Harry’s story begins like many other Westie rescues, on the streets. He was found wandering around in the snow in Richlands, North Carolina, back in February and brought to Carolina Westie Rescue in the spring of 2009.
He was brought to us by a wonderful good Samaritan named Susan Collins. Even though he seemed to be a throwaway dog, Harry still had a good spirit and personality. Susan informed us that Harry had heartworms and that a previous vet had recommended that the dog be euthanized.
Well, Westies never give up without a fight, and we were not about to either! We carried Harry to another vet and had a thorough exam performed. Other than his horrible ear infections, our vet told us that Harry’s heartworms were pretty advanced and that we could try and kill them with the slow-kill Immiticide treatment, but that he might not make it.
Our vet suggested we take Harry to the state veterinary school in Raleigh which has a team of cardiologists. And so, a few days later, that’s exactly what we did. We left Harry with those folks all day, and when we returned, we learned that Harry’s heartworms were not as advanced as we had been told. Now, heartworms of any sort are not a cause for celebration, but here we were thinking Harry was in an advanced stage of heartworms and that surgery was the only solution. The doctors at NC State told us that the slow-kill method was the correct course of action to take, but that Harry would have to be perfectly still during treatment. No running around the yard chasing the girl Westies, like he usually does. Harry should be beginning his first of three Immiticide injections very soon.
As of this writing, we are pretty upbeat about Harry’s prognosis and his making it through the treatment. We are looking forward to the days when he can run and play with the other Westies and not be winded. Carolina Westie Rescue would like to extend our warmest heartfelt thanks to WestieMed for all you do for these little white dogs.
Carolina Westie Rescue
Update March 7, 2010
Harry – WestieMed Recipient
I want to thank Westie Med for helping to save Harry’s life. You are all wonderful for helping him.
The long and grueling process of killing the heartworms took months and after going through treating Harry for Heartworm Disease Harry was hit with an acute attack of pancreatitis. Harry was left with an enlarged heart and breathing problems that appeared to be Westie lung Disease. Westies as we know are very resilient and Harry has a strong will to live. Harry has always been a happy, loving, wonderful Westie even during the times when he was so very sick. He has always had a strong will to live.
After having Harry for almost a year we found Harry a great home with a retired couple who had a sweet little girl Westie. They knew that Harry was left with some health problems, but were willing to give Harry a forever home. I miss Harry, but it is comforting to know that he has a great home and can live out the rest of his life with people who can appreciate Harry for the wonderful Westie that he is.
Harry now lives on Hilton Head Island and walks on the beach almost every day with his new forever family. Harry loves the beach and also gets along well with his new little sister.
He is living the good life. Thank you WestieMed!
Sincerely, Sydney Christian Carolina Westie Rescue
I got an email about another Westie in need of rescue, but when I looked at the picture I knew that this was no ordinary rescue. I knew immediately that this would be my dog. Another member of Westie Rescue stepped up to foster first, but circumstances led him to my house shortly thereafter. Thank God for small miracles.
Tavish, as he was named, is unlike any other dog I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was so small and fragile. Because he was kept in a cat carrier all four of his legs were bowed at the knee. His hair was almost non-existent due to stress. This also caused alopecia. He had nasty skin irritations and infections. He had an eye infection. Who knew what else was lurking just below the surface. This poor little soul was just the most pitiful and worst case of abuse and neglect I have ever seen. But, there was a spark there. After all, he had been through, his giant personality still managed to shine. That is what fortunately saved his life. The Bridgeport, Texas Animal Services’ workers saw it. Westie Rescue of North Texas saw it. I saw it. This was a dog who deserved a second chance.
When he got to my house the first thing I wanted to do was give him a name like no one else. This little guy had a sort of élan that was bigger than life. He needed to be distinguished from the pack. I did not want him to be lost in a sea of Tavishs. He was so little – just a little peanut of a dog. Well, we can’t give a Westie a non-Scottish name, can we? So it was born – Tavish McPeanut – thank you very much!
Every day we held our breath. He had so much to overcome. Could he do it? Was he strong enough? Well, the answer was yes and yes. He could and would overcome. He could and was strong enough. Every day he came more and more alive. McPeanut was a legend by now.
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
We take daily walks as a pack and this little guy would prance out in front of everyone else. What a hoot! He knew he was special and everyone else was just beginning to see for themselves just what a terrific guy he was. All the neighbors would stop and pet him. He went and stole everyone’s hearts. He will give you a quick kiss but then he is off – he has things to do, places to go, things to mark. . . after all, he is a little boy.
McPeanut has been the spirit of this family. He is goofy and silly and always up for whatever is going on. He is quick with a tail wag and a kiss. When you call his name he dances around in a little half-circle kind of shaped like a little peanut. This would be the Peanut dance. He is the first one to start playing. He is also quite the Casanova having a wide variety of lady loves from a Chinese Crested named Lola to a black Lab named Lady. He loves to walk and sniff and hike and sniff and run and play and sniff and love. We cannot imagine life without this little firecracker.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping McPeanut, who stole our hearts, to complete all of his medical treatments so that he can truly thrive and become the Westie he was meant to be!
Sincerely, Kelly Flanigan Feuling Tavish McPeanut’s Mom
Update July 9, 2009
I just wanted to briefly update everyone about little McPeanut. I picked him up today from Dallas Vet & Surgery Center in Grapevine. Dr. Wells was our physician.
I have good news and bad news. The good news is that McPeanut does not need surgery at this time. They performed a CT scan and then a myelogram. The myelogram is a procedure where they inject dye into the spinal column to see if a disk is ruptured or herniated. So, the good news is that he does not have a condition that can be rectified by surgery. The bad news is, they cannot explain his x-rays. They show such a drastic narrowing in two places and he cries out in pain sometimes when picked up.
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
Dr. Wells thinks there is soft tissue damage due to his being kept in that tiny cage. She said we need to continue to manage the pain and see if he won’t improve over time. Poor little guy. I just hate it that he is having to suffer like this! It is a terrible reminder of all this little baby went through.
I am currently giving him Carprofen and Tramadol twice a day to keep the pain at bay. He has been given orders to keep quiet and rest. Not a problem with this heat. As you can see in the picture, he is doing okay now that he is home and in his favorite chair. Oh, and his appetite is great – that is always a good sign!
Blessings, Kelly
Update August 12, 2009
I am sending out this update on little McPeanut hopefully to bring attention to a major health issue. With all of these horrific puppy-mills around, we might start to see more and more of these specific eye problems. If you look at any of the tapes of the busts, the majority of dogs have obvious eye issues. We need to closely and carefully check these puppy-mill dogs who have eye irritations/conditions.
We took McPeanut to the veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Munger, today. He has had eye problems from the beginning, but because no one every fluoresced (stained) his eyes this was not caught until last Monday by Dr. Paul Hendon at Westcreek Animal Clinic. McPeanut had the most unusual pattern of damage to his cornea that Dr. Hendon had ever seen. He immediately recommended the veterinary ophthalmologist and put McPeanut on several different medications.
This is very serious and McPeanut could very well lose his left eye. First, he has been diagnosed in both eyes with uveitis (which is very serious and painful in humans) which is a swelling of the uvea – the middle, pigmented vascular layer of the eye. Second, his left eye has posterior synechia, pupilo seclusio, iris bombe, and glaucoma (caused by the uveitis). What all this means is that his iris is adhering to his lens (synechia), the bulging forward of the iris (iris bombe) has caused swelling blocking the aqueous humor from draining (glaucoma), and he has evidence of hemorrhagic uveitis. The hemorrhages on his eye were what alerted Dr. Hendon to a serious problem.
