Charlie

by westiemed in Stories

Hello friends, my name is Charlie. I know that you’re my friends, because I love everyone I meet. Here is my story.…..

I lived my whole life in the same home. In August 2024 without warning, I was dropped off at a shelter in Easton, CT. The Animal Control officer realized that I was older — and likely needing special care — he thoughtfully reached out to Westie Rescue of New England who immediately went into action.  The next day my foster mom Darlene arrived at the shelter to take me home.

I was confused with all of the changes but I knew I was in a good place. I received the first of many medicated baths to help heal my skin along with lots of good food and cuddle time. Two days later, I went to see the vet. They checked me from top to bottom, taking lots of blood tests.

I had two badly infected ears, skin problems, very bad teeth and they were most concerned about a large, painful mass I had on my foot.

They scheduled me for surgery and I came through it like a champ!  My bad teeth were removed, my ears have been treated and are so much better and best of all the scary tumor on my foot was benign!  My future is bright now and at 11 years young I am feeling great!

My foster moms, Darlene and Hester, could not resist my charm and are now “Failed Fosters”. I personally think that is the best kind of foster. Today, I live with my two, loving moms and my adorable and very busy one-year-old Westie sister, Agnes. I have already been on two, fun-filled family vacations. I love to travel, and I am living my best life — a life I could have only dreamed of!

Thank you, WestieMed, for all your support and for helping Westie Rescue of New England to help me. My golden years will surely be the best ever!

Ozzie

by westiemed in Stories

On October 5, 2024, Rico Pet Recovery was alerted about a West Highland Terrier (Westie) who had been seen running loose in a neighborhood for over a year, according to posts on Facebook. A Good Samaritan, concerned for his safety, took him in and kept him in her garage, though she couldn’t provide further care. The poor dog was covered in fleas, suffering from significant hair loss, skin infections, and had badly matted fur. She administered a Capstar to address the fleas, then she reached out to the rescue community for additional help.

On October 7, 2024, the Westie was brought to Rico Pet Recovery. Unclaimed and without a microchip, he immediately captured hearts with his gentle and loving demeanor. Our veterinarian diagnosed him with a range of conditions, including severe skin and ear infections, gum disease with several problematic teeth, dry eye, and thickened, hardened skin, often referred to as “elephant skin”. He was estimated to be around 5 to 7 years old.

Now named Ozzie, this little fighter was sent home with multiple medications. After just two weeks, Ozzie has made tremendous progress and is starting to look like a brand-new dog. He’s proven to be incredibly sweet, enjoying the company of kids, cats, soft blankets, and—most of all—snuggling!

Ozzie’s road to recovery isn’t over yet. His upcoming treatments will include completing his vaccinations, a dental procedure and a neuter that will involve an ablation due to the poor condition of his scrotum. Thanks to the compassion of the community, WestieMed and the dedicated care from Rico Pet Recovery, Ozzie’s future is looking bright.

Marci

 

Eva and ZsaZsa

by westiemed in Stories

Our two new shelter girls had their first vet appointment and we received some good news and not so good news. The good news is that they are generally healthy and with very good bloodwork results. The bad news is that both girls have mammary tumors, one with no tear production and the other with very minimal tear production, bacterial ear infections and eye infections. Because of the mammary tumors, we did chest X-rays and they are clear! The tumors were not a surprise because I could feel them while bathing the girls. Poor little Zsa Zsa came in with debris stuck to both corneas that was hardened and resembled what dry cracked desert landscape looks like. How painful!!!! She let me irrigate the heck out of her eyes, lots and lots of flushing until it broke away on its own. Her corneas are ulcerated so we are treating both girls aggressively to bring them much needed relief.   We gave the girls a week to settle in and they had their surgeries and dentals yesterday.  Eva had a few minor complications. We discovered a hernia but left it alone because it would have been too much for her with the mammary tumors and dental. We will keep an eye on it and address at a later time. She lost 8 teeth and had root tips that could be seen on X-ray but we had to leave it alone also because they didn’t want to budge and that would risk injury. We sent out mammary removal for biopsy and are hopeful they come back clear. We will retest their tear production in two weeks and if there is no improvement, we will visit the ophthalmologist.

