Eye Infections – Page 3

Oz

July 1, 2007January 29, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

July 2007:

Oz’s Rescue Story

Hi. I was a nameless Westie, up until last week. I could hear, but I didn’t respond to names. That’s because no one really talked to me until just recently. Sure, they talked to me at the shelter, where they were nice to me. But they had a lot of dogs to talk to, so I didn’t really answer too much. It’s been a long road for me, and I’m tired. I’m starting to feel better though. Let me start at the beginning.

I think I am four, but I feel a lot older. I was given as a gift to this family, who I think cared about me at some point because I seem to be pretty well housetrained, except for some occasional accidents, and I am neutered. But then they stuck me outside and stopped giving me shots. I got sick, and it got pretty hard to breathe. My heart started to feel funny, and then I didn’t want to run, and play and move around so much anymore. No one talked to me after a while, and I forgot my name. I don’t remember what it is anymore, so don’t ask me. I couldn’t tell you. I used to be a very cute puppy, but now I have bald spots on my skin, and I itch all the time. I look like an ad for the Hair Club for Westies. I had gunk coming out of my eyes, and no one gave me a bath. Eventually, they took me to this shelter in Oxford, MS and they said on the form, “Given as a gift. Didn’t work out.” The person who turned me in didn’t even stick around to fill out the back of the form with my medical information. It didn’t even matter enough for them to stay an extra five minutes. That made me sad. I really didn’t feel well, and the nice people at the shelter could tell that. They told me it was because I had heartworms, bugs in my heart. That’s because I was kept outside. If my first owners had taken care of me, it wouldn’t have happened, but I wasn’t worth the nine cents a day it would have cost them to keep me on the medication. I wasn’t worth nine cents a day to them, but I bet they would have found nine cents to keep bugs from growing in their hearts! The people at the shelter said I was a very nice boy, but I was too tired to cause too much of a fuss, and I didn’t want to get dumped again. I was just grateful to get anything at all. After all, I didn’t feel like I had any value at all.

Not too long after I got left at the shelter, this family with another Westie came to get me from Tennessee. They knew I had bugs in my heart, and they said they promised to get me treatment. They could see how messy I was because the nice people at the shelter had cut my hair to let my skin breathe. They promised to take me to the vet, and see about getting my allergies and bugs treated. I got taken home with my new Westie sibling, and I thought I had it made. I was gonna get to live indoors. I got a new collar, from the people at the shelter, and they even sent me home with a leash and Heartgard tablets, ten of them! I’ve never had so many new things. But it was not to be. A few days later, the people in TN told the people in Oxford “it wasn’t working out.” Their Westie was too hyper for me, and the medication was going to be too expensive, and I might not make it through treatment, so they were going to make the long drive to bring me back. I didn’t even get a bath. They took my new collar and the heartworm medication; I didn’t even get to keep my new things! That made me sad. So the people at the shelter posted my ad on Petfinder. But that same day something great happened – God sent out a call to Alabama, and someone answered it!

This woman named Xenia who loves Westies happened to be looking at Petfinder and saw my ad, and that things “didn’t work out for me” and I was coming home. She picked up the phone and called the shelter, and she called her vet to see what could be done, and then she was on the road in less than an hour. Four hours later, we met. I was a mess, and pretty embarrassed to meet her like that, but right away I could tell that no matter what I looked like, she wouldn’t be the type to go back on her word. She saw through the yuckiness and saw a beautiful Westie inside. Even though I had an eye infection and skin problems, I knew she was gonna get the bugs out of my heart, and get fur back on my body. She told me my name was Oz, and then she said something else I’d never heard before. On the way to this place called Alabama, she kept saying to me, “I love you.” I don’t know what it means, but it makes me feel good to hear it. And you know what? She says it a lot. I hear her say it to the other dogs that live in her house, all the time. I like that. It makes me feel secure like she won’t change her mind about us.

And it makes me feel like I have value. That night, she bought me a pet bed. It was the best! I also got a cow toy and my own room! She said I get to keep them – it was like Christmas!

Sometimes I have accidents in my room, but Xeni never gets upset with me. She never says a word, just gives me hugs and kisses. I think this has something to do with being loved. I’m feeling better, and I think I’m going to stay that way because Xenia’s been telling me about this place called Westie Med, and they love me, too! She says they love me so much they’re paying for me to feel better! She says they think I have value as a Westie, and they want me to have a real chance at life. She says I’m important, and WestieMed thinks so, too. She says I have a friend there, named Bette. I have friends at my vet, too. And guess what? I’m starting to be good looking again, and chubby. But don’t tell. I don’t want Xenia to cut back on the treats. It’ll be our secret.

You know what? I like this thing called love. Please pray for my continued recovery. I want to stick around to get more of it.

Update January 2, 2008:

Oz is doing well at this six-month point. His skin is nice and pink, no longer the irritated red color. The patches of yellow, flaky greasiness have subsided and his fur is growing in nicely. He is now the shaggy Westie I’d hoped he’d become.