This did not happen overnight. This condition should have been caught earlier. The first vet that saw him should have noticed his eyes were very red, he squinted a lot, and he had the hemorrhages on the left eye and so the condition could have been treated in its earlier stages. I am just sick over this. This poor little dog has suffered immensely with so many other health problems, and now this.
I am hoping to save another little one from going through the same thing. The fluoroscope is not that expensive ($16.00)-$19.00) and should have been performed on the first exam in this case. Now, we are looking at hundreds of dollars of medical care and the worst-case scenario of his actually losing his eye. Dr. Hendon is our primary vet and he caught it on the first exam. He contacted Dr. Munger and got us in two days later. Meanwhile, Dr. Hendon gave us pain medication, antibiotics, and an anti-cholinergic (to stimulate vasodilatation). This would increase blood flow and healing. Now, McPeanut has additional medication to reduce the swelling (steroid) and to reduce the aqueous humor (Cosopt – a combination of a beta-blocker and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor). I sold Cosopt for Merck for almost ten years so I know that it is a great medication. The dorzolamide part of it is actually more effective in dogs than humans. So, now McPeanut is using four eye drops and four oral medications to try to manage his conditions.
Please pray for little McPeanut. We are hoping for the best – that he responds well to treatment with medication. We will discuss other options if and when they are necessary. Keep your paws crossed!
Kelly Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog!
Update August 17, 2009
Dear WestieMed:
I want to thank you for your help with one of our recent adoptees McPeanut. He was just the most pitiful little pup when he came to us. Unfortunately he was the victim of severe neglect, but he had the most wonderful spirit that saved him from being euthanized. He is just so precious and wonderful to us. He courageously has battled severe infection, spinal disk narrowing, orthopedic deformity, and eye problems.
Everyone who meets him falls completely in love with him. As he is going through his various medical procedures, tests, and treatments I have to keep an army of people informed of his progress. Yes, this little wonder has stolen the hearts of hundreds of people. He dances and twists and kinda yodel/growls at you when you call his name. He is just so absolutely awesome and unforgettable!
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
Something I want to tell you all is that I only adopt the sick, elderly, or special needs dogs. I have some medical problems of my own, and so I have a special place in my heart for the little ones who are suffering with illness or issues no one else wants to deal with. I keep my dogs for life – theirs or mine – and they are provided for in my will. “Re-home” is not a word in my vocabulary. In the two pictures, let me introduce our pack from left to right: Gabriel (foster), Peanut, Queenie, Badger, and Winston. Each has health challenges and a story of their own. Queenie has defied the odds and is 17 1/2 years old – despite being from severe neglect and abuse in a puppy mill for the first five years of her life. Physically, you can not see any signs of her previous life. She has been with me for 12 years and is now quite fat and happy.
WestieMed also helped us out with a dog who was given up almost five years ago because he was “defective.” Winston had extremely thinning hair, dull, lifeless eyes, thin and bony, and was lethargic. The previous owner’s vet had recommended that they euthanize him. Well, I could not sit back and let that happen. I promptly took Winston to my vet who after a thorough check-up recognized, and tested to confirm, that he had a severe pancreatic enzyme deficiency. This poor dog was not absorbing and benefiting from any nutrients he ingested. Everything he ate came right back out the other end.
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
With a strict diet and diligently supplementing every meal with additional enzymes, Winston is now thriving. He just turned six years old and is as vibrant and healthy as can be. He will always have to be on food that is low in carbs, protein, and fats. He also will have to continue to use the enzymes every time he eats. Also, he does have some other digestion issues that require him to be on different medications. You would never know of his conditions when you meet him. He is active, friendly, and quite the ambassador to every foster dog who comes to our house. He is a handsome dog now who has bright, shiny eyes, a beautiful coat, and loves to hunt by sitting on the back of the couch and waiting and watching for the squirrel to try to get to the bird feeder. The second picture is of him and Twinkie (we lost her in June 08) watching for that darn squirrel.
From the bottom of my heart I want to express my deepest gratitude for the help you have given these two Westies of mine and the many others you help with your organization. Financially, it can become overwhelming when all of your pets need special care. I am fortunate to have the time and expertise to give 24 hour care to these pups. We will continue to care for and love them all until they cross the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for helping to off-set some of the lifetime of expenses. We sincerely appreciate it.
Blessings, Kelly Flanigan Feuling
Update August 26, 2009
I took little Peanut to see Dr. Munger, the veterinary ophthalmologist, today for a recheck of his eyes. His left eye was of great concern as it had several issues: glaucoma, iris bombe, uveitis, posterior synechia, pupilo seclusio, and hemorrhaging. First, the bad news, his left eye will most likely have to be removed. He had some slight improvement with the iris, synechia, and hemorrhages, but his pressure was still very high, 40, even with diligent use of the medication. Dr. Munger said he has no vision in the left eye. His right eye looks good with definite improvement in the uveitis.
I am physically sick over this. Poor little Peanut has been through the wringer and now this. I had hoped and prayed he would not lose his eye. We go back in four weeks, but we would need a miracle between now and then. He is in good spirits in typical Peanut fashion. What a wonderful, sweet, spirit. He has managed and compensated for this very well.
We are not sure just what procedure we will do, but Dr. Munger said if this was his dog he would go for the enucleation (removal of the entire eye) and put in a prosthetic. I just cannot imagine this at this moment. We are doing all we can to keep Peanut healthy and pain-free. Thank you for your continued prayers for little Peanut.
Blessings, Kelly Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog!
Update September 17, 2009
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
Hello, all of Peanut’s wonderful supporters! I have to thank all of you for all the love, support, and words of encouragement that you have given us since this little angel joined our family. We appreciate all of you more than you know. It has been quite a difficult road for this little guy and we have been very busy lately with the most urgent health issue of trying to save Peanut’s left eye. I warn you that the pictures are quite graphic at this point in time. The picture to the left shows how inflamed, enlarged, and hemorrhaged the eye was. It does not show was what caused the eye to be so damaged.
I have been diligently doing around the clock care this entire last month trying to desperately save this little guy’s eye. Unfortunately, the diseases were many and had progressed beyond what could be successfully treated. So, yesterday Dr. Robert Munger at the Animal Ophthalmology Clinic removed Peanut’s left eye. He was in severe pain and distress due to this condition and this was our only alternative at this point. The final diagnosis was intractable glaucoma, secondary to uveitis with iris bombe and buphthalmos. It was treated with enucleation with an orbital implant. We chose not to have a prosthetic because that was more about aesthetics than what Peanut needed to get along.
I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Munger. He is an amazing physician as well as a human being. He lives near us and even offered to bring us medicine if Peanut needed it. He came highly recommended by Paul Hendon at Westcreek Animal Clinic – and I really respect Dr. Hendon. I hope none of you need ophthalmic services for any of your pups, but if you do this is the man to see.
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
I want to say a special big “thank you” to WestieMed and to John and Stacy Workman who have generously donated to Peanut’s medical fund. When he came to us we knew we would have some medical costs and struggles ahead of us, but after you meet this little guy you have to do whatever he needs because he is so special. All of our dogs are special needs and our veterinary costs have averaged $362 per month for this year. Mark and I sincerely appreciate the monetary support as it lightens our burden. We also appreciate all the moral support. I cannot wait for the Texas Westie Walk (October 24, 2009) so everyone can see a healed and happy Peanut. Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Blessings, Kelly Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it did change the world for this one dog!
Update October 3, 2009
I wanted to give you the good and bad news about our little McPeanut. The bad news is that we had to remove his left eye this past Wednesday, Sept. 16th. The eye was not responding to treatment. We were so heartbroken because this little guy has been through so much that we did not want to put him through any more medical procedures. Dr. Munger told us all we needed to know to make the decision: McPeanut was in pain and he had no sight in the eye.
