On February 27, 2012, we lost our beloved Schnauzer Gwen. She was only ten years old when we lost her after two episodes of kidney failure. Her loss was great for my husband and me. She had filled our lives with much love and fun.
After about a month, we knew that we missed the companionship of a little dog very much and desired to rescue someone needing a home. We spent the next month searching for a new friend. We wanted a terrier of some type. Westie Rescue of Maryland found what sounded like the perfect dog for us. He had been picked up in Prince George County in Maryland, taken to a shelter and then fostered in a home.
We thought we were getting a Schnauzer/Westie mix about four years old. After getting our new friend, Sullivan, we found out he wasn’t exactly the dog we thought he was. We thought Sullivan was four years old, had had two teeth removed and was being treated for an eye infection. As it turned out, after speaking with the initial vet that had examined Sullivan after he had been rescued, he was closer to eight years old, had actually had fifteen teeth removed and was one week away from having his eye enucleated if the eye infection that he was being treated for didn’t clear up.
The following Monday, we took Sulli to our veterinarian who we have used for over ten years. She met us in the lobby and immediately said, he’s got a bad looking eye. Our vet confirmed the eight -ten year age and wanted us to see the eye specialist as soon as possible. By the end of the week, we made the trip to see Dr. Corcoran, the ophthalmologist.
The ophthalmologist told us that the eye infection was so severe and the cornea so damaged that he actually had no vision in the eye. It’s difficult to know what caused this condition. He either did not have an eye duct in the eye or the one he had didn’t work. After years of neglect, the eye is like leather and in jeopardy of repeat infections and problems. She recommended a $1200 surgery to remove the eye. In the meantime, we took Sullivan home and continued on the antibiotic drops and the steroid drops twice a day.
After a week of contemplating how to proceed regarding the surgery, we decided it would be best to have the eye removed. By this time, we were bonded to Sulli and he to us. We felt we were handed a big bill for him, but then someone told me about WestieMed and how they might assist with the costs of his surgery.
The following week we took Sulli back to Dr. Corcoran, to have the eye removed. However, she called me after putting him under anesthesia and said that upon viewing the eye, it seemed slightly better. He seemed to have some peripheral light going into the eye. She felt possibly getting the drops regularly and better nutrition might be helping. She did not expect a complete reversal of the damage, but he could see light and dark in the eye. So, we decided not to take the eye out.
Sullivan – WestieMed Grant Recipient
Sulli, is a sweet, appreciative and loving little guy. He has become very loyal to us and we to him. He is good at expressing himself verbally too. He has a low-level growl that he uses to get our attention; especially when he wants his head or belly rubbed. The first time we had him groomed, he was so proud and felt so good, you could just see it in his walk. Sullivan loves taking walks and we easily cover two-three miles a day. Sulli spent a good part of the summer in the mountains of NY at our camp. He learned to smell, as he didn’t seem to have any interest in smelling when we first got him. He loved chasing the chipmunks in our yard and going for boat rides. He had no interest in swimming or getting in the water though!
While Sullivan still needs his eye drops twice a day, he is mostly cooperative about getting them. We need to continue the treatment for the next year and then once again be evaluated by Dr. Corcoran. We wanted a younger dog, but he seems to keep up with our activities most of the time. He is lucky in that my husband works out of the house and I am home much of the time. He likes having someone with him. He is a healthy boy and in spite of the rough time he had for a while, he is doing quite well now.
Thank you for your interest in Sullivan. Mary Fitzgerald
Update January 7, 2013
Since I last wrote, we have had to take Sullivan to the vet for intestinal issues, but a change in diet has helped a lot.
Sullivan continues to get the eye drops and does alright with seeing most things. Some times his depth perception is off, but he manages.
Thank you again for your assistance with Sullivan and his vet bills.
Sincerely, Mary
Update June 20, 2013
Sulli just came from the groomer today and is quite handsome. I don’t have a photo download right now, sorry. Sullivan is doing well and is definitely my dog. Try as he has, Sulli doesn’t want my husband near him if I am around. This and his need to hoard over his food, make us believe he had a rough time in the past.
He is very comfortable and enjoys being with us at the lake we spend time at in the summer.