When I first got Oz, he could barely walk from his bed to the door to potty. His breathing was so labored that he could not spare his mouth for kisses and felt as if he was being strangled if you tried to kiss his nose. Although my vet hasn’t given him the recheck for heartworms, it’s clear that the treatment must have been a success. Oz has more energy than I’ve ever seen in him. The other day he got away from me and gave me quite a run around the neighborhood, stopping finally not from the fatigue, but from a need to use the bathroom! He still makes a weird grunting noise when he is excited, but two vets at Banfield have now confirmed that he has no heart murmur, as would be expected with a damaging case of heartworm. I fully expect the next HW test to come back negative.

As for the current condition of his health, Oz seems to be prone to UTIs. This is the third one he’s had since I’ve been owned by him. (He came with the first infection, so I am not sure how long he had it or if that is in any way responsible for this propensity) He is on his third round of antibiotics and doing well on this brand. If this one does not do it, then we will x-ray for bladder stones, although there are no crystals present. He is in good hands at Banfield and visits regularly. If I do not bring him in for a few weeks, they call because they miss him. Can you believe that? I’ve never had a vet call and check on a dog just because they were thinking of him! They never call about Lacey or Sammy, but they are all just in LOVE with Oz.

When he goes in, they frequently give him free baths and blow drys. It doesn’t matter if he was brand-spanking clean when I brought him. Once Lacey and he were sharing a crate, and he peed in it (this was the start of this last UTI). Oz got whipped out and given a free bath and returned to me sparkling. They brought Lacey in, all wet and bedraggled, smelling of Oz’s urine. I was like, um??? Is Lacey going to get a bath? They were like, oh do you think she smells?? HELLO! It was funny b/c being wet really rankles Lacey’s delicate Westie sensibilities, whereas Oz could care less. But he’s the clear favorite. (They both got free baths that day, even though I had to ASK for Lacey’s.)

Blessings to you for funding Oz, this special Westie’s, recovery!!!!

Xeni

Update January 18, 2008:

I wanted to give you an Oz update. He has not been well.

I told you we’d been treating the bladder infection for several months, but he has also had one on and off since I got him. I thought it was just an adjustment issue, but this week he started to vomit and have blood in his poopy. I noticed because he peed on the baseboards, so the next night he slept in his crate until Nature’s Miracle had a chance to work. This was hard on both of us. 🙁 Otherwise, he seemed fine that night. But he poopied in his crate, and then when I got up he had finger-paw painted in the poopy. I found blood clots in it. So I took him to the vet, where he proceeded to vomit and free bleed out his bottom! Not a lot, but no Westie owner cares about the amount when blood is coming out!

They said he had a stomach virus, and that he was bleeding due to intestinal distress – stress colitis, but she wanted to see why he was marking, so she did the radiograph…he has a mass in his bladder! I am hoping it is stones, but it did not show up well. She said whatever it is, it’s been there a while because it is quite large. I am thinking his owner knew about this and that was another mitigating factor in him being dumped at the shelter without bothering to fill out his medical info. The good news is that his heart is in GREAT shape and not the least bit enlarged.

He’s going to have an ultrasound next week. Please spread the word and ask his other WestieMed friends to pray for him! He so deserves to be healthy and well. I am beside myself with anger at his former owner. And I feel guilty because I should have caught this earlier, but since I didn’t, he’s been feeling crummy on and off for all this time! 🙁

I will keep you posted about what’s going on with him, when I know more.

Hugs, Xeni and Oz-angel-baby-Westi

Update February 23, 2008:

I just heard from Oz’ vet! There is no longer any mass in his bladder! It is gone! Amen to the power of prayer! So no surgery will be needed and I am so grateful because he has been through so much. All I need to have them do now is the heartworm test to see if he is clear!

Thank you for everything!!! I will keep you posted on his heartworm test, too!

Blessings, Xeni

Update May 27, 2008:

I just wanted to update you: Oz had his comprehensive exam last week. The result: Negative. No heartworms!!!! AND the vet was so impressed with the difference in his skin! She said it looked great.

I am so thrilled. He’s been dancing around the house and peeing excitedly and inappropriately all over the bedroom in response to all the hugs and kisses he’s been getting. I say, bring it on, so long as it means he is healed.

I so love him. Thank you and WestieMed so much for helping me save his life, and especially for making it financially possible.

I don’t know where he’d/we’d be without you!!!

Hugs, Xeni

Jewel

February 1, 2007January 29, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

February 2007:

Hi, Everyone!

My name is Jewel. I’m a ten-year-old Westie who has found Nirvana for Westie World. I don’t remember where I was born or who my parents are, but I do know that I spent a long time in a kennel somewhere in Kansas which my new Dad says is “Toto Land”. He told me that has to do with something called “The Wizard of Oz”. I have no idea what he means, but I do know that my journey here to Mom and Dad was something special. I don’t remember how many puppies I had at that kennel – I was there for lots of years so I know there must have been tons of them!