The procedure went well. The eye was sent to the University of Wisconsin for pathology because we wanted to be sure that whatever this was it would not affect his only remaining sighted eye. The diagnosis was chronic glaucoma secondary to granulomatous and lymphoplasmacytic endophthalmitis and retinitis (no cause was found), posterior synechiae and iris bombe, retinal detachment (extensive) optic nerve hemorrhage, and a break in Descemet’s membrane with retrocorneal membrane formation. It sounds horrible and scary, and it is, but that is now over. We will closely monitor his right eye to make sure that this is an isolated event.
The good news is he is back to the spunky little sweetie that steals hearts! It took him a couple of days to recover from the surgery – it was pretty major. The biggest challenge, as you all know, is keeping a Westie “quiet”! I just love it when vets tell you to keep them calm. Good luck. I felt like the mean school teacher constantly stopping him from playing with all the other boys. We have a poodle right now and he is exactly McPeanut’s size and energy level – oh someone help me!
So, we had our two weeks follow up at Dr. Munger’s Wednesday, Sept. 30th and McPeanut is now “coneless” and thriving. He is running the backyard again and giving the other boys a run for their money. Just so you know, Queenie (our 17½ yr old) just sits with me and watches all the foolishness going on. We are truly living in one continuous YouTube video! I wish I was better with technology because we have some absolutely hilarious moments as you can imagine.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. It means the world to us and, of course, to little McPeanut! If you are coming to Westie Walk (in Texas October 24, 2009) he would love to give you a big personal thank you!
Blessings, Kelly Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it did change the world for this one dog!
Update April 15, 2010
Tavish McPeanut – WestieMed Recipient
McPeanut did remarkably well after surgery and surprised all of us. His entire body is all healed up and he spends his days laying in the sun, barking at everything that moves, chases and plays with the other Westies, then eats and sleeps then does it all over again. We love it!
We had to put McPeanut back on some eye drops to ensure his good eye (right side) stayed healthy. Other than that, he is great. He has a thick, luxurious coat, gained weight, and is very athletic.
It is quite difficult to catch him being still enough to photograph! McPeanut is such a good dog and gets along so well with everyone else. He has a new playmate, Stubbs, who came from an eerily similar situation. Stubbs is just now getting his hair and energy back. In the picture below you can see McPeanut stalking and playing with Stubbs. We have a little window in our fence so all the dogs can see what is going on in the street and sidewalk and McPeanut loves to look out and bark just like everyone else. He is as active and sweet as ever.
I am still stunned at the progress he has made and continues to make. We cannot thank you enough for helping out with his expenses. We only take in Westies that are sick and/or special needs. Every one of our dogs has health issues, but we are blessed with the best vets ever. Dr. Hendon actually has Westies himself so he is amazing with our pack. He also understands when I bring all of them in at the same time because everyone always seems to need something. Westcreek Animal Clinic spoils and loves them all like they were their own. We thank you so very much for your kindness and generosity!
A young lady that worked in a pet store at the local mall had gone into the restaurant that a friend of mine worked in and asked her if she wanted or knew of someone who wanted a free puppy. She text messaged her mom and it so happened that I was over and she asked me if I was interested in a free puppy. Well at first I was hesitant in saying yes because first off a puppy is a lot of work and also my thoughts were “what’s wrong with him”? Fifteen minutes later she texts again saying it’s a West Highland Terrier…still with some doubt I said to tell her I want him but first to ask the girl what was wrong with him. Her reply was that he had a low immune system and that he was kept in the back away from the other puppies and that’s why they couldn’t sell him. So I figured ok a low immune system that’s something simple that can be taken care of.
When he came home with her that night he was interested in all of us but still not too sure. The little guy had a crusty nose and smelled. As he sat there taking in his new surroundings he started coughing this retched cough. And when I held him to comfort him I could hear he was wheezy. Right away I felt bad for this little guy and I was glad that I had taken him in and was going to love him. That night at home I decided to name him after a character in one of my favorite movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas, I figured Zero was a perfect name for a Westie.
The next day at the vet I told him the story of how they were giving him for free and how they told me he just had a low immune system. To make a long story short turned out the Zero more than likely came from a puppy mill, had surgery to fix his hernia and at the same time, he was neutered. The “low immune system” turned out to be two ear infections, which one ear was already yeasty, and the cough was already turning into pneumonia. Zero was treated with two different types of antibiotics and an ear ointment plus an ear wash every other day. While Zero was on the antibiotics his cough did settle down.
About two weeks had passed when one early morning he started up again and the runny crusty nose and the coughing at this point were back full force again. I took him back to the vet as soon as they opened. Turned out that Zero’s bronchitis was back and he was going to need a treatment that I wasn’t able to afford, so the vet gave us the option of putting him back on a stronger dose of antibiotics for seventeen days with weekly check-ups. The vet did say that if the cough came back I had no other choice but to do the recommended treatment for his lungs to get rid of the cough. And two weeks later his cough was back again with the snotty crusty nose. He was not able to run around like he does because starts to cough and at times causing him to throw up and depending on how he feels his breathing at night is very rapid.
I have only had Zero for a short time but during this short time he stolen my heart and I would be devastated if anything were to happen to him. That is why I am very thankful and blessed that I came across the wonderful people at WestieMed! Because of them, Zero will soon be able to sleep well at night and run around like I know he wants to without the need to stop because of a coughing spell.
Update June 25, 2009
Zero – WestieMed Recipient
I just wanted to update you on Zero. Zero had his treatment the very next day we receive the check in the mail. The lab results had revealed that he had a really bad case of kennel cough and his vet prescribed a much stronger dose of antibiotics to clear him up of the infection.
Well, the antibiotics helped Zero while he was on them but once he was done with the medication his pesky cough came back along with the snotty nose. So Zero is taking antibiotics almost every day to keep the infection from getting worse.
His Vet said the next step is taking him to a specialist (which I know it is going to cost me money I don’t have) because it seems that his respiratory system isn’t functioning properly by “filtering” out the icky stuff he breaths in. He fears that it could possibly be the death of such a good pup like him. But Zero doesn’t let this bring him down! He still loves going out for walks to the dog park and play fetch or just crawl into my lap for a quick nap.
I want to thank you again for the help! Ana & Zero
Update October 8, 2009
Zero – WestieMed Recipient
Zero still, of course, has his cough, but that will always be part of him. He currently is on a two week round of antibiotics since the weather change has had a little effect on him and just to be safe we decided to put him on antibiotics.
This time he went three months without any medications, thanks to his vet’s suggestion of giving him a children’s chewable vitamin C tablet every day to see if it helped to strengthen his immune system and it has helped him extremely!
We will keep you posted on his well being in a couple of weeks once he’s done with his antibiotics.
Meanwhile, enjoy a picture of him on his first birthday! What a milestone for him considering how he was when I first got him!
Thanks once again to you guys!!! Ana
Update July 10, 2010
Zero – WestieMed Recipient
I just wanted to let you know Zero is doing great!
He had his second comprehensive vet exam a few months back and the vet said he was great!
Of course, he still has his little cough but that makes him special! He hasn’t had a need for a round of medication, so that’s good.
For now, here’s a picture of him getting out if the bath.
And we will be celebrating his second birthday next month, yay!!
March 16th started out like any other day. Woke up, let the Beagle man out, made coffee, checked email – Subject caught my eye: WHO CAN CARE FOR ME? I’VE BEEN ABANDONED!!! – I had to read on….