His left eye still gets drops twice a day, which seems to prevent the infections. He is so good about getting them.
Overall, he is doing great and we enjoy his company!
I received a call from a “concerned person” who told me about some westies that were in a backyard breeding facility in upstate New York. The lady said the owner had contacted her about giving the westies up to rescue because the facility was being closed. Their owner described JoJo as a small breeding westie in good health.
I drove several hours and met the lady who contacted me. She had JoJo and another westie. JoJo was indeed a tiny westie weighing in at just over eleven pounds. She said the “owner” told her JoJo might possibly be pregnant. JoJo was current on her rabies shot and needed updating on all other inoculations.
The following day I took JoJo to my vet and he confirmed the fact that she indeed was pregnant. He could see three maybe four shapes. He was not concerned about her being in distress as she was running around and playing with westies. She seemed in good health. He gave her an antibiotic and also a vitamin.
JoJo went to her foster home shortly after that. As the weeks went by JoJo got bigger and seemed to be fine. One day she began throwing up and was taken to her new vet. The foster Mom worked for this vet. She ate a piece of rawhide and a chunk got stuck in her throat. The vet tried several things and finally removed the rawhide.
However, he had to do an emergency C-section due to JoJo’s delicate condition. She and the puppies would die without the surgery. The surgery was a success and five puppies were born prematurely. Unfortunately, all the puppies died within a week. They were simply too early.
On March 3, 2012, JoJo went to her forever home. She had a vet checkup today. She has gained some weight and is doing well.
Sincerely,
Bob Murphy Rescue Westies WPA
Update February 9, 2013
I adopted JoJo from Westie Rescue in Pittsburgh, PA.
JoJo is doing wonderful! Other than allergies she has no health problems. It’s just her and me and believes me she is quite spoiled, to say the least. She gets groomed every 8 weeks and has a wardrobe as large as mine! Her Steelers coat cost more than mine. LOL.
Thank you for helping JoJo, without WestieMed we would not be as happy as we are.
If not for a concerned human being, Jake might not have been with our rescue today. The woman who contacted us cared enough about him to talk his owner into surrendering him to her. She, in turn, took him to her vet for immediate care and then contacted us and took the steps to place him into our rescue program. This kind soul shared that the owner did not care about this little guy and she warned us he was in bad shape but nothing could prepare any of us involved in rescue for what was in store when we saw him at Montrose Animal Hospital, our rescue vets. He was two years old, weighed a minuscule ten pounds and the lesions on his body were indescribable.
Our veterinary clinic allows us to have rescues surrendered to them so Jake, as he is now known, was taken there. He was in such bad shape that it was necessary to shave him, but it was so painful that he had to be lightly sedated to reduce the trauma to him. Fur was trimmed away and it revealed inflamed and bleeding skin lesions. After all, was said and done, Jake had severe demodectic mange and secondary infections. He went into foster care with a litany of medications from ear drops, eye ointments, antibiotics to antifungals, and a de-wormer. Needless to say, neuter surgery was the least of the worries at this point and the goal was to get him stronger and back to the Westie “attitude” we Westie owners all love and know.
Jake’s foster mom was amazing. The amount of love and attention Jake received was over the top and went a long way in his healing process. He has never been left alone at home – he travels to work with foster mom or dad every day dressed in his sweaters to keep him warm until his coat grows back. Daily medicated baths have progressed to weekly baths to help his skin. Walks have been slow in evolving because his paw pads were so inflamed that it took time to get him to where he could comfortably take leash walks.
Jake – WestieMed Grant Recipient
We all thought this little guy was on the way to his new “forever” home because he was recovering from the mange – his fur coat was coming on strong and he was finally was able to be neutered. Unfortunately, Jake’s journey to health was not over by a long shot.
Jake started limping toward the end of February, and examination by the vet showed a luxating patella. The initial medical intervention included pain medication and crate rest but was ineffective, and surgery was required. Surgery was performed on March 16, 2012, and Jake’s prognosis is great. The vet indicated that all looks good and this should be the last of Jake’s issues. He is now ready to find that “forever” family.
