.

He was started on Epiphen tablets but we’ve had to increase these three times now as he’s gone on to develop cluster seizures on top of single seizures. His liver isn’t liking the medication so that is reacting and showing signs of stress. I started him on Milk Thistle hoping it will help but sadly it isn’t. His latest increase has caused major skin problems so we are waiting on a phone call from his Vet, he has developed hive-like spots and is almost ripping his fur out. Despite all this, his personality shines through.

He learned to play but only with certain toys when he wants. He is very loving but also very cheeky! He decided to help himself to the sausages earlier because the door had been left open slightly, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.

Thank you again for the help in getting his tests, without your amazingly kind generosity I’d be struggling to get him diagnosed.

Kind Regards.

Emma Dean (Mummy Bear)

Selena - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017

Selena

In late June, I signed on Facebook to find that several of my many Westie loving Facebook friends had sent me, Director of Westie Rescue NYC, a link to a tiny seven-year-old Westie mix who had come to find herself abandoned in the NYC shelter. Her name was Selena, and she weighed only eleven pounds. She came from East Harlem, NYC, having been brought to the shelter by a neighbor of her owner after her owner had become too ill to take care of her. Well even in her bedraggled state, she looked cute-as-a-button in her intake pic. I knew I could not leave her there even after the shelter informed me that her teeth were very bad and that she had arthritis. She also had cataracts, but at that time, I didn’t know that she was practically blind. Selena’s condition put her into a precarious position. If the right person or rescue did not come along who was willing to take her, Selena could very well be put to sleep. Of course, I took her home with me!

The good news was that Selena had already been spayed before going into the shelter, so she didn’t need to have that operation, which meant that I could bathe her right away. Cute-as-a-button though she was, she was also very, very stinky!

More good news! The stains on Selena’s front teeth had made them look to be much worse than they actually were. After a dental that required only three extractions of tiny front teeth, Selena had a movie star smile to match her fantastic personality. And she showed few signs of arthritis. Almost immediately I had a potential adopter lined up for her.

Selena proved to be one sweet, sweet dog who loved nothing better than to be right by my side. She immediately got along well with my twenty-year-old cat and with one of my Westies, twelve-year-old Missy Paulette, who is usually very jealous. She didn’t get along as well with sixteen-year-old Casey Jane, but then no one does except Missy Paulette. When Casey Jane snapped at Selena, Selena didn’t snap back. She would only try to move out of the way. But Selena kept getting into Casey Jane’s way, and so I began to suspect that maybe she couldn’t see very well.

Soon it became more obvious that Selena could not see very well. When walking, if not watched, she would walk right into a building or off a curb. At home, she liked to stay in one place either on the bed or on the couch. When I would come into the room, she would gaze towards me, with an inquisitive unfocused stare.

Selena’s adoption fell through. The couple that was going to adopt her did not feel able to take on an almost blind dog.

By this time, I had fallen in love with Selena and I knew I had to find a foster home for her quick. Not only was I working long hours, but with three senior pets of my own, keeping her was not the right thing to do. Luckily, a wonderful foster home was found and Selena’s foster mother will continue with her story.

During the first week in August, Monica posted Selena’s story and photo on Facebook. I knew Monica already had two senior Westies, so I offered to foster Selena.  When Selena arrived, I took my Westie, Milo who is also a rescue, outside to meet them and go for a nice walk in the park right across the street. Milo took an interest in Selena immediately, and so did I. She is a little love bug. And when we met up with a friend of mine who spoke to her in Spanish, Selena’s ears perked up.  We realized at that moment that she is bilingual.

Selena - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017
Selena – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Selena settled in with us quickly. I noticed a difference in just a few days.  Her appetite improved, she loves her treats and she loves eating out of Milo’s bowl, even though she has one of her own!  She is a feisty little thing, very funny and a real charmer. All she wants is to love and be loved. I know she can’t see, but she looks at you as if she is looking into your soul. I now call her Lena. Here she is with Milo.