‘… as people struggle in this difficult economy, it is often our loyal and loving animal companions who suffer the most. This sweet little girl was found abandoned on a blanket, in a park in Framingham day-before-yesterday. The dog officer surmised she had been there all night, in the 19 degrees cold and rain. She is a sweet young dog who, as you can see, has a skin condition. She has had three skin scrapings to test for mites and they were all negative, however, the results of the tests confirmed a yeast infection. If no home or foster can be located for her, she is scheduled to be euthanized this coming week.”
LOOK at that face! I was smitten! When I arrived at the Framingham Animal Control office that day, she was standing in the back of the large concrete kennel — she had no hair, her skin was red, full of sores and lesions, her nails were long and curled, and HOW, HOW could a small dog smell so terrible? The Officer walked her out to my car – every three to four steps she would stop to pee — what was wrong? To be honest, I was wondering if she would make it at all… she was bleeding. Off to the most amazing Vet in MA – Dr. Holly Kelsey – her techs took this little one from my arms, washed her and soon after the Dr. started the examination, blood work, urine cultures, skin scrapings, x-rays, etc. Beenie was so agreeable. She was, no doubt, in pain yet not one growl, bite, or flinch. She had just surrendered.
Results: yeast infection, allergies, skin infections, bladder infection, ear infection, anemic, underweight, and the worst was the X-ray showed a bladder full of large stones. Stones that were too large to dissolve or pass; surgery was needed immediately. (I started to panic) I want to help, but how can I do this? What is going to happen to her? I can’t afford a $1,400. surgery… I wanted to cry. I thanked the Dr. and I took Beenie home. That evening she curled up on my lap on a towel and slept – I could feel the weight of her little tired body. For the next three hours, I made phone calls and emailed and I learned of WestieMed – and soon of ‘Bette’ – wonderful, unbelievable – with their support and this little girl’s determination, I thought pffft…she’s going to MAKE it!
After surgery, staples, antibiotics, allergy medication, special food, ear drops, medicated baths, up-all-night peeing, diarrhea, vomiting, etc… I can say that seven weeks later…
Tavish McPeAllie – WestieMed Recipient
She’s the boss! She’s my little CEO. (True to this breed I’m told) She talks a lot, and she’s quite the conversationalist, she has opinions on EVERYTHING! She’s definitely a ham and a camera hog, but the best thing is her spirit. She is just so happy to be alive that it shows in her face every minute of every day.
I would have expected her spirit to be broken, or fearful of people, or overly aggressive. I mean, I would have more issues than The Reader’s Digest if I’d been in pain for that long. If you could translate her ‘Beenie-speak’, I would bet she says “LOOK, I’M SMILING! I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO TODAY! I LOVE MY FRIENDS, BROTHER, MOM, NEIGHBOR, MY FENCE DOG FRIEND JOYCE, PETCO, BELLY RUBS, PARK, CHICKEN, BALLS, EAR SCRATCHES, NURSING MY STUFFED MOUSE TOY, CHASING, RUNNING…’ She stole my heart from the very first time I met her!
She’s gained plenty of weight (because her Mommy is definitely qualified to fatten up a dog!) and now I can’t feel her ribs or backbone anymore. Her skin is healed and soft, her fur is completely back thick, shiny, soft and full.
We could all take a lesson from Ms. Beenie – happiness is a choice, a state of mind, not the result of your current circumstances. She’s made it!! Lucky me. My little Been Bag today! twelve pounds!
Crystal
Tavish McPeAllie – WestieMed Recipient
Update September 22, 2009
Allie is my heart!
She has a chronic urinary problem, but we address this every day with antibiotics (two pills a day), and one allergy pill every other day, with a side of prayer that bladder stones do not form again. She sleeps in bed on a towel and she knows just where to go when she’s allowed up. Of course, the towel is right on the passenger side of the bed at the pillow for comfort. 🙂
She looks extra cute these days and super feisty with the weather change.
Kind regards, Crystal
Update February 22, 2010
Allie’s SUPER!
She has had no further problems. At all. Nothing. Not one thing. No bad urine samples, no stones, no allergies, etc… She’s on a daily regime of one chewable vitamin C, bottled water, and WD Chicken crunchies. She snacks on carrots, apples, cucumbers, and the occasional biscuit.
She’s as healthy and happy as could be.
She’s the most determined little girl ever… sometimes I get frustrated and then I look at her (and I say this out loud), ”I LOVE THAT ABOUT YOU”… she wags her tail….
Little girls are made of sugar and spice, mine has spirit and moxie…. I LOVE HER
Four-year-old spay female. I received a request to surrender from the owner in May 2008, however, they changed their mind. I asked them to please surrender her over to me when they called before her operation would be more costly the longer they waited. They wanted to try other options, changed dog food, and so forth. I tried to keep in touch, alas it was a cell phone and the calls went unanswered. Nine months later a four to five-old female showed up in Tacoma Shelter as stray on the street. (aka the name Tacoma Dolly) I am certain that this is the same dog as the odds of two dogs, same age, same tumors, same-sex, and same geographic location are probably impossible. In our state, the Humane Society and Shelters charge you $75 to dump your pet. If it is found as a stray then there is no charge. Since the people who FOUND Dolly said they had taken it to Banfield vet for an estimate, and since I know the previous owners had taken her to Banfield vet for surgery and that was the same vet the owners told me they went to. It is the same dog hands down.
Dolly – WestieMed Recipient
As you can see from the tumors she has a severe calcification of tumors in both ears and which are also coming out the back of her ears. After speaking to four Veterinarians and understanding the surgical skill of the procedure, we have found a specialist for this operation (see description of the procedure below). Four Vets in two separate clinics agreed that Dr. EB is the best to do this operation and he ironically was the cheapest. We are also getting a discount from the clinic.
Diagnosis: Dolly has had chronic ear infections and underlying Malassezia. The chronic ear infection was not kept in check and this is the outcome. Otitis Externa. This disease is mostly seen in floppy-eared dogs like cockers, and such.
These are tumors that have calcified. You cannot un-calcify tumors so no amount of antibiotics or medicine will make them go away. Alas, we are very far past the simple solution for recovery. The middle ear has built up an infection and has now burst through the inner ear canals and is seeping pus. The calcification of the tumors are the consistency of stone.
My primary vet explained this operation in layman’s terms for me. Since she gives me a discount on surgery – I asked if she could perform this operation. She said it is a very specialized operation and you must have an experienced surgeon to perform this procedure. Ironically there are only four in the Seattle area, and one who works out of both the Clinics I use for my rescues!
Procedure: Splay/cut open the ears and work off a CT scan or an X-ray to see how deep the tumors go (as she now has them jutting out the back of her ears)
Remove the outer tumors (which have calcified into rocks) and lay open the ear and remove the inner ear canals (I believe the middle and inner are also scaled/removed) which the infection and tumors grow out of. Go deeper into the eardrum and microscopically shear layers of the skin off the eardrum slowly so you can make sure it forms scar tissue and nothing can grow on it and no bacteria can ever form on it/in it? .. then they come back out. The inner canal is now gone… which has produced all the poison/toxin of this disease, and they sew it up. The dog has loss of hearing but can hear muffled sounds
She will be at the vet for three to four more days after surgery due to the pain of this surgery and she will be heavily medicated. She will be released into foster care, and come back in fourteen days for suture removal and then have a six-week recovery.
She also suffers from a bad immune system, and she is being treated for and of course Malassezia and she is on antibiotics. Dolly also needs dental care and has some bad teeth but we have rescue funds to cover that.