Anyway, after a long, long time – December 2006 in people time – an angel named Meredith came and got me from where I lived that had no heat, not a lot of shelter from the elements (there were holes in the roof and missing boards in the sides of the building) and very little food or water. It was FREEZING COLD (like one degree) and the wind was strong out of the North. Meredith braved the ice, snow, and wind to come and rescue me and my Westie kennel-mates. The weather was so bad and she was terrified to make the drive, but she also knew I was in a really bad place and may not make it if she didn’t come to get me. I got to ride in a car! I never had before. It was SO WARM inside and Meredith made sure I could rest.

Anyway, I wound up in Oklahoma with some very nice people who took care of me for a little while. I’d been bitten in a fight before Meredith came and I had a bloody leg and bloody ears that no one had taken care of. Both my ears and both my eyes had infections and Meredith said she didn’t know when we all last had baths because we didn’t smell too good and when she bathed us, she said she’d never seen so much dirt come off Westies before. These nice people got my leg healed, got my infections cleared up and trained me to sleep in a crate. They took me to someone called a vet and I had something happen to me to me, which I was told meant that I won’t have to have any more puppies. Woo hoo!

Then, one day, Meredith came and got me and took me to a place (motel) in Tulsa and my second angel appeared. Meredith also had another little Westie with her named Penny, who is now my little sister. I didn’t know it at the time, but that second angel is my now my new Mom. My new Dad says her name is Jackie, but she’s just Mom to me. Anyway, Mom drove Penny and me for almost nine hours to a place called Houston, Texas, which is where I live now. When I got there, I saw a really big Westie. His name is Chivas. He is a very big, handsome, and gentle boy of six years. When I got out of the car with Penny, he sniffed and sniffed and we sniffed and sniffed back. Within minutes, we became big friends and now we’re all family!

My new Mom and Dad took Penny and me to their vet to get us checked out. The vet is a very friendly man who looked me over and over. He told Mom and Dad that three of my mammary glands were overgrown because of tumors he thought were cancerous and that the cancer could possibly have already spread to my lungs and liver. Dad said he thought I just had some big breasts – he didn’t know there was something wrong with me until the vet said so. This terrified Mom and Dad and, of course, I had no idea what was going on. The vet said I needed some tests and some surgery if there wasn’t any cancer in my liver and lungs. Mom talked to Meredith and Meredith said she’d take me back, but Mom said, “Thanks for offering, but we’ll see this through. Jewel is family now and we just can’t give her up – we love her.” My heart did a dance when she said that!

Anyway, the vet did some tests and learned there was no cancer in my liver or lungs, so he did surgery to remove the three tumors. The surgery was rather extensive and reduced my overgrown mammary glands to normal (Dad called it breast reduction surgery). I had to wear an Elizabethan Collar (Dad called it a cone head) for two weeks so I wouldn’t pull out all those stitches – there were so many. I did fine with that collar in spite of trying to run around after Chivas and Penny in the back yard with it on my head when I was supposed to be staying inactive, as Mom called it. And now I’m FULLY recovered and run around and play with Chivas and Penny in our back yard all the time. We chase squirrels and I just LOVE living here!

All of this cost Mom and Dad a pretty penny (not my sister… the coin). They have no regrets, though, and I’m very blessed to be here in my new home. I’ve heard that y’all (that’s a new word I’ve learned now that I live in Texas – people here say it all the time) help people who help Westies like me who’ve been rescued. Mom says y’all were very generous to Dad and her and she is so very appreciative. And I am too – THANK YOU, WestieMed, for helping pay for my surgery!! That surgery has given me some assurance that I can be here with my new family for a good while. As Dad says, “Jewel, this isn’t Kansas anymore,” and I’m SO GLAD!!

Update January 15, 2008:

AS OF TODAY, WE’VE HAD JEWEL FOR A WONDERFUL ONE YEAR, ONE WEEK AND ONE DAY and she has progressed dramatically socially and physically (weight gain, which she needed) and is very much an integral part of our household and a great playmate for Chivas and Penny, her Westie brother and sister.

Medically she had no problems resulting from her mammary tumor removal surgery one year ago and we continue to thank WestieMed for helping us financially with her surgery. We did learn this past October that she has an enlarged heart and is currently on 18.75 mg of Furosemide daily to help alleviate the fluid. We pray she will be with us for a very very long time, as we dearly, dearly love her.

My husband took quite a few pictures over the holidays and I’ll definitely email some to you soonest.

Kind regards and sincere thanks,

Jackie

Miss Bossypants (Hurricane Katrine Survivor)

November 1, 2005February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

November 2005:

Miss Bossypants survived Hurricane Katrina somehow and was brought to the Noah’s Wish Shelter in southern LA as a stray. The area she was found in was devastated…. Noah’s Wish was very concerned as she seemed even more stressed than what thought was usual so they contacted us. Louisiana Westie Rescue was happy to take her in and agreed to foster her for sixty days so her family would have a chance to find her. Her picture is posted on Petfinders and on the LWR website but no one has claimed her.

This little gal really gave her foster mom a run for her money the first couple of weeks! She was determined to escape and did once but not for long thank goodness! She now has a new micro-chip, her foster mom wasted no time getting that taken care of! Miss Bossypants was also quite snappy hence the name but now she has settled down, figured out no one is going to hurt her, and seems content to stay.