Jake’s story and the journey is confirmation for why the members of our club do what we do. Westie Club of the South is an independent 501 (c)(3) club dedicated to helping our Westie companions. Funding to rescue and treat needy Westies is raised through our efforts alone. While we try to absorb the costs without assistance, Jake’s situation has been a challenge to us; hence, our request for assistance from WestieMed.
Cynthia Levine Chair Atlanta Westie Rescue Committee Westie Club of the South, Inc.
Update October 2, 2012
Jake – WestieMed Grant Recipient
Right after Jake was adopted, his little boy had to have corrective surgery on both legs. The photo of them in bed is right after the surgery. The doctors had to actually break both legs and re-set them. He spent two months in a wheelchair.
Jake – WestieMed Grant Recipient
As you can see from the other photo, he is now sans casts, and the best part is that he and Jake can run together.
If you will recall, Jake had no fur when he came into our program, but look at him now!
We are all so thankful that WestieMed has such a generous heart.
Cindy Levine, Chair Atlanta Westie Rescue Committee Westie Club of the South, Inc.
Update January 8, 2013
Jake – WestieMed Grant Recipient
Jake is doing great, not so fond of the cold rainy days but other than that he is fabulous. His skin looks terrific and he has grown so much fur. He limps some times but it doesn’t seem to bother him.
Jake is gorgeous, of course, but the photo with all his brothers and sister is just beautiful. There isn’t much to tell. Jake is the perfect Westie now that he is healthy. My thanks to WestieMed for your part in helping Jake.
Cindy Levine, Chair Atlanta Westie Rescue Committee
Pixie is a dog that was turned into Westie Rescue of Orange County and Beyond in March of 2011 by the son of her owner who had dementia. When she came to us, she was in severe distress from multiple infections and the most severe case of atopic dermatitis we have ever seen. She had a sweet demeanor and her big eyes looked into ours with a pleading cry of “please, help me.” So, she began the journey down her road to recovery.
Antibiotics, medicated baths, ear drops, and a special diet all contributed to Pixie’s recovery. But, the biggest and most dramatic improvements were seen when she started taking Atopica. We have worked with two different veterinarians and spent many months of trial adjusting the dosage and have settled on a dosage o 50mg. We have assurance from the vet this is a safe dosage for a dog who may live another ten years.
Pixie – WestieMed Grant Recipient
We, here at Westie Rescue, are ecstatic about the turn around this dog has made and thrilled that she is healthy again.
As you might imagine, it has been difficult placing Pixie in a permanent home due to the ongoing cost of the Atopica she needs to live a comfortable life. Just recently, a retired nurse has expressed interest in our little Pix.
It has been a very long journey for Pixie and we are very hopeful that she may finally find her perfect home. We will keep you updated.
Thank you all for funding our little Pixie. I cannot express how much we appreciate your generosity. Thank you again. Pixie sends kisses!!
Sincerely, Kay DeLoach President, WROC
Update February 6, 2013
Pixie spent 297 days with WROC and traveled a very long road to recovery. She emerged a beautiful Westie. She was adopted by a wonderful new Mom, Marge. Marge says that she took one look at Pixie and knew that it was meant to be.
Pixie continues to thrive but will need to take Atopica for the rest of her life. WROC set up a program for Marge, who is a senior, to purchase Atopica at half price. Thanks to the generosity of WestieMed, we were able to restore Pixie’s health and place her in a loving home.
Kay DeLoach Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond
Wilson was found by Animal Control in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ on September 26. Ten days later, in response to the shelter’s plea for a rescue to take him, I went to pick him up. Wilson had bad timing as this was right before Montgomery and all the other show people who do rescue were unavailable. I was not sure that I was ready for a dog as sick as Wilson reputedly was, but it was clear if I didn’t take him, nobody would. So I headed over to one of New Jersey’s most grim, underfunded shelters to meet my new charge.