I have never in my life seen anything this gruesome and Dolly is in a lot of pain, but she is a very happy and sweet dog, is great with kids and other dogs even in this pain. She is fifteen pounds. She is happy and cheerful and pleasant and will make someone a fabulous dog. We are grateful to have you as our safety net and guardian angels. Sometimes in life, you are our only way out of a situation when we are pinned against the wall for funds.
Karin Parish, Rescue Coordinator Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue, Westies Westie Club of America, Rescue Rep for WA/OR/ID Westie Rescue USA Rep for OR/WA/ID
Update April 13, 2009
Dolly is doing well after surgery. Her ears are healed and she can hear – not clearly but she can hear! We are waiting a bit longer and then going to have her dental work done. Then she will be ready for adoption.
Karin Parish
Update May 26, 2009
Dear Dolly Supporters:
Before you check out the photos….
My question was … are you going to keep her? …. and the answer was “what do you think?”
WELL, she finally got adopted but my gosh have we had more setbacks with this little girl. Our little tumor girl.
To date, she has cost me at least $3700 with one trip to the ER… (However, we had the funds to cover it with the two grants and money raised by donors) … And she had her dental done, and her ear on one side never was cleared up (which we weren’t too sure of).
However, after she was adopted, her other ear became infected again and the new owners had to take her back into the vet… Lo and behold if she didn’t have estrus.. and go into heat! There is no hum-drum in the life of Westie Rescue!
Two vets told us she was spayed. Apparently it was a c-section scar! Poor Dolly is like the “never-ending story”.
She is getting spayed in a month, and she is back on antibiotics, and the new owners adore her. Here are their latest photos of her. Her new owners will be RV-ing around the country and she will be a copilot. I do believe she has her driver’s permit as we speak. Since her recovery, she has a stellar coat and no allergies to speak of.
Before you check out the photos…
My question was … are you going to keep her? …. and the answer was “what do you think?”
Look at the photos.
Enjoy!
Thank you again for all your support… hope to see you at the Westie Walk on June 27th.
Karin Parish Westie Rescue Rep (OR/WA/ID) Scottie Rescue Rep (Seattle)
On Christmas Day 2007, Angel, a seven to eight-year-old Westie, was found wandering in traffic near Louisa, Kentucky (close to the border of West Virginia), by a wonderful woman. Angel was “in very bad shape”. Angel had infections in both ears and one eye for which antibiotics were prescribed. The veterinarian believed Angel was very pregnant. Arrangements were made to place Angel into Westie/Cairn Terrier Rescue of SW Ohio in Williamsburg. Once in Williamsburg, Ohio, an ultrasound showed that Angel was not pregnant. Angel was spayed, further antibiotics were prescribed, and her teeth were cleaned with some removed. Further diagnostic testing showed Angel had an enlarged heart and cardiac medications were started. In addition, a mammary tumor was removed that fortunately was benign. Angel has given birth to multiple liters and is believed to have come from a puppy mill.
Angel remained unadopted for approximately three months. In browsing through the Westie Rescue, USA website, I found Carla Smith of Westie/Cairn Rescue of SW Ohio in Williamsburg and adopted Angel on 4/5/08. Angel was initially very timid and fearful. With minimal activity or after lying down, Angel would start coughing and had periods of labored breathing. Two days after adoption, Angel received medical treatment for what was believed to be congestive heart failure. However, Angel’s symptoms progressively became worse. Angel rarely barked and when she did, she would start coughing.
On 4/11/08, a cardiologist diagnosed Angel with Pulmonary Fibrosis, also known as Westie Lung Disease. It is chronic scarring of the lung tissue that is mostly seen in Westies. Angel receives three respiratory medications, including an inhaler, twice a day and her heart medications were discontinued. Within twelve hours, Angel’s activity level improved dramatically. Although seven to eight years old, Angel acted like a puppy, full of energy and getting into everything.
When Angel first arrived, she could only walk two to three house lengths without coughing and shortness of breath. Initially, the cardiologist said to restrict her activity; however, Angel was not going to comply with this prescription. Angel now briskly walks the entire block (twenty houses) several times a day and barks without coughing.
Angel has gained so much confidence, proudly walking down the street with that terrier prance and wagging her tail. The cardiologist is thrilled with her progress. In addition, she runs through the house with excitement, plays with toys, and is just as happy as she could be. Angel has also assumed a very important job, squirrel detective. Always on squirrel patrol, Angel is the fastest squirrel chaser around and if she could figure out how to climb a tree, she would. Her front paw goes up and her tail becomes straight when she senses a squirrel is on her turf. What a smart girl, if she can’t climb a tree, she will just chop the tree down with her teeth.
Angel loves other dogs and has several dog friends. Angel has become quite the neighborhood dog. Children on bicycles say, “Hi Angel” and people on porches always greet her. Angel looks in amazement, “Are they talking to me?” Although still a little people shy, Angel has just blossomed. Angel is the best little mommy helper around; she goes everywhere with Mommy including shopping, where she sits in the basket of the cart. Store clerks and shoppers always come up to her and two people have asked: “where they can get a dog just like her”. Such a sweet little Westie, Angel has provided much love, humor, and comfort to all of those who come across her path. Angel has been such a blessing!
Thank you so much to Westie Med, Inc. for providing the assistance for Angel to be able to live out the life that she deserves including the puppyhood that she missed. Angel and her mommy are so grateful for your kindness and generous support. Angel has truly been given another chance and she is taking every opportunity to live her new life to the fullest. Each day is a new adventure. Angel is truly an angel!
Update October 5, 2008
My life keeps getting better and better. Words cannot express my sincere gratitude to WESTIE MED for their concern over my well-being and their financial assistance.
I saw my cardiologist in September and got a very good report. I wasn’t surprised as I already knew because I feel so much better. My lung pressures are down, just borderline of the high end of normal. The doctor said, “that I still will always have pulmonary hypertension”, whatever that means. I still take my three medications, twice a day, no changes were made. I wish my doctor would stop that inhaler, I do not like that one, but Mommy waits until I am asleep to use it. The other two medicines I like because I get really good food with them. Mommy says, “Come on Angel, time for medicines” and I come running.
If I haven’t told you, I live in a palace! Boy, I am one lucky dog. I have my own couch and loveseat. Old carpet and furniture are a dog’s dream. I can do whatever I want. I sprawl out on my couch or loveseat, as big as I please. Mommy got me dog steps for the couch and I learned real quick how to climb them. I also have lots of toys. My toy squirrel is my favorite. In the palace, I can run all the way through the living room, dining room and kitchen in one swoop. I do this when I am really excited and happy. Also, at the palace, when you are hungry all you have to do is toss your food bowl and you get fed. On the weekends, it operates similar to a Bed and Breakfast. I get to sleep in and I get a little cream of wheat for breakfast, yum, yum.
Still busy chasing and barking at all those squirrels. I have my own backyard, I just love it. I run from one end to the other trying to get those squirrels. I do wish I had longer legs, so I could climb a tree or that fence. I can’t get away with much back there as Mommy is always watching; I tell her that she is too overprotective. I also watch the squirrels from my front door, I have a special mat there that has a beautiful picture of a Westie, just like me. In the mornings, sometimes I take a snooze on my mat as the sun shines on me.
I get to go on lots of walks, people around here say, “Hi Angel” as I walk by. My little legs just keep moving as quickly as they can and I wag my tail. Mommy says, “Good girl” as I prance down the street. I now potty all the time outside. After I “Potty Outside”, Mommy says, “Diggity, Dig, Diggity, Dog”, and I dig real fast. I also know what “Come, Come” means and “Stay”. Mommy says, “I am the smartest dog that she ever had”.