People often ask us why we spend so much on these dogs. It’s simple. They’ve spent a lifetime of neglect. By the time they make their way to us, we are their last chance, so we will make it their best chance.

It takes a village to rescue these dogs and it takes a lot of funding.   We are so grateful to WestieMed for providing much needed funding!

Karen Simondet

Westie Rescue of Orange County (WROC)

Penny

by westiemed in Stories

Penny is a 5 year old West Highland Terrier who was surrendered to our rescue, The Original Westies Rescued UK (TOWRUK) by her owner of 1 year, in September 2023. The reason he gave us was that Penny was too strong for him on walks and ‘pulled’ him over several times! Our transporter collected Penny and transported her to our lovely fosters, Kevin and Susan situated in North East England, who had not long ago lost their Westie Daisy.

Penny quickly settled in with Kevin and Susan and after a few days in foster care they noticed Penny was limping from her rear right knee so we booked her into our vets for a full health check. The vet on duty suggested Penny has x-rays to determine the cause of her limping and advised us, after her health check, that Penny was also suffering from Grade 4 dental disease and would require some tooth extractions. Penny’s previous owners vet confirmed that Penny’s leg and tooth conditions were previously diagnosed and recorded but not acted upon. To date Penny has settled in really well with our fosters and during our visits to see Penny she seems really happy. She has been spayed, had 9 teeth extracted plus a diseased bone removed as part of her dental procedure.

Penny’s completed x-rays have shown that Penny requires cruciate ligament surgery to her right back leg and possibly her left back leg in the future and was diagnosed with chronic arthritis in both of her back legs for which she will be put on recommended medication ‘Librela’ permanently.

We would like to very sincerely thank WestieMed for very kindly approving a grant to help with the costs of her veterinary surgery/treatment which she so desperately requires to help her to improve her quality of life. Her surgical procedure is planned for later this month.

Carol and Terry Riches

The Original Westies Rescued UK

Update March 3, 2024:

Penny has had her cruciate surgery to her back right leg and is recovering well, on the long road to full recovery. We will keep you updated on her progress. Her veterinary consultant is unfortunately confident her other back leg will require the same/similar surgery and will confirm after next x-rays after her recovery.

Kind regards,

Terry and Carol Riches, TOWRUK Officials

Update March 23, 2024:

Penny is recovering well from her cruciate surgery. The vets are very pleased with her healing. We will advise you when the consultant feels she is ready for the next x-rays to check internal healing and if her other leg requires any treatment/surgery.

Kind regards,

Terry Riches, TOWRUK Official

Update April 23, 2024:

Penny’s rear right leg cruciate ligament surgery went very well and following reviews of her recovery at her Vet Practice (Vets4Pets) and post op x-rays of both of her back legs the Orthopaedic Surgeon reports that the surgery was successful but unfortunately Penny will require Cruciate Ligament Surgery of her back left leg also. Penny seems happy in herself with improved mobility. There was evidence of wound infection so Penny was prescribed antibiotics and we agreed for the vet to take and send culture samples away for investigation. We have booked Penny in for surgery on the 7th May and will provide regular updates on her progress.

Very kind regards,

Terry and Carol Riches

Officials, The Original Westies Rescued UK (TOWRUK)

Update May 24, 2024:

Penny’s cruciate surgery went well and she is recovering well and her vets are happy with her progress to date.

Her mobility is improving and after the all clear from her consultant, we are planning treadmill/hydrotherapy to rebuild strength/muscle in her hind legs and will continue to update you on her progress.

Kind regards,

Terry Riches, Official TOWRUK

Update July 19, 2024:

Penny’s consultant is very pleased with Penny’s recovery. Recent x-rays have indicated surgery had a successful outcome and the next stage is for Penny to have rehabilitation therapy to strengthen muscle of both her rear legs via treadmill and hydrotherapy. Many thanks once again from us all at the Original Westies Rescued UK for your generous donation to help improve Penny’s health and well being.