As if surviving a hurricane is not enough she has a bony lump on her head and thanks to Westiemed we will soon know if it is something serious or not! The vet wants to take some x-rays and do a biopsy to rule out anything that may need to be treated. Miss Bossypants is in a loving environment and I have a feeling her foster mom has fallen for her….. We of course hope her family does come forward and will leave her contact information on Petfinders for at least ninety days.

Thank you Westiemed and all those that contribute so these little ones can receive the care they need and deserve!

Laura Ardoin Louisiana Westie Rescue

Update: June 2006:

Miss Bossypants is getting better and better. When she first came to live with us if we did anything she didn’t approve of (like pick her up when SHE didn’t want to be..or put her down from the couch when SHE wasn’t ready), she’d bite us. Now I can actually see her restrain herself when she gets mad at us. She is still the boss around here. She keeps our four terriers in line at all times. It’s so funny because she’s the smallest. She’s become more and more affectionate and loves a good scratch/rub/hug. Her eye is still not blinking, so I’m putting a lubricant ointment in it several times a day, and at night, I put an antibiotic ointment in her eye. Since the operation, the eye is nonstop watering. I took her to two vets just to check it out and they tested the secretion and made sure the sinus cavity between the tear duct and nostril was ok, and they both say everything’s ok and it’s just a matter of her not blinking.

I so wish she could talk and tell us what she went through. She does NOT like to admit it, but I do think she’s a bit fearful of thunderstorms…who knows how she spent her time during the hurricane. The neighborhood where she was picked up was heavily damaged.

Thank you SOOO much for your help. I AM very grateful for your help. Life just isn’t the same around the Big Easy anymore…I don’t think it ever will be.

Marian

Update: February 2007:

Miss Bossypants crossed the bridge Tuesday night (January 30, 2007). Her kidney’s failed and despite the aggressive treatment, she had to leave her mom. Miss Bossy pants was very special and deeply loved. Thanks to WestieMed, Miss Bossypants was able to know that love for many months after being rescued.

Laura :***(

Mac

October 1, 2005February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

October 2005:

Mac first came into our rescue network in January 2000 as a five-year-old owner- surrendered Westie. The family had adopted him in 1999 from the local shelter where he had been dumped by a former family due to snapping at a child who withheld a treat. The second family had him for a year, during which Mac developed aggression toward the husband, and also some allergy issues. That family surrendered him to me in January 2000. Mac settled in with me and my other rescues.

In Feb. 2000 I was contacted by a retired woman who was ready to adopt again after losing her previous westie in 1999 due to old age. She was given Mac’s history and was willing to give him a try, since she was a widow with only an adult son who came by infrequently. She felt she could deal with Mac’s allergies since her former Westie also had allergies.

Over the ensuing years, Mac continued to have allergies, especially ear infections, one right after another, which his loving adopter treated as best she could with the country doctors she had access to. Mac was even taken to Texas A & M for ear scoping and underwent two major surgeries to clear out the ear canal of infections and blockages during 2004.

But the problems have persisted, although only in one ear. The last surgery was abruptly ended when the vet encountered a “bleeder” and could not get beyond the blockage. It was recommended that Mac undergo a complete ear canal ablation, which meant removing the ear canal, and the tympanic membrane, and closing the ear completely so no further contamination or buildup of fluid would occur. The cost of the proposed surgery was far more than Mac’s adopter felt she could handle, so she contacted Westie Rescue/Austin and surrendered Mac back into our rescue program.

Mac is otherwise a healthy, affectionate 10-year-old Westie gentleman. While in the care of his surrendering owner, he got over his fear of men and became a curious, outgoing Westie again. Mac gets along great with the other rescues we currently are sheltering, although I can tell he misses his “Mommy” as he looks at the door she departed from.

On 10/21/2005, Mac’s ablation surgery was performed, and he is recovering nicely. He looks a bit funny with his one side all shaved, but hey, he’s cool with it! He did not like the E-collar but stoically endured it while his ear recovered. Mac and I are grateful to WestieMed for their assistance. The surgery did cost quite a bit, more than we normally can handle with our rescued Westies, but WestieMed came through to help this loving and affectionate Westie, who has been through a lot of changes over his life. He is now ready to settle down once and for all times in a final, loving home of his own.

Thank you so very much, Barbara Ott Westie Rescue/Austin, TX

Alex

July 1, 2003January 7, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

July 2003:

My Little Old Man

I met Alex one day driving down the road. I stopped at a stop sign and as I looked to my right this skinny virtually hairless dog caught my eye. He had a collar and was walking rather slowly. I stopped my car hoping to help the little guy home. As I approached this poor little dog I noticed he had no tags. He couldn’t hear too well because he was older and had severe ear infections. His eyes were infected, his nails were about and an inch long and he smelled really bad. I felt so bad for him how could anyone neglect this innocent creature. I brought him to a couple of animal hospitals in the area to see maybe if they knew him. They did not. I was also told by my vet he was anywhere between ten to fifteen years old. I was than asked if I wanted to keep him I should run a battery of test. My heart sank. I knew I could not take him home. I already had two Wheaten Terriers, Jake and Bailey, a nine-month-old baby and my cocker spaniel, Joshua passed away one year ago. I knew where I had to go next, the dreaded animal shelter. I couldnt bear to see him go. I cried and cried. This nice woman who ran the shelter saw I was upset. She told me she knew someone who could help place “Alex” in a home. I felted a sense of relief because I knew he would not be adopted from the shelter because of how he looked, smelt and his age. This woman called this angel and she said she would pick her up. I left my number for this kind individual and asked if she would call me so I could find out Alexs future (In the meantime I hung lost posters in the three surrounding towns where I lived to see if I could find the owner. Of course nobody called. I thought that was probably the best thing since they neglected this poor little animal).