I have a Pet Nanny, my neighbor, Auntie DeAnna. She watches me all day when Mommy goes to work. Auntie DeAnna spoils me rotten. She bought a digital camera with video just to capture all of my best moments.
Good thing that the power went out for several days and I could not go to the groomer, as I discovered the palace also has a spa. I got a bath! I just loved it, lots of warm water, a massage with lather, I thought I was in heaven. Mommy said, “that I couldn’t go to the Cardiologist without a bath, as they might think I wasn’t well cared for”, boy, I would set the record straight if anyone ever said that.
I also have a sparkly new harness in pink and a matching leash with diamonds. Auntie DeAnna got me jewelry; doggy charms that go on my pink harness. I only wear this outfit on special occasions. And, I love to go “Bye, Bye”, that means a ride in the car.
Yep, I have a great life. Each day, I am so excited to get started that I help Mommy open the front door by scratching on it as she opens it, so I can be the first one to see outside. I am so, so happy!!! Thank you again for assisting with making my new life possible. I feel so much better now and in fact, I am able to hold a very important job and it’s in the career of my choice, squirrel detective.
Hugs and kisses, Angel
I hope you enjoyed reading Angel’s progress in her own words. I cannot believe that still each day, she gets better and better. Angel is so happy, full of life and more confident with each day. Quite a contrast from when she first came, so timid and fearful and then unable to do much with the shortness of breath and coughing. Angel now only coughs occasionally and only becomes short of breath when she overdoes it with those squirrels, but with a close eye, I can intervene before it gets to that point. Angel wakes up full of energy and ready to go. I have learned a great deal through adopting Angel. A ton of patience and love makes such a difference. I never would have dreamed that Angel would get to the point that she is. She is too cute and just the sweetest dog around, never growls or gets upset. Her next cardiologist appointment is now in five months. Also, her heart has not enlarged any further.
Thank you again. May God bless WestieMed for that work that you do.
Millie is a precious little five-year-old former breeding female who came to WRT as part of a commercial breeder surrender transport. Even with all of the afflictions she came to us with (i.e., a severe ear infection, paw infection, skin infection, hook and whipworms, dental disease and severe yeast in her ears and paws), she still managed to wag her little tail and seemed instantly so grateful for being out of the hell she’d been subjected to for the first five years of her life. Of the four who came us to on this transport, she has socialized at her foster home the quickest and easiest.
She, along with the others, spent many days at the vet’s office, just getting enough daily meds into her system so she would be healthy enough to move on to a foster home.
Millicent – WestieMed Recipient
Her foster mom reports she is doing so very well, and they are happy to keep her as long as it takes for us to match her up with the best possible furever home. She interacts very well with the family’s other Westie (one of our adoptees) and the other Spaniel mix. She also gets along with the family cat, which is a plus! She loves to play in the yard with the other dogs and kids but is just as content to be held in one’s lap for hours-on-end.
The bottom line is that Westie Rescue of Tennessee, with the generous help of WestieMed, gave this precious little girl a second chance. We are so very grateful for WestieMed’s generosity.
Update March 4, 2010
Our sweet Millie is doing fine and we love her very much. George and Linda Driese
Ian spent the first five years of his life in a small pen or cage except when he was needed for breeding purposes. He was used up and thrown away basically. When we got him he was so terrified of humans that he got in the back of the large crate and shook in the corner. The next morning at the vet, we literally had to turn the hard shell crate up on its end and shake him out of it. Ian stayed at the vet for days. He was immediately shaved and cleaned up with several baths that day. They were able to leave a little hair around his face. Ian had ear infections, skin infections, paw infections, worms and a urinary tract infection so severe that he was urinating blood. He also had severe dental problems. Ian was given several kinds of meds for his infections and other ailments. He was given a complete dental and had some teeth extracted. He was neutered. Ian now has a clean bill of health. His first real experience with freedom was when I picked him up. I brought him home in the large hard shell crate. We picked up the crate and took it in with him inside. When Ian saw a human, he saw mistreatment. He was terrified of me. It broke my heart. In order to gain his trust, I never reached in and snatched or forced him out, because that is what was probably done to him by his breeders. I would open the crate door and sit down in front of it and lean up against the wall about two feet away. I would speak softly to him and plead with him to come out. He stood in the center of the crate and shook so violently that the wire metal door on the front of the crate jingled from his shaking. His little eyes had a blankness to them that made me determined to find the little Westie that was in there somewhere. Every couple of minutes, I would slowly reach my hand in and touch the top of his head. He would cower and flinch each time. It took me about thirty minutes to get him to come to the edge of the crate door. He was afraid to step out because a lot of breeding dogs are punished severely forever trying to get out of their cages. It takes some of them a long time to be able to walk through a doorway in their new homes. I continued to touch his head and whisper to him. I could tell in his little eyes that he wanted so desperately to try out this new thing, but his fear would not allow him to. Finally, after petting his head and then retreating away from him over and over again, he saw that it wasn’t a trick to be able to get my hands on him and inflict some sort of pain. He began to trust me just a tiny bit and I knew that I had won the first battle. Each time it would take me about thirty minutes to get him to come to the edge and then I would pet him and praise him and offer him treats. He didn’t know what a treat was. I would put it up to his mouth and he didn’t know how to take food from my hand. If I laid it down in front of the crate, he would gingerly step out with one front paw, eat the treat off the floor and then wait to see what I did next. After about three days, I brought him up and introduced him to the three female Westies here. They got along beautifully. Ian began to watch them and do what they did. He would see them go to the always full food bowl and eat. After they finished, he would saunter over and look around as if to say “are you sure this is ok to do?”. He began to eat with them, he learned how to interact with them very quickly. It took about ten days for him to walk through the door to go out onto the deck. Before that, I would pick him up and take him out. He doesn’t like to be picked up just yet. He is still afraid. He doesn’t fuss or struggle, but his little body tenses up. I can tell he is afraid he is going to fall. He didn’t know what a toy was. The first time he walked up to a tennis ball on the deck and poked it with his nose, it rolled and scared him to death. I began to pick it up and gently roll it toward him and he would watch it and jump around so funny. Now he rips and tears up and down the deck chasing it. He gets it in his mouth and prances with it. He loves to be petted. He stays right at my feet. He now loves to wrestle and play with the other dogs and is a very loving little guy. He is like a stocky little linebacker and solid muscle. He has grown into a happy little Westie boy.
Ian – WestieMed Recipient
Ian has come a long way on his road towards understanding freedom and is a pleasure to have here. I will miss him very much when he is adopted. Ian is still very fragile as far as his ability to just take everyone at face value and relax and enjoy his life. He is getting there, but not there yet. He needs a loving owner to help him complete that journey. Ian is a one-person dog right now and I’m sure will grow into being around groups of people, but he needs his special person to cling to in this transitional stage of his life.
One reason Ian has progressed so well is his health. Thanks in part to WestieMed, his poor health issues were taken care of. Ian feels great for the first time in a long time is my guess. He is healthy and has a newfound desire to focus on learning how to be a pet and part of a family. It is such a day to day blessing to watch his little face as he discovers life outside of a cage. Ian is a work in progress and WestieMed is a large part of his progress. Thank you WestieMed for helping little Ian feel well enough to march into his new life!
Ian – WestieMed Recipient
Update March 29, 2008
I wanted to let you know that Ian went to his new home today.
I think Ian and his new owner are a great match.
But I am sure going to miss him. When I wasn’t looking, he stole my heart!