It was clear to me from the beginning that Lena couldn’t see well because she bumped into things a lot. She has walked into my front door head first.  When we got into the building elevator, she couldn’t see and her foot slipped down between the cab and the elevator shaft! Fortunately, I was able to pull her out quickly. It was so scary. And she has trouble seeing the edge of the steps forcing me to continually lift her up with her harness. Unfortunately, I walk with a cane that she bumps into and walks in circles around. I have tripped over her twice. She walks very close to me because she can’t see where she is going. After learning that WestieMed may be able to help with the expense, I took her to the ophthalmologist to see whether anything could be done for her to improve her sight, her quality of life and to increase her chances of being adopted. The vet confirmed that Lena has cataracts and they would only get worse, but they are operable. Lena is only seven and she is healthy other than that. Getting her cataracts removed will be life-changing for her.

Well even though she and I keep getting tangled up, Lena has made it very clear to us that she is happy in our home, and she doesn’t want to go anywhere else. I have watched her bloom in a short period of time. She has taken a liking to all of Milo’s soft toys, destroying quite a few of them, because she loves to rip the stuffing out!  Milo doesn’t mind, he would rather play with his ball anyway. The two of them enjoy one another’s company and get along perfectly well together. Lena does love being the center of attention, and sometimes I do need to remind her that she is not the only dog in the house. I am so very pleased with her progress. I very much look forward to the day when her sight is improved, because Milo and I love her and hope to adopt her once her eyes are fixed. Thanks to the generous grant from WestieMed this now looks very possible.

Update July 11, 2018:

Selena (now Lena) is doing very well since her surgery in January.  She has been back to Cornell for two follow up checkups and passed with flying colors.  The doctors were very pleased with the outcome.

When I first got Lena, she would cry like a banshee every time she went out for a walk. Since the surgery, she has calmed down significantly.  She has gained a great deal of confidence.  In the past month or so, I have really seen a difference.  She jumped off my bed onto a pillow so she feels confident enough to get down by herself.  This past week, when I take her to the dog park, she has ventured out to meet other dogs rather than just sitting on my lap.

Everyone loves her.  The nurses and doctors adored her. My other dog, Milo, had been her protector and big brother.  They have been getting along very well. 

Everything has worked out beautifully thanks to the help that WestieMed gave us towards her cataract surgery.  It made a huge difference for Lena.  I can’t thank you enough.  I will send you a photo shortly.

Best regards,


Pat Gorman

Christie - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017

Christie

Christie is a five-year-old breeding dog from the Central Valley of California. She was kept in a warehouse. When she failed to get pregnant the last time she was in heat the breeder handed her over to a lady that finds rescues to take former breeding dogs.

Christie came to Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) on August 23rd, 2017. She was in heat. We kept her in a quiet environment for several weeks allowing her to adjust to life in a home. At first, she was reluctant to come out of her crate even with the door open. When her paws first touched grass she didn’t know what to do. We focused on housetraining, learning to go up and downstairs, walking on a leash and social skills with dogs and people. Christie is very bright and has picked up on these tasks very quickly. More focus continues to be needed on social skills and trust-building. She is timid and continues to shy away from touch.

Christie needed a full workup due to poor medical care. She visited the veterinarian on September 5th for shots and a general physical and blood work. On September 7th, 2017 she was spayed (no longer in heat), her teeth were cleaned, treated for hookworms, and she had six extractions due to bad or damaged teeth. She also received a microchip. On September 21. 2017 she made a follow-up visit to the Veterinarian. We are hopeful that Christie will be adopted by her foster in the not too distant future. Her progress has been remarkable and we anticipate she will go on to live a full and happy life. She is house trained, walks on a leash, seeks out her foster for petting and contact. She sleeps in the big bed with her foster Dad and Westie sister. She is starting to play with toys and her new sister, She is good in public with other dogs and people. She is becoming more trusting every day.

We are grateful to WestieMed for the support they provide to rescue organizations that enables us to help more dogs than we might otherwise be able to help. Christie thanks you too.

Barbara Mordy
Westie Rescue and Placement (WRAP)

Update June 2018

Christie - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017
Christie – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Remember Christie?

She’s the puppy-mill breeder girl, rescued last August by Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California.

Christie was scared of everything and didn’t know even the most basic things about living indoors with people to love her.

Well, not anymore!

Now she loves to be petted and plays with toys enthusiastically. She even rolls over on her back sometimes while playing tug with her Dad and she’s a good fetcher too.  She sleeps in the big bed with her Dad and older sister Terry. And, she even relaxes for a while in Dad’s lap when she’s in the mood to let him pick her up and put her there.  She’s one smart cookie!