A few days later I received a call from Karen and she said she had someone to adopt him. I felt good but, at the same time sad because I had developed a bond with the little guy. I told Karen if anything fell through to please call me and I would try and take him but the chances were slim. Well Karen called back and told me the woman could not adopt Alex. She told me she was going to have to bring him back to the shelter at the end of the week and have him destroyed. She couldnt keep him she already had too many animals.

I WOULD NOT let this poor dog be destroyed. I knew I had many medical bills ahead of me. Alex was put on eye drops for his eye infection, Baytril for his respiratory infection (he had massive amounts of mucous draining from his nose and eyes. He had so much mucous that one of his nostrils was closed shut many days), steroids, ear drops, antihistamine and ketoconazole. He was diagnosed with Malassezia along with a host of other problems.

I have had Alex now for about one month and he has turned around so much. He has become a member of my family. At first because he apparently was sleeping in the streets where he was always disturbed he probably never had a good sleep. Whenever he would sleep he would jump, startled if approached. Now he sleeps like a baby. He initially could barely walk. He still has some problems but he runs and plays with his toys and has a great appetite. He no longer has mucous discharge. He is very sweet dog everyone loves him.

I wanted to extend my thanks to Westie Med for helping with Alex’s medical bills. I am sure Alex appreciates it as well. I am glad I was able to help my little old man. Thank you again.

Sincerely, Connie P. Blue Point, NY

Alex has a skin condition called Malassezia (yeast infection of the skin). This condition is becoming more and more prevalent among Westies. Westie Rescuers are seeing cases of this all over the country. This condition is very treatable…if treated properly. To help other Westie owners, we are making information about this condition available on our web site. You can read about it here: Malassezia.

Casey

January 1, 2003January 10, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

January 2003:

Terese from Missouri.

Casey was purchased as a pup in St. Louis, MO.

A mother with a sick ten-year-old daughter thought a puppy might help her daughter get well faster. As the daughter got better, the mother realized that she really didn’t want a dog in her house, and also thought that some of the family may be allergic to Casey, so she moved him outside permanently.

Casey learned to play with a soccer ball, and empty two-liter bottles in the back yard all by himself. When he was bored, he would grind his teeth on the lava rocks in the garden until his canines were all completely flat. This continued in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter for the next 6 years. In that time, Casey developed problems with his eyes, ears, and skin from being exposed to such severe weather, and from having very little attention paid to him by anyone. He was rarely groomed, and no one seemed to have the time for him.

One day, a very muddy and matted Westie came into the kennel/day camp, where I worked, to be groomed. It was Casey. I never saw him or his owner, but she had decided that they were not able to take care of him anymore and left a yellow stickie on the bulletin board. “Free six-year-old Westie, owner allergic.”

I went home with the note that day and my husband and I took a ride to the house. The owner came out of the house and said that the dog was kept in the back yard and that she could not come with us, as if she went near him, she would have to shower again. We opened the gate and the friendliest, biggest Westie we ever saw came running up and wanted us to play with him so very badly. The woman told us his name was Casey and we had to discuss him through the kitchen screen window. I told her that Casey had a sore above his eye and she said she couldn’t touch him, so I asked for some peroxide and some cortisone cream. I fixed him up and then started to take a good hard look at him. We were both shocked at the black elephant skin on his belly and his nose, and the inside of his ears was black and smelled terrible. When we looked into Casey’s beautiful golden eyes, we saw green goop and could tell his eyes weren’t as clear as they should be. It was just so awful to see such a sweet and loving dog in such terrible condition. We just looked at each other and knew we would take him with us immediately. We asked if we could take him overnight to see if he would get along with our Cairn and our Poodle-mix puppy. They fell in love when we brought him home, as we already had. The next day we took him to the vet and knew it would take lots of love, time, and money for the next few months to get Casey into good shape.

For months, we had to put steroid drops in his eyes, use several medications for his skin condition called Malasszia, and clean and apply medicine to his ears. As the months passed by, and we were the happiest of families, Casey began to throw up in the middle of the night. Then he got diarrhea. We noticed a tiny seizure one morning and brought him in for blood tests. We knew something was terribly wrong but hoped for the best. Casey’s albumin level in his blood was a 1.9 when it should have been a 2.4, and we were told to change his diet immediately and to watch him carefully because his poor body could just shut down at any time. He was most likely suffering from something called PLE or protein-losing enteropathy. He was put on steroids and anti-diarrhea medication in an attempt to get some of his symptoms to lessen, or go away. I actually started to make his food, since this disease can be caused by a food allergy. To confirm the diagnosis, Casey would have to have a stomach lining biopsy and internal organ x-ray, which were very costly, and we knew we couldn’t afford them.