Thanks, Sherry
Update January 1, 2009: Ian now called Duffy
I thought you might be interested in an update on Duffy. It’s now been seven months since Duffy moved in with me. You would not believe the difference in this little guy. Completely gone is the hesitant, shaking terrified little furball. Duffy looks at each new adventure in his life with great interest and curiosity. He is completely over his fear of men and will greet and like the hand of a strange man with relish. He loves to ride in the car and often travels with me. He has been to the Big Apple twice and really enjoys hotel living. Suits him just fine.
It took several months for him to return the affection I lavished on him. Everything changed when I had to go to Colorado and Wyoming in late August for a two-week business trip. He stayed at home with someone taking care of him. Upon my return, he was visibly shocked to see me and hurled himself straight at me. Since then, he has decided he cannot stand being on the floor if I am on the couch; he wants to be on my lap or against my side or even on my chest. Each return home after a trip has knocked down more of his reserve until now he gets so excited he cannot contain himself. Of course, I can see in his expression that he wonders why he didn’t get to go along.
When I work on the weekends, Duffy comes with me. He has a special place in my office that he alone owns. For me, I have found the dog who loves squeak toys. Actually, he is beyond obsessive about them. I think this may be his one vice and I plan to consult with a behaviorist in the new year.
He has slimmed down and muscled up from long walks around the neighborhood and I let him choose the path each day. We began obedience training in the fall and he did remarkably well. I plan to continue with advanced training sometime in the spring.
He loves to chase squirrels and rabbits. Squirrels baffle him because he hasn’t figured out he should look UP in the tree to see where they’ve gone. He keeps racing around the base of the tree trying to find the little escape artist.
Honestly, this little pooch was the absolute best choice for me. It was worth the 1200 miles I drove that weekend to get him.
BTW, we did march in the Scottish Walk parade in Alexandria, VA. There were over 100 other Westies and all were rescues. He wasn’t the least bit bothered by the bagpipes, drums or black powder muskets being fired. I put a plaid scarf on him and he had a blast.
Happy New Year. Keep up the great work with Westies. Kate
I am an independent rescuer. I became enamored of Westies when I was working with Maine Coon Rescue. I live in NE MO and had an adopter wanting one of my Maine Coon rescues. He lived in Springfield MO (SW MO) and after much discussion, we agreed to do some driving to meet. I had seen an advertisement somewhere online for a “Dog Auction” I had heard all of the horror stories about puppy mills and decided since I was in the neighborhood I would drop in there and see for myself.
The cat was delivered and I drove another 25 miles to a farm in SE MO where the auction was being held. I was surprised to see security and a sign that said no cameras. I looked around in the barns and saw many breeds of dogs waiting to be auctioned off. I picked out a couple I thought were very nice looking and sat down in a tent with a five-page book of the dogs being auctioned. Birth dates and statements like aggressive breeder ready to whelp etc. The dogs were stood on a table and the auctioneer sold them. The dog I had really liked was a Yorkie who sold for $1,400 dollars. The auctioneer said, “you will get that back from her first litter”. Toward the end of the auction, a yellow-brown dog came upon the table. “This is a six-year-old male West Highland Terrier still got some juice and will give you some nice pups” the auctioneer cried. Do I hear $50 fifty anyone? No one bid. He was ready to take him off the table when I heard myself say $50. His name was Chris of Four Oaks, an AKC registered boy, with his right ear so crumpled and swollen I couldn’t get a q-tip in it to clean it. Chris turned out to be white under all the dirt. I called his former owner and ask about his ears. The guy said he had tried everything — vegetable oil, alcohol, and Listerine. To make this story shorter than it was Chris stayed with me for six months eventually being adopted by some great folks in a huge RV who traveled with their dog who was also a Westie. This experience with Chris hooked me on the breed. Chris was crate trained from day one. After his first bath, all he wanted was to sit with me on my lap. He had a hard time learning to go up and down steps and didn’t have a clue what a toy was. It was a joy watching him learn to be a housedog.
Now on to Alice. Alice and her hubby Jake came to me in October 2007 because I had ransomed their two male pups and sent them on to Westie Rescue of MO. The breeder called me and ask if I would take the parents also. Jake, the daddy, went to Cincinnati Westie Rescue and when I discovered Alice was pregnant I decided she could stay with me until the pups were ready to go. Alice got a heartworm test, was wormed and she was given the basic shots. The pups were born in early November, two boys, and two girls. George and Gracie, Hannah and Elvis. Alice looks as if she has been bred every time she was in heat. I know the pups I had rescued were born in April.
The previous owner worked at a puppy mill and had bought Alice and Jake to breed in her backyard. They had been left out in the yard all summer. Full of fleas ungroomed and Alice had rubbed all of the hair from her back end trying to scratch the flea bites. All of the pups had adopters waiting for them. My granddaughter asked for Hannah, Gracie was to go to Houston TX where an adopter already approved by Westie Rescue of OK was waiting for her. Elvis and Alice were going to a terrific home near St Louis MO. And Georgie’s home in Chicago was getting ready for a home visit. Alice and Elvis went home first. Within a week the adopter called me with unbelievable news. Alice tested positive for heartworms. I was floored. I had her tested, what went wrong? My vet called her vet and they decided that Alice was in an in-between stage when she was first tested. The test did not show active heartworm. The adopters’ vet quoted the treatment at “$600 dollars and a lot of heartbreak down the line.” I am unsure what he meant because my vet told me it was nowhere that expensive and Alice would be fine. She was at most a class two infection. I was so relieved. The adopter had already decided to adopt the other male puppy so Alice is here with me going through the treatment. She is a real trooper and my vet has been so helpful. He kept her at the clinic each day after her shot and gave her something for the pain. I was emailing a Westie Rescue volunteer in IL who told me about WestieMed helping out with medical needs. I had already spent a lot on getting all of Alice’s puppies spayed/neutered shots, etc. and was very short on money. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me to receive this help. WestieMed is the best!!
Oh yes, I did attend one more dog auction and ended up with a seven-month-old male Westie pup. He was very reserved and not very friendly. His name is Duncan McCloud and is my forever Westie. Alice will be ready for a new home in four months and we will find her the best home ever.
Thank you WestieMed for helping all of these wonderful little dogs.
Update August 27, 2008
Alice – WestieMed Recipient
Alice passed her second heartworm test. She is negative. I learned a lot from this. The treatments are very painful. The vet kept her the first day of her shots at the office. When I took her for the second shot they were going to let her go home with me. We got a couple of miles out of town when she began to whimper and shiver. I pulled over and we sat for a while. I ended up taking her back to the vet and asking if they would monitor her and I would pick her up that night. When I went back in they asked me if Alice had ever evidenced seizures. As she had never had a seizure I was baffled. As they explained her behavior a little more I started to laugh. Alice has a quirk. She loves to chase lights and will lay for hours waiting for a reflection on my metal chair to flash on the wall under the desk. When she first started this we thought she saw or heard a mouse or a bug but came to understand she is on alert when there are lights flashing. The vet kept her in a stainless steel cage – perfect to reflect lights and shadows. Even the vet got a laugh out of out quirky girl Alice.
Alice is in foster care with her daughter Hannah. We have become very attached to her and her wonderful personality. She is a smaller girl only fourteen pounds. She is having some problems with her skin this summer the fleas have been awful and even Frontline and Revolution have not been 100% effective. So she is having the smelly skin and dirty coat. We have spoken to the vet about a shot but she isn’t having the hot spots so we are holding off and using a special shampoo. Thank you all so much for your help with Alice and her care. She the most special of Westies I have had in foster care. A true diamond.