This is all thanks to WestieMed and their generosity in helping to get the medical care she needed

Kramer - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017

Kramer

Kramer has had skin problems for as long as he can remember and his family, who loved him very much, contacted Westie & Scottie Rescue Houston for ideas to help him feel better. We spoke with them about diet and medical care. They adjusted his diet and took him to specialists who prescribed medicated baths and medications. All the while, Kramer’s family was also dealing with other family members’ medical issues and, when it became too much for them, asked that WSRH take him in.

Kramer was a happy boy despite his obvious misery so we rolled up our sleeves to try to get him feeling better. Our vets at Bear Branch Animal Hospital assessed him and helped form our initial course of treatment which included continuing restricting his diet and his anti-fungal medication, antibiotics, prednisone, and medicated baths. Although skin scrapings did not show any mites, the blackness around his eyes, ears, and sides made us suspect he might have demodectic mange so we added Advantage Multi to his regimen and, when he started to improve, we started to wean him from his medications. Kramer was able to stay off prednisone long enough to get a much-needed dental but his skin started getting worse again so the vet recommended putting him back on a short course to try to get through the issues.

Kramer - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017
Kramer – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Over the next months, we continued Kramer’s regimen of antimicrobial and anti=fungal baths along with medications and restricted diet and he seemed to improve and then he would suddenly get worse. We tested him for thyroid conditions, which showed normal, but biopsies of his skin showed the presence of resistant staph infection, requiring specific antibiotic treatment. Following a three month course of the antibiotic determined to combat this bacterial infection, tests showed it had cleared and another resistant bacteria presented, requiring a different antibiotic. We also had allergy tests done to determine if there were any environmental causes, but he only showed sensitivity to Black Willow trees and cat dander, neither of which are in his immediate environment.

We have considered Kramer to be like an onion, peeling one layer of issues after another, as we continue to treat fungal and bacterial infections. We are grateful to WestieMed for assisting with the process to rule out some issues and, hopefully, get a handle on what is needed to get and keep Kramer healthy. We look forward to his finding a forever home where he can live happily and healthily ever after.

Maggie Escriva
Westie & Scottie Rescue Houston

Update July 11, 2018

Kramer - WestieMed Grant Recipient September 2017
Kramer – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Kramer turned six yesterday so it seemed a good time for another update. As you know, he found his furever home with a longtime Westie rescue volunteer who will continue his regimen and keep him feeling good.

Kramer’s mom works from home and says he is her shadow, always nearby watching what she’s doing.

We are grateful to WestieMed for the assistance that enabled us to continue testing and treating Kramer until we could get through the itch. He has a good life ahead of him now that all the infections are gone.

Kind regards,

Maggie
Volunteer, Intake Coordinator, WSRH

Callie - WestieMedGrant Recipient July 2017

Callie

Miss Callie is a very special six to eight-year-old West Highland White Terrier that found as a stray by the City of Columbus Animal Control.  She had a microchip, but the owner never registered it so when she had what they thought was a seizure in her cage they reached out to us at the Preston Cares Network Westie Rescue to pull her for $10 to get medical care as soon as her stray hold was complete.  

When our vet looked at Callie, they quickly realized that there was something wrong with her heart and that her heartbeat was very irregular.   It was beating very very slow; forty beats a minute.  More tests were performed including an X-ray and an EKG. Those tests revealed she has Sick Sinus Syndrome.  This syndrome is a condition in which the Sinus (the heart’s natural pacemaker) does not send regular signals to the heart to pump correctly.  What animal control had thought was a seizure was Miss Callie passing out and coming too.  Our vet consulted a specialist in Louisville, and after reviewing the test results, it was determined that she needs a pacemaker and as soon as possible.  Our vet reached out to several teaching vet hospitals and collected quotes for the surgery.  The closest and cheapest (and recommended) is Purdue University.  In addition to the financial assistance we received from WestieMed, we also plan to fundraise through Facebook and our email list (as soon as the 4th is over) because we are expecting costs from $3,500 to $4,000.  The total costs will also include the three days in ICU for recovering and adjusting the pacemaker, the testing that was already done, and the follow up care and trips to Purdue. Just through very limited word of mouth we have raised 150 dollars. 