I started looking on the Internet for help, and through WestieRescueMO we found the wonderful people at WestieMed. Casey goes in tomorrow for a follow-up blood test, and we will be talking to the Dr. about the biopsy and x-ray, now that WestieMed is there to help us with the bill. All we can say is thank you, thank you, thank you … and God bless the fine and generous people at WestieMed who care so very much! We would also like to thank the people of WestieResueMO for all of their caring and support. Casey had to learn how to sleep through the night and to sleep with us and not in a pet taxi, and he had to learn to play with us and not just by himself. He is Mama’s lapdog now too! We just love the little fella and are glad he was put in our path.

Terese and Steven Ward and Casey, Rocky and Tugger

Casey has a skin condition called Malassezia (yeast infection of the skin). This condition is becoming more and more prevalent among Westies. Westie Rescuers are seeing cases of this all over the country. This condition is very treatable…if treated properly. To help other Westie owners, we are making information about this condition available on our web site. You can read about it here: https://westiemed.org/malassezia

Minnie

November 1, 2002December 30, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

November 2002:

I received a call from the Westport, SPCA about a Westie/mix they had in their shelter and they wanted to know if we had any room for her. Minnie was brought in by the dog control officers from someone’s farm. It appeared that someone dumped her on their farm and drove off. The officer had to carry Minnie in as she was unable to even stand up. Her nails were so long they curled under and we’re into the soft pads of her feet, she had no hair and open sores on her body. Both eyes were infected as were her ears.

The Westport, SPCA did an awesome job with Minnie and tried hard to find her a home as they dealt with her ever-mounting medical problems. When Kerry called me they had had Minnie for two months and felt if a home could not be found for her she would be euthanized soon.

My husband and I headed out to the shelter days later to see Minnie. Doing rescue for a few years we thought we had seen it all, but when we saw Minnie, she raised the bar for us of what we thought was shocking. We both spent time with Minnie and Kerry and talked a lot about the care and long-term prognosis – but I think we all knew we were going to take her home and get her some help.

Soon we were heading out for the long trip home and Minnie laid on the seat being a perfect angel except for constant scratching (and, well. causing our eyes to water from the smell). As soon as our feet hit the front door, Minnie was in the tub. She sat perfectly still for the whole 10 minutes the shampoo had to work while I massaged her poor skin and tried to assure her that we would get her back to health. We set her up in the kitchen away from the other pets in case she could possibly pass something to them, and she laid down and slept for four hours.

Her first vet visit turned into an overnight stay. The number of things she needed checked and done just couldn’t fit into a visit, so I reluctantly left her in their care and headed home alone. I must have called them four times checking on her and while they were not optimistic at all, by the next day the vet was as anxious as we were to get Minnie back to health. They saw in her what we did – the sweet pup with a sparkle in her eyes that even her extreme health couldn’t diminish. We headed home with shampoos, medications, creams, and sprays and fell into a schedule by the end of the weekend.

She now receives one bath a day in alternating shampoos and sometimes a second bath a day in oatmeal shampoo if she’s having an itchy day. She is on antibiotics, medication for the Malassezia, eye drops four times a day, and an antibiotic for the eyes twice a day. Her ears were infected so she also has cleanings and antibiotics twice a day for that. She loves her oatmeal spray and Gold Bond powder which not only helps her itching but she looks white and smells so much better. We have noticed for the first time yesterday that the odor is better and her eyes are clear of infection.

When we take her somewhere, she does draw a lot of angry looks from folks, and I know the anger is directed at me thinking we did this to her. But once we explain, they are on the floor on all fours talking and petting her and telling her what a sweet girl she is. She eats it up.

We are heading into our second week with Minne. Her ears no longer have an odor and she is running around the kitchen now and playing for the first time. She is very shy around strangers still but she lays in my lap and seems happy to just have a family. She does not shrink away when we touch her now and she has even barked a few times and wagged her tail for the first time yesterday.

WestieMed, thank you so much for the help you have given us – not just for vet bills, but for emotional support and also great insight and information. Minnie is slowly showing us the sweet little dog that has been hidden and it’s because of your help that this is possible.

Mary Adams West Highland Rescue of NY

Minnie has a skin condition called Malassezia (yeast infection of the skin). This condition is becoming more and more prevalent among Westies. Westie Rescuers are seeing cases of this all over the country. This condition is very treatable…if treated properly. To help other Westie owners, we are making information about this condition available on our web site. You can read about it here: https://westiemed.org/malassezia

Rags

September 1, 2002December 30, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

September 2002:

RAGS TO RICHES

About 10 a.m. one Tuesday earlier in August, I received a call from the concerned owner that they had heard I rescued and helped small dogs. As I have helped in the rescue and placement of Cairn Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and some mix-breed puppies, I indicated I can sometimes help. What did they need?