Update March 1, 2010
Alice is still with us. The perfect home hasn’t come around. She is a great girl. Barks to go out. Her light fixation has caused some concerns with potential adopters. Some think it is cute and some are a bit afraid she is seizing (well, she is, but we don’t call it that) But no problem, she will always have a home here. We will probably need to do some dental work on her, the vet said her teeth were stained and weakened possibly from the breeder giving doses of tetracycline when she was a puppy. So Alli has lost some front teeth and the back ones look very yellowed. She and my Duncan get along as well as two terriers can. There are disagreements and then playful romps and tussles. Just common Westie stuff. Her daughter Hannah lives next door and visits daily. All in all, she is a happy Westie girl.
Pat Hardy/Smith
Update October 4, 2010
It is with great sadness that I report that Alice has left us for the Bridge. She came down sick on Sunday, Sept the 12th and passed at the vets on Tuesday the 14th. She seemed to suffer little or no pain. Dr. Hudson tried all he could but she went very quickly. I am so glad I kept her with me, she enriched our life here and made us laugh with her antics. Duncan is coping. We had taken in a rescue Doxie and it has helped him fill the gap Alice left.
I was contacted regarding a four-year-old, unspayed, Westie in dire need of medical attention. The callers conveyed to me that they commented on a photo of a Westie at a business location and the owner said that she didn’t look like that anymore. She said she was allergic to cats, and she needed a new home. She would be happy to let them have her.
On approximately October 24th, the above persons met the owner in a parking lot and found this poor female unsprayed Westie filthy and severe ear infection, loss of hair. They were horrified at her state. The owner cried and said she could no longer afford the dog and signed the dog over complete with vet bills and AKC papers. The owner sent her with a volume of vet bills up until May 2007
The good Samaritans looked through the vet bills and found that Sophie had cost about $2500 to date in vet bills. None of the bills dealt with her skin problems, but she was billed for a ton of unnecessary work which was covered under “pet insurance.”
The finder wrote: The woman told me Sophie’s health was okay until about a year ago when they got two Persian cats. She says the vet thinks she is allergic to cats and that her health would not improve until she was removed from that environment. True or not, the woman was obviously desperate so I brought Sophie home to try to find help. The paperwork she gave me from the vet doesn’t tell me a lot but does seem reasonably consistent with the timeframe.
October 29th – Contacted rescue – They kept her for two days and were very enchanted with her, but her health was so diminished that they felt with their jobs they had no time for her, and wanted her to have a good life, made a Vet appointment and the Vet shook his head and said – she is going to be a “major project”. (at that time this Vet also didn’t give Sophie any meds, this was apparently a “consultation” visit. He told the ‘Finders” the cost and dedication would be off the charts, and how much did they want to do this? After the consultation, they decided to turn her over to rescue. We made arrangements for the transfer.
October 30th a.m. – Transport: In the fog @ 8:30 am Mary Scott drove out to Coupeville and boarded the Keystone Ferry to Port Townsend. She was armed with a crate, and leash and she also had the release forms and was going to meet the “husband” at 11:30 at the ferry dock and do a turnaround and come and drop Sophie off at my house. Mary called me from the Ferry at noon and said “I’m heading back, and you aren’t going to believe it. She is worse than Shannon was. She is bleeding out of crevices of her skin, she is biting and itching and I think I am going to cry. “ I said, “MARY, don’t cry now, she is on the road to recovery, I have to call the vet and see if I can get her in today.” Mary said – “She’s a mess, a poor pitiful mess”. It was a four transport.
October 30th – I transferred Sophie from Mary’s car to my car crate, and she itched and bled in my crate as I drove down to the Bothell Animal Hospital. I was on the cell phone ten times with their staff, they probably were sick of hearing me. I left Sophie for the night so she could get bathed and all her testing done and do something about her comfort. She had to have massive steroid shots. I also wanted them to bathe her and medicate her as she was in a sorry state, and very cranky. I didn’t want her first day with me to be unpleasant, and I needed time to prepare my home for her and an introduction to my dogs.
Dr. Shannon Smith called at sevem pm and said they injected her with steroids to stop the itching, she is getting a medicated bath two times tonight and she has had her ears flushed, her eyes flushed, antibiotics, and starts her Ketoconozole when she gets home. I will also be stopping on the way down tomorrow to pick her up – and get some doggie PJs. She has several infections going on and Dr. Smith found flea dirt which just adds to the whole mess. We didn’t want to treat her for fleas until she heals more, the cracks and dry skin are not good. It’s going to be a long haul and she said we can’t spay her until her skin heals or else the incision can get a horrible infection. We are closing off the evening with Sophie safe and warm and not in pain, me exhausted, Mary exhausted and me playing musical chairs with the other fosters and working on getting funding for Sophie’s meds. Blood was drawn to see what caused all these allergies.
November 3, 2007 – Sophie is responding to the medicated baths and exfoliation. Her ears are finally returning to normal, and she is still very cold and shivering. She is wrapped in baby blankets, and pjs. She has baby blankets and receiving blankets lining her crate and she prefers being in front of the fire place. She is slowly responding. She seems to be a one owner dog, and has never really been socialized. She has deemed me her HUMAN, and so we have some jealousy issues to work on. Other than that, she is a very sweet dog and thankfully perfectly potty trained and crate trained.
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
November 9, 2007 – Daily baths with Malaseb are really making a difference. Her clothing is changed two times a day to keep her clean. I wipe her feet off w/baby wipes when she comes inside. She finally started playing with toys and is very affectionate. Her hair is growing back on her face and body, but her legs are still in disarray. She has stopped itching which I contribute to the bathing. Sophie also allowed me to scrape her teeth with a dentist metal scraper and she let me brush her teeth also. Her back teeth are in bad shape and she will need her teeth cleaned. She is currently on non-grain dry food only with yogurt and grain-free dog biscuits or apples.
November 14, 2007 – Vet appointment showed that her yeast is subsiding but she still has a raging Staph infection. Her allergy tests came back and the only thing she was allergic to on the food/airborne side was: lamb! She showed a level two on fleas. The outcome seemed to be that this minor allergy was neglected and caused her to get into this state. Fortunately for us, we can solve this issue with flea meds and a change of diet. It was sad to know all this was caused by something so preventable. We discussed her spaying and Dr. Smith said another month until her Staph infection is cleared up. Also to put her back on more antibiotics.
November 16, 2007 – I have decided to put Sophie in another foster home because she is getting to attached to me. I find that rotating the fosters out, help them evolve in their personality, teach them manners in other homes, and just open up a new experience in their life. It also helps the foster moms experience all the different rescue dogs we come across.
November 20, 2007 – Foster mom reported she is doing well. She is getting along with the other Westie. She is still cold and prefers sitting in front of the fireplace. She is eating well and is a stellar house guest. We anticipate her staying in this foster home for three more weeks and then we will make arrangements for spaying and dental care.
Our outlook is that Sophie will have a great life, and not a life of allergies. She has been a joy to foster, and cute as a button. I suspect she will be in foster care for another two months.
Karin Parish – Seattle Dog Rescue – Westies
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
December 2007:
Glad Tidings to all!
Sophie has made a come-back and full recovery. (two months in our great care!)
She is scheduled for spaying and dental on December 27th.
We want to thank you for making it possible to help save her.
Karin Parish – Westie Rescue
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
Update May 7, 2008:
Sophie was adopted to a first time Westie owner single woman in a condo, and its a great match.
She was in foster care four and half months. (It was a long HAUL).
Both the owner and Sophie have the same temperament. Sophie is the Diva and her owner treats her as a diva with a complete wardrobe and such.
They are both stay at home “gals” so they bring each other much comfort.
Sophie rides wonderfully in a car, so she is a joy to take places.
She is happier being an only dog, as she has more room to store her TIARA.