Miss Callie is one of the sweetest and kindest Westies we have ever had in our rescue.  She wants to be around people and be held and wants to cuddle.  She loves to sleep on pillows and gets along with the fosters Westies and cats.  She knows several commands such as sit and stay, and leave it (well for a few seconds — she is a Westie after all) and is fully house trained.  The vet said with this pacemaker she should completely recover and should have no more issues with the Sick Sinus Syndrome as long as the pacemaker is maintained each year.  We hope to get Miss Callie this surgery so she can have a nice long life sleeping on someone couch enjoying the pet life.

Rachel Phelps
Preston Cares Network Westie Rescue

Update January 24, 2018

Callie - WestieMedGrant Recipient July 2017

Thanks to the very generous grant from WestieMed, Callie was able to have her pacemaker surgery at the University of Illinois (IU).  Just recently, she had her six-month checkup, and the vets were happy to find that the pacemaker is working really well.  They have even cleared her to have her dental soon.  Also, her heart looks stable and hasn’t shown any signs of enlarging or more damage.  She will always need extra care and checkups with her specialists, but the pacemaker has given her a great quality of life back. She now loves to play, go on walks, and even nap on her new family’s bed.

During the trips back and forth to IU, she met her future mom which is a 2nd-year vet student at the university.  It was a perfect match!  Callie is able to live close to her heart specialists and she has a mom and dad who is very knowledgeable about her condition!  She even has a Westie brother to play with!

Callie has accepted a “dog job” with the IU vet school.  She attends community events representing the cardiac program and she is a teaching assistant for the dental department for first-year students to practice doing dental exams. The students are learning so much from Callie!  This shows how this WestieMed grant is helping more than just this one dog but is helping train future veterinarians about health conditions.

Preston Cares Network

Bocci - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017

Bocci

In January of this year, we were contacted by Bocci’s owner. She had gotten Bocci as a puppy and he was fine and healthy for years. Then he began having ear infections. She said she worked with the vet for a few years but the infections just kept coming back. Her vet told her the only way to treat him at this point was an ear ablation surgery. She had a baby and was a single mother with a new baby and other children to care for. She contacted us for assistance because she could no longer afford the cost to continue treating him. 

Bocci came to us on January 29, 2017. Our first intake exam confirmed the ear infection. That vet referred us to a specialist, who also talked about the ear ablation. Unfortunately, the person that had agreed to foster Bocci was having a difficult time caring for him so we moved him to his current foster home. The distance between the foster homes required us to take him to yet another vet who really felt that they might be able to help him without the surgery. Sadly, it didn’t work and we need the surgery to help finally clear up the infection.

Aggie Latyak

Update January 24, 2018

Bocci - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017
Bocci – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Thank you again to WestieMed for the help for Bocci.

He is doing so well now. The pain he was always in from the chronic ear infections is gone and he is enjoying life again. The surgery went very well, though it left him with a droopy ear, which makes him even cuter.

Unfortunately, due to his advanced age at twelve years, we’ve had no interested adopters, but he loves his foster home.

He’s having a good life.

Thank you!

Aggie

Cosmo - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017

Cosmo

Cosmo is a two-year-old Westie who found himself in an unfortunate situation on June 16, 2017. Cosmo has an unfortunate disease called portosystemic shunt (PSS) that he has likely had since birth. A portosystemic shunt is a disease where the blood that is normally taken through the liver to be filtered is redirected around the liver via a vessel that is not there in a normal dog. When this happens the toxins that would normally be filtered out of the blood by the liver remain in the blood and can cause symptoms that can complicate the lives of the dogs with the disease. While some dogs do not develop signs and can live a semi-normal life, Cosmo was not so lucky. Cosmo is normal on the outside and loves to play, explore, and bird watch out the window; however, he has had difficulties with the side effects of the PSS.

Cosmo experienced urinary tract signs and symptoms of PSS including the development of bladder stones and urinary tract infections that were hard to control along with bouts of diarrhea. Cosmo’s previous owner paid for surgery to have the stones removed and even started medical management in an effort to control the signs and symptoms of the PSS. 

Unfortunately, Cosmo still struggled and began urinating in the house multiple times a day. As much as Cosmo’s former owner loved him, it became too difficult to take care of Cosmo’s extra needs and clean up the messes. Cosmo was brought in to be humanely euthanized when his veterinarian asked if she could try and find a home for the adorable, life-loving pup.