Rags story begins when her well-intending owners of eleven years were moving and the main caregiver was returning to full-time employment. They decided to put her in the newspaper for free considering people would not be interested in buying an older dog. They did find someone interested and just let them pick the dog up and felt all was well.

For the original owner, all was well until about two weeks later someone called saying they had found their dog, locating them by an old tag left on Rags’ collar. Rags had apparently walked in their back door as they opened it to go out one evening. She was so filthy they did not know she was even a Westie. They bathed, defeated, and treated her ears thinking something had chewed on them as they looked infected with sores. Three days later the original owner picked her up and that is when they called me. They were afraid to try to place her again and did not have the time for her. They also mentioned sending Rags to animal control if I could not help.

So not being one to say no, I picked up the sweetest, confused, pretty little white dog I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and saw she needed immediate vet care for her ears. They had her groomed but had not had her to the vet. I and several others who heard of her plight could not understand how someone could give up such a beautiful little dog after owning her all her life.

After searching on the internet for what seems like hours, I found the representative for WHWTCA Westie Rescue. I told her I would gladly foster Rags and needed her help with placement for Rags, but also had very limited personal funds for veterinarian costs. My funds go very quickly having nine Cairn Terriers, most with special needs, two with seizures, three with severe skin allergies, one has had surgery to remove hip joint, etc., (who by the way have all been getting along wonderfully with Rags, she is so sweet). She immediately told me to look up WestieMed.com and see if they could help. Thank goodness there is such a group.

Rags first visit to the vet indicated she was heartworm free but had a severe ear infection in her right ear, also eye and skin irritations. The vet could not believe how strong and spirited she is for her age. She would need drops twice a day, plus daily and bi-weekly cleaning of both ears for blockages, as her hearing was impaired, and oral antibiotics for up to three months. As I had also noticed excessive drinking and piddling, which the original owner said she had never noticed. Rags also needed blood work which indicated no diabetes, thyroid problems, or other causes. So more and expensive blood testing has been done for the possibility of Cushing’s Disease. Without WestieMed I would have had difficulty finding she has early stages of an unpleasant but thank goodness a treatable problem. She will need medication for the remainder of her life, but it can be a good life.

And even though I have fallen in love with her, I know she can be placed in a new home with people who can really care for her no matter what.

Thank you again Robin Bateman and mostly RAGS

Update December 2002:

Rags are in a new long-term foster home with Sharon and Michael and is doing well. She’s a sweet, though quite an overweight girlie!

On behalf of Rags, WestieMed would like to thank Robin for fostering her for so long and taking such good care of her while a new foster home was being sought.

Dudley

March 1, 2002January 7, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

April 2002:

Dudley was found in an alley. He was deaf and blind and obviously in pain. Despite his condition, he was completely docile and was taken directly to the Emergency Vet.

Dudley’s eyes were covered with blackened, stiff, infection-caked fur. At first, we thought his eyes had been gouged out. His ears were entirely filled with something that had hardened; it felt as if he had a big thick cigar in each ear. The emergency vet said that apparently, he had been standing in his urine in a cage for some time because his paws were stained yellow. His coat and skin smelled awful and his skin was full of scabs. After about two hours at the vet, they washed him and shaved and cleaned his face and ears, and dispensed one mg of Azium and 100 mg Polyflux, Clavamox 125 mg. for fourteen days, Panalog ointment fifteen ml, Triple antibiotic OO. We were told that one of the technicians was so disheartened at seeing his condition, she cried.

A couple of days later, we took him to our vet where they kept him for observation for the day. He has cataracts and his eyes still discharge gunk. Our vet told us he has a heart murmur and that we need to take him to a cardiologist. She said he also needs an ophthalmologic workup and a dermatological consult. A few days later, we brought him in for a follow-up check-up and he seemed to be progressing. A few days following that, he started limping, refusing to step on his left front paw. The vet dispensed Synotic w/Linc/Banamin and Baytril 68 mg. He’s now walking better, but his paw is still swollen.

Dudley’s recommended course of treatment is a cardiac workup due to heart murmur; ophthalmic workup due to eye discharge, cornea problems, and blindness; and dermatology consult due to pododermatitis, seborrheaoleosa, alopecia. allergies.

Update – May 2002:

Please accept and extend to the board of WestieMed, our heartfelt gratitude for the financial aid that made Dudley’s medical rehabilitation possible. I honestly don’t know what we would have done with this little stray Westie, had you not been there for him and us.

Each day Dudley gets better and better… and feistier. This past Sunday, he made his debut at a neighborhood sixty-family garage sale. He was quite the celebrity as he amazed neighbors who had seen him on that fateful day when he landed in our alley. They were astounded at how much healthier he appeared. When garage sale customers inquired if Dudley was available, they were told in no uncertain terms that they could take husband Tom, but never Dudley!

While Dudley continues to need work on his ears, eyes, paws, allergies, and teeth, we’re thrilled with the progress he has made. His Westie spirit and determination are inspirational.

We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and compassion.