Terry Riches, Official TOWRUK

Update September 3, 2024:

Penny’s mobility has improved immensely since her TPL surgery and rehabilitation.

Carol and I and our admin team at the Original Westies Rescued UK cannot thank you all at WestieMed for your very kind help and support towards giving Penny a much better quality of life than she would have had.

Very kind regards,

Terry and Carol Riches, Founders

The Original Westies Rescued UK

 

Molly

by westiemed in Stories

Molly was surrendered to WSRH a year ago, after she was diagnosed with diabetes at eight years old. Her owner had trouble keeping up with her food and insulin schedule, and poor Molly was suffering the side effects. Her experienced foster was able to get her on a schedule and on the road to feeling better. A grant from WestieMed helped Molly get the testing she needed to establish her insulin dose and stabilize her blood sugar levels.

Molly is almost completely blind from cataracts, and the eye dogtor said she would be a suitable candidate for surgery once her blood sugar was stabilized. We booked her for a much-needed dental with her primary vet, who was concerned by some of her bloodwork and requested an abdominal ultrasound. Molly has shown symptoms of Cushing’s, but so far testing has been normal. The ultrasound showed no irregularities.

Molly continues to do well in her foster home, receiving her food and medications on a fixed schedule, and getting her blood sugar under control. WSRH is grateful for WestieMed’s assistance in helping this beautiful Westie feel better.

Kind regards,

Maggie Escriva

Volunteer, Intake Coordinator  Westie and Scottie Rescue Houston

Belle Grace

by westiemed in Stories

Penned by Alexis, one of our groomers and one of Belles caretakers at Bubbles & Bows Pet Spa. An account of Belle the first day we met our new mighty senior.

“I’ve done rescue for a long time. This is the worst case of neglect I have ever seen. I’ve
groomed matted dogs, dogs with fish hooks in them…you name it, I’ve seen it. But this, this was way worse than I ever imagined. She was brought in for grooming. I expected a matted dog, possible fox tails, but what we got was far worse. She was a broken little soul.”

“Today, she felt her feet on the ground for the first time in who knows how long. Today, she felt her tail wag. Today, she was able to walk without the tightness of the mats pulling with every step she took. Today, she was able to potty without getting it on herself. Today, she felt loved and wanted. Today… we saved her.”

“She is going to need a lot of help. No way were we going to let this little girl go back to the shelter. Now named Belle, she needed our help. She’s become part of our family. She needs all the love and support she can get. Who knows her story or why she ended up like this, but all we can do is help her now.”
❤ Alexis


Tiny Paws Rescue and Sanctuary had to think fast. Belle was in need of immediate veterinary care. Her wounds were deep, and the smell of infection was taking over her little body. Without any hesitation, the plan was put into place, and Belle was pulled from the Oakdale Animal Shelter. The shelter helped make the process a success and Belle was on her way to the veterinarian the next morning . The team at River Oak Veterinary Hospital in Riverbank, California wasted no time getting this little lady on the road to recovery. Now, with her medication regimen in place, and a game plan, Belle started doing well. This is where Westiemed became part of our village. Belles’s teeth needed to be addressed. The cost for this procedure was one that can run into the thousands. With the generous help from WestieMed, her future is looking bright. As soon as she finished her antibiotics, Belle had the dental procedure to remove the last piece of her broken past. She’s onto a new life. One filled with love, patience, and compassion. Welcome to our village!

With gratitude,
Stephanie❤ and Little Miss Belle Grace
Tiny Paws Rescue and Sanctuary ❤

Update July 11, 2024:

I just got an update from the adopter & unfortunately, they ended up having to put Belle Grace down because she was having blood in her stool & declining health.

Per Vet: She was between 14-16 yrs. old & agreed it was time to let her go as she was suffering.

She was shown so much love & attention till the end of her life.

Thank you for everything your organization did to help us.             

Sheryl Davidson 

President