A day later, I, a fourth-year veterinary student at Louisiana State University, went home to visit the clinic where I have worked since I was fourteen years old. My wife of one year and I were visiting with the veterinarian when Cosmo came running around the corner exploring his temporary home. My wife saw Cosmo and immediately fell in love wanting to foster him. We have a few other dogs and I immediately indicated that this was not a great idea and he would find a home. For about a week my wife would ask me if I thought we had made the right decision and if I really thought Cosmo would find a forever home. I would answer, “I’m sure he’ll be fine.” After a week of my wife trying to find homes for Cosmo, I told her that if she wanted to go pick him up and he got along with our current dogs we could foster him until the clinic could find him a home.

Cosmo came home with us six days after our initial meeting and he fit right in. On the second night of his stay with us, Cosmo slept right next to my head and I fell for him as hard as, if not harder than my wife had. He is so personable and loves to play so much that he truly adds to the joy in our lives. After discussing it, I told my wife if we could raise the money to get Cosmo’s condition fixed we would keep him. I took Cosmo to school with me the next week and began talking to clinicians in the hospital and we commenced testing to find out exactly what was wrong with Cosmo. That day Cosmo was officially diagnosed with PSS after an ultrasound revealed a large vein bypassing the liver. Options were discussed and surgery is the absolute best treatment for this particular condition. We started Cosmo on two weeks of medication to prepare his body for the surgery and scheduled the operation.

As a single income family, with myself in school, it was not going to be easy to pay for this surgery, but Cosmo had stolen our hearts. We began looking for ways to raise money for his surgery. That is when I found WestieMed and reached out to them for any help that they could offer. Their staff has been great to work with and help us along this process and they have been so generous to make this surgery more affordable for my wife and I. We are looking forward to Cosmo’s surgery and recovery allowing him to live a more normal life! Thank you WestieMed!

Kevin, Joy, & Cosmo

Update July 24, 2017

Cosmo - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017

We wanted to update you on Cosmo’s status. He underwent surgery on Tuesday (7/18). While they were doing the surgery, they took a biopsy of his liver. Unfortunately, there were significant changes in the liver that indicate a lack of oxygen and cellular death, which means he will likely have liver issues for the rest of his life. However, the surgery itself was successful. 

He stayed in ICU for 4 days and received medication for pain, seizure preventive, and antibiotics. He was finally able to come home on Friday with the understanding we’d watch him for seizures, which is a possible complication of the surgery. He is now on a special diet and will remain on the prescribed medication for eight to sixteen weeks. He goes back in two weeks to have his incision checked and will go back in six weeks after that to have bloodwork done. That will tell us if the surgery has started closing off the shunt. He will then go back again in another eight weeks and hopefully by the shunt will be completely closed. At that time we can start weaning him off of medication. 

We wanted to keep you guys updated. Thank you again for WestieMed’s generosity. Your financial assistance made it possible for Cosmo to have this necessary surgery and have a full life. Even though his liver is not normal, he will have the best life possible with us and his siblings at home!

Sincerely,
Kevin, Joy and Cosmo Shrewsberry
Class of 2018
Louisiana State University 
School of Veterinary Medicine 
SCAVMA, AABP, AAEP, AASV, HSVMA, ASV

Update January 24, 2018

Cosmo - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017

First, let me express our thankfulness for WestieMed’s financial assistance in Cosmo’s veterinary care. It was a long process to get Cosmo’s liver working better, but he is definitely a healthy dog now!

From the first day I met him, Cosmo was a happy, outgoing little man. However, now, he is even more exuberant (if that is possible) displaying the Westie characteristics! He is definitely a special part of our family’s life. He loves to play with his brothers and sisters; even when everyone else is sleeping, he will go to each sibling and annoy them until someone plays with him. He is convinced he is the largest dog on the block and takes his job as guard dog very seriously until he realizes he could get a scratch from a human or meet a new dog friend then his toughness melts away to wags and licks. Finally, he is a master at expressing his feelings 100% of the time. If we kennel him and he doesn’t like it, he will sit there and make noises like he is having a conversation with us about his situation (it’s especially hilarious when guests are over because they don’t know if they should respond or what). We rescued Cosmo because he was in need of help – regardless of his breed. But it has been a bonus to get to enjoy his Westie personality. Dynamite definitely comes in small packages!