When I got him, Wilson was so sick it was truly frightening, and so I took him straight to my vet. Upon seeing him, the vet confirmed this was exactly where this very sick little dog should be and felt he should stay there for a few days. Wilson received intensive care and repeated observation for five days, which helped enormously in diagnosing his various problems: severe starvation/emaciation (weighed nine pounds when he was found), raging Giardia, Coccidia, worms, Malassezia, secondary bacterial skin infection, ear infections, and eye infections. Due to his Malassezia, he had lost a lot of hair and smelled like yeast; due to his horrid living conditions (apparently he was living as a feral dog) and bad health, he smelled like urine. Due to his sickness, he was unable to eat normally; he had no appetite, refused almost all food, ate only small amounts of what he would take (I fed him by hand during this time), then regurgitated most of it. Each time, I would clean it up, and try again. He slept almost constantly and I gave him the softest beds I could find since he was so thin that he could not comfortably sit or lay on a hard surface. On top of that, he was withdrawn and depressed. The vet estimated this little guy was just about five years old.
Gradually, Wilson began to recover. The first milestone was when he could eat food without the obvious pain that it first caused him, and when he was able to keep things down without regurgitating. Since his medications were all oral, this was a critical step in his recovery. Whereas he could initially only handle chicken and rice, eventually, he was able to eat dog kibble, and eventually began to put on weight. With the help of frequent medicated baths, he started to grow some hair back. Emotionally, he had been damaged too, and seeing the rehab from that was even more touching than seeing the physical issues resolve. While he still was not comfortable anywhere except in his pen, he began to come out of his shell, seemed to start to enjoy being patted, and even started to make eye contact with me after about a month.
Now, three months into rescue, Wilson has made amazing progress. He shows great affection for people and other dogs; he enjoys walks and comes to me to get patted and even lets me hug him which he would not tolerate initially. The vet was amazed that his ear infection, which was so bad the vet feared he would be deaf from scarring, has completely resolved. His skin had cleared up nicely and the odor almost is gone. Once he was well enough, he was neutered. That operation was a little scary since his pulse went so high, but he made it through. The dental cleaning done at the same time showed that while he has no enamel left on his teeth, at least none needed to be pulled. Wilson needs regular tooth-brushing though, for the rest of his life. Wilson is still waiting for his forever home to come along, but he is safe and sound in the meantime.
I am deeply grateful to WestieMed for the critical help it provides. I decided to start rescuing after I had been showing and breeding dogs for a year or two and thought, well, if I am going to bring more dogs into this world, I’m going to help the ones who are already here. As an independent rescuer, I receive no funding from any regional club and no donations other than the modest adoption fees which rarely cover the medical care that rescued dogs need. I rescue dogs “part-time”; generally, one at a time. I spend a great deal of time on the phone with potential adopters, advising them on the perils of buying badly bred dogs (many, I find, are considering a rescue dog as a cheaper alternative to a pet store purchase) and helping them identify quality Westie rescue groups. While it feels like a very small contribution to the welfare of dogs in need, as they say, “it is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness”. I see myself as lighting single candles, one by one, for Westies in need. I have found how gratifying it is to be able to rescue dogs, even on a small scale, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to play a role in these little miracles that WestieMed makes possible.
Lisa Curry
Update February 13, 2013
Wilson – WestieMed Grant Recipient
Attached is a picture from April 2012, the month we adopted Wilson from Lisa Curry. The other picture is from January 2013 where Wilson is enjoying the warmth of a wood fire on a cold day.
We got about six inches of snow last weekend and Wilson had to confine his outside duties to shoveled paths/driveway, but by the second day the snow had compacted a bit and his short legs were able to break through the snow to the ground allowing him to bound along through the open snowfields. He was very cute there, and about everywhere else. He is allowed on our property off the leash and seems to enjoy the freedom, but it makes him a less willing walker on a leash. We are on a private access road so he doesn’t have access to a road with traffic on it. We also supervise his outside times, and somehow seems to know where our upper property ends, he never leaves that area even if he is in hot pursuit of White Tail Deer, yes they are frightened and bound away, off into the woods and Wilson stops at the end of the mowed areas.
Wilson – WestieMed Grant Recipient
I think Wilson is doing well and we continue to learn how to deal with his sensitivities to food and other possible allergy reactions. He has a regular veterinarian was he has been examined and resulted in us having an abscessed tooth removed. This relieved him of pain, we believe. With help from Lisa we selected a grain-free, limited ingredients sweet potato/fish kibble for his basic food.
I continue to work on developing trust and obedience that allows me to groom and trim nails…progress is being made. He will nip and fight back. I have used a Dremmel drum sander on his nails one foot at a setting, and not all the way down on each nail. He is somewhat comfortable with that maybe due to his familiarity with a hairdryer after a bath. He is quite reasonable about taking a bath. The Dremmel and hairdryer are perceived mostly by the vibration, not hearing as his hearing is very poor – not an effective watchdog but boy can he bark, sounds like a much larger dog.
He seems to be very comfortable living here and with us.
Jerry and Barbara Peterson
Update November 17, 2013
Wilson – WestieMed Grant Recipient
Wilson was in for surgery on October 14, to remove a sizable growth on his left cheek and a smaller one on his neck. Attached is a picture of that event. While there he was again diagnosed with Yeast problems and has been on Ketoconozole tables each day and the ear medicine now only his left ear. His feet and legs are about back to normal with hair and while he continues to like to lick, he is not licking his feet and legs, they must have itched.
The vet also put him on a very strict prescription diet by Hills Z/D, it has only modified protein and we have even stopped using HeartGuard as it has a beef flavor. He is not one a topical heartworm med, forget the name.
If we can identify a food allergy we may be able to get him off of prescription medications such as ketoconazole, albeit we’ll continue it in his bath regiment. I have the approval to give him baked potato (microwave) and white rice with nothing but the cooking water. He likes those as a treat, and does okay with the prescription kibble, he liked the salmon and sweet potato much better, I also used a canned salmon to add interest…hope he can eat fish in the future.
I am beginning to think Wilson may have been abandoned by a family in the city area who simply couldn’t afford to treat him, and was ashamed of his condition to the point of not taking him to an animal shelter – he may not have been in Liberty State Park long before animal control picked him up. This guess is not important but reflects our affection for him and wondering about his earlier life. He has many “family dog” characteristics, he was not simply a “puppy mill” caged breeder.
Hope your good work helping our dog friends is going will, you remain in our high regards for your good work, and some even for non-Westies : ) which is a lovely breed I have come to believe, albeit they are a Terrier!
Jerry
Wilson’s care was funded by a grant from The Pedigree Foundation.
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!
Bailey was an owner release from a family of Pearl City, NY to Westie Rescue of NY. Bailey is eleven years old. When his previous owner contacted us, we were told that Bailey had some “skin issues”. They let me know that they tried to help him, but he needed more time and attention that they were able to give him because they have three small children. We were sent a few photos, which we later found out were about nine months old. Upon contact with their Vet, we found out that Bailey had always had skin issues that were addressed sporadically. It seems that they took him into the vet, but didn’t always follow through on treatments. It was the Vet’s opinion that Bailey desperately needed treatment and follow through. We agreed to take Bailey in and deal with all his issues.
Through the great generosity of the volunteers of Westie Rescue of NY, we were able to coordinate transportation across NY state from Pearl River, just outside NYC to Rochester, NY, approximately 325 miles away. Upon meeting Bailey for the first time, my heart broke. This Westie had the worse skin condition I had ever seen. His left eye was almost completely sealed shut. Just to the left of his mouth a large sore broke through his fur. His underbelly was completely black with very tough skin. But, through all this Bailey was a sweet boy. The lady who transported Bailey let me know he was very good during the whole trip.
Bailey arrived in Rochester, NY on a Sunday. The next day I made an urgent call to our Vet and was able to secure a late afternoon appointment. Bailey was diagnosed with an eye infection, chronic Dry Eye, UTI, Malassezia and skin lichenification.
Bailey was put on Clavamox for his infections, for his eyes he was prescribed Mycitracin Ointment and Optimmune Ointment and he was to be bathed with Malaseb shampoo on a regular basis
It’s been over a month since Bailey has been with us. The sore next to his mouth is gone, his eye infection is gone, although he will have to have Optimmune Ointment administered to his eye twice a day for the rest of his life. His skin has greatly improved, although I have been told that he will always have skin issues. We are committed to seeing everything through. On his next Vet appointment, we hope to find out his UTI has completely cleared up.
We will be updating again soon. Gloria Mueller, President, Westie Rescue of NY
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.