Health-wise, Cosmo is doing well. I can tell he has become stronger. Before his surgery, he would need to stop and have me hold him on our walks. Now, he leads us the entire way! Before the surgery, he would have two to three accidents a day (at least) in the house. This was a primary reason his first owner surrendered him to a veterinary clinic. Now, he rarely has accidents! Cosmo is still on a special diet due to the damage already done to his liver. If it were not for that fact, you would not know he had overcome the disease of a portosystemic shunt (PSS).

Thank you again for helping us give Cosmo the best life he can have! Cosmo always seems to have this little grin when I look at him for more than 5 seconds as if he is saying, “Yeah, I’m pretty awesome”. We are forever grateful for your generosity toward our Cosmo!

Sincerely,
Joy, Kevin and Cosmo Shrewsberry

Bailey - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017

Bailey

Bailey was born on 4/22/16. He came into rescue on 4/28/17 at a little over one year old. He was bought in Nevada at age eight weeks for an eleven-year-old girl to care for and train.  That did not happen and the dog was kept in a crate most of the time while the girl was at school and in her bedroom the rest of the time. Finally, the parents and grandmother intervened and contacted Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP). Bailey came to WRAP dirty and with severe matting and bloody diarrhea. The family insisted there was no history of diarrhea. Bailey had not been to a veterinarian since getting his puppy shots. He was completely untrained but was social with people and dogs.      

Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) received Bailey on April 28, 2017, and that same day he was taken to the veterinarian who did an exam and routine blood work and a heartworm test. Blood work was essentially normal. The heartworm test was negative. He received Rabies and Bordetella vaccinations. Bailey was underweight at 11.8 pounds and was given Flagel for diarrhea. On April 29, 2017, he was treated prophylactically for worms. Bailey was microchipped on May 9, 2017, and tested for parasites (which was negative). Bailey’s diarrhea persisted. Bailey was moved to a home in the Sacramento area on May 15, 2017. He saw the veterinarian on May 17, 2017, for ongoing diarrhea. Another parasite test was done which was also negative. The exam was done and he was put on chicken and rice. He began throwing up along with diarrhea. He returns to the veterinarian on May 19, 2017, and was placed on a special hydrolyzed diet.  Bailey was eating ravenously most of his time in rescue. However, diarrhea persisted even with the new diet. The home Bailey was in was unable to keep him so on May 20, 2017, he was moved to a foster-adopt home. Diarrhea persisted. He went to a veterinarian on 5/23/2017. He was removed from Flagel and placed on probiotics and another anti-diarrheal.  He was put on a special diet of gastrointestinal food. Bailey returned to the veterinarian for a follow up 5/30/17. He received heartworm and flea medicine. On June 3, 2017, had formed stools for the first time. Baily’s gastro-intestinal problem appears to have finally stabilized. Veterinarian wanted to wait four weeks to neuter to ensure diarrhea was no longer an issue. He was able to be neutered on 6/19/2017.  He had an undescended testicle.

Bailey has thrived in his foster-adoptive home. He is a very sweet and loving boy. Gets along well with people and dogs. He was professionally groomed (which was donated) and is a lovely, handsome boy. His adoption is pending on 6/29/2017. Bailey enjoys living on the coast and his daily beach walks.

The support of WestieMed will enable us to help other dogs like Bailey and find them wonderful care forever homes. Thank you for your consideration.

Barbara Mordy

Update January 24, 2018

Bailey - WestieMed Grant Recipient July 2017
Bailey – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Bailey was adopted by his foster parents who nursed him through most of his intestinal problems. He’s a very happy boy and is the apple of their eye.

He lives on the coast and takes daily trips to the dog park and to the beach. He gets along well with people and with other dogs.

Bailey continues on a special diet and takes probiotics to help maintain his digestive health. He recently had a short bout of diarrhea again but the Vet was able to quickly manager it. 

Here is a photo of Bailey on New Year’s Eve this year. 

WRAP and Bailey thank you as do his parents for WestieMed’s help in getting Bailey’s medical issues under control.

Barbara Mordy
Westie Rescue and Placement (WRAP)