Izzy came to Westie Rescue of TN on a volunteer rescue transport in late January. It was freezing cold and the wind was howling the night she was taken out of the cargo van and put into my car. She was in a cage stacked ceiling-high in the cramped van. It was so full because the rescue angel was trying to get as many dogs as she could out of their horrible living conditions. She still had an all-night drive ahead of her to deliver the various breeds of little dogs that did not yet realize that their lives were about to change. They were off to different rescues in several cities.
Izzy was in my car with six other dogs, including three other Westies. They got as far back in the crates as they could. They backed into the corners and trembled when we would reach in to touch them. They didn’t understand what the warm blankets and soft towels in the crates were. None of them cried none of them fussed, none of them dared to complain about the bitter cold during the time it took us to locate them in the cargo rescue van and transfer to my car. It took a while because Izzy and the other Westies were almost unrecognizable as Westies. There are no words to describe the filthy, disgusting shape they were in. Even though the wind chill factor was in the teens, we drove the 225 miles back home with the back window vents on my SUV open. The urine that permeated the inside of the car burned our eyes so strongly that we had no choice. Windows down, heat blasting. The little dogs had lived in their own urine for so long, it had become a part of them. Each one of them had a blank look in their eyes that I will never forget. I had to look hard to find Izzy’s little eyes. They were covered by so much dirty, matted hair.
Isabella – WestieMed Recipient
I would later learn that she suffered from severe dry eyes that had never been treated. The worst-case the vet had ever seen. Imagine your eyes hurting and burning and scratching for four or five long years and not being able to tell anyone. Not that anyone, where she came from, would have cared. Because of not being treated, she suffered eye damage and will now have a vision impairment that can never be healed. She will need eye drops every day for the rest of her life to ease her discomfort. She also had infections in both eyes. Both of her dewclaws were so long that they had embedded into her skin. I can only imagine how it must have hurt to walk. She had infections and yeast on all of her feet and between her pads. She had an infection in both ears. Places on her skin were infected from pure filth more than likely. She had hook and whipworms. She had a urinary tract infection. Her little mouth was in horrible shape. She had severe dental disease and had to have teeth pulled. A week after arriving at the vet, Izzy had to have surgery for bladder stones. Izzy was so traumatized that I began to wonder if there was even a little Westie left in that tired and mistreated body. If only there were some way to show the people that go to the pet shops what is left behind when the puppy truck pulls out to make deliveries. All they see are the cute little clean puppies. They never see the broken, tired and dirty little bodies that make those puppies possible because they are forced to. They never look into the breeding dog’s face and see the pain and long-suffering.
Izzy stayed with the vet for two weeks. She received all kinds of medicine for her many infections throughout her little body. Imagine how wonderful it must have felt for her eyes not to itch and hurt. Even though it was uncomfortable for a little bit, it soon felt better to walk without the sharp nails grown into her skin. Her mouth began to heal and her appetite picked up. She had her spay surgery and was on her way to better health. Soon Izzy was off to her foster home. When we arrived there, Izzy stood perfectly still in the driveway. She didn’t dare move. She did not understand the open space, the feeling of not being confined. She was afraid of the unknown–freedom. Her little foster host Westie ran around her to welcome her to their home. Izzy just stared straight ahead and shook. Her sweet foster Mom walked over and took her into her arms and welcomed Izzy into a safe world for the first time in her life.
Isabella – WestieMed Recipient
Izzy continues to blossom and heal, both physically and mentally. She patiently waits at her wonderful foster home for the family that will take her into their home and makes her theirs forever.
Thanks to WestieMed, our rescue did not go into the red after taking in these four sweet Westies. We did not have to temporarily shut down our rescue while we paid off our over $3,000.00 debt and then try to start over. Thanks to WestieMed, we are able to continue to move forward with our determination stronger than ever. Bette Heidorn, WestieMed and all the wonderful people there are inspirations to us. It is their heart’s desire to help heal every little Westie that they possibly can. WestieMed makes a difference in countless little Westie lives every single day. The dogs they affect move on through life bringing joy and companionship for many, many people. If Westies could talk, I am sure they would sing the praises of this wonderful organization. I know a little girl named Izzy that would be in the front row of that choir!
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.