Gratefully, Dudley, Tom and Linda Leahy

Update – June 2002:

Just wanted to send a new “after” picture of Dudley to show the improvement from his “before” picture taken in March. Again, thank you and WestieMed for all your amazing help.

Linda

Update – October 2002:

Dudley has definitely settled in with us and has managed to successfully train both Tom and me.

We cannot thank all of you enough at WestieMed for your financial and emotional support in helping Dudley move forward. I don’t know what we would have done had you not been there for him.

On the health front, Dudley’s eyes are coming along. We administer three meds three times a day. His ears are not faring as well in that the cartilage continues to harden. We’re hoping that he won’t need to undergo surgery, but it looks likely. We’ll learn the verdict this Saturday from his dermatologist Dr. Karen Kuhl.

On the behavioral front, we went through a period when if Dudley was sitting on the bed or sofa with Linda, and Tom would enter the room he would snarl and lunge at Tom. This protective (or so we guessed) behavior made us think he might have spent time in bed with a sick or dying person prior to his abandonment. When we realize how little he can see and hear, it’s amazing he doesn’t snarl more to changes in his environment. The good news is that he no longer snarls at Tom.

Our only challenge is his bladder control. He can’t seem to go for any length of time without urinating. During the day, we manage to get him out frequently. At night it’s a different story. We would really appreciate any advice you might be able too offer. We take him out between 11.00 and 11:30 p.m. and then he happily saunters into his crate next to our bed. He awakens at 4:00 a.m. and howls non-stop to go out. This incites our other dog Baka who is crated on the other side of our bed. They then make it a ceaseless doggy duet. If we don’t crate Dudley at night, we have several accidents. Any suggestions?

Please know how much we treasure all that you’ve done to help us.

Gratefully, Tom and Linda Leahy Dudley’s Devoted Humans

Update – March 2003:

It is approaching a year since Dudley came into our lives. We will celebrate his arrival–aka birthday–on March 17. Thanks to WestieMed, he is healthy and thriving.

Although his eyes and ears still operate at about 50%, he has learned to sit and stay. His vocabulary includes “dinner,” “go get Daddy,” “let’s go out,” “it’s time for bed,” and “do you want to go for a walk?”

Once again, we can’t thank you enough at WestieMed for helping Dudley and us.

All our best, Linda and Tom Leahy Dudley and Baka

Angus (Formely Buddy)

June 1, 2001December 29, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

On the morning of May 5, 2001, I got a call from the director of the Islip Town Animal Shelter saying they had a Westie they thought I should take a look at. He was picked up as a stray and they thought he might be around five years old. I was told he was in pretty bad shape but I was not prepared for what awaited me. When they brought him to me in the director’s office my first thought was that this dog had been set on fire. His skin was blackened with raw, red patches, sores oozing yellow and fur falling off in clumps. His eyes were two pools of yellow pus and his ears were so infected and swollen they were closed, causing him to be deaf. He was extremely thin and weak. Not able to lift his head he would rest his nose on the floor. I did not think this dog could be saved. Then he slowly, painfully walked to me and wagged his tail ever so slightly. I scooped him up and brought him to my vet.

Dr. Pollack worked on Buddy for two hours, cleaning eyes, ears and taking tests. Buddy was found to have severe Malassezia which developed into a fungus. The infection in his eyes was due to dry eye and his deafness because of a raging yeast infection. The test showed Buddy’s white blood count was dangerously high and his blood proteins were very low. He weighed in at just fourteen pounds and couldn’t keep any food down. We were in a fight for Buddy’s life.

That first day I was sent home with Optimmune Cyclosporine ointment, Triple Antibiotic HC ointment, Synotic, Maleseb shampoo, Keflex, Atarax, and Ketoconazole. Buddy needed to be bathed daily and have his eyes and ears flushed. He was fed small amounts of food until he could eat without vomiting and then we just let him eat as much as he could hold. The vet said puppy food would be best as it was higher in calories and Buddy needed to gain weight.

Dr. Pollack saw Buddy approximately every ten days to do a complete blood workup. In the first two weeks he didn’t gain any weight and his blood count was worse. Then gradually Buddy began to respond to treatment. His eyes cleared up and his ears started to open. He was gaining weight and his hearing was slowly returning. His skin wasn’t so raw and had started to heal. But his blood work continued to worry us. Dr. Pollack ordered some x-rays and found his liver was slightly enlarged but everything looked okay.

We continued to give Buddy his daily baths and medication. He started to act more like a Westie, bouncing around the yard, barking at rabbits and investigating everything he could get his nose into. The next round of tests gave us good news. Buddy’s blood work finally came back normal. He was up to nineteen pounds and the fungus was nearly all gone.

On June 25, 2001, Dr. Pollack gave us the go-ahead to have Buddy neutered. His appointment is set for June 30. Once he is recovered from surgery, Buddy will be going to the forever home that has been patiently waiting for him.

Thank you WestieMed for your assistance with Buddy’s enormous medical bills!

Renee Savaria New York Westie Rescue

Update August 2001

Angus has been bathed twice this week. he gets his pills in a ball of liverwurst and loves it. He is a good eater and also likes the dog biscuit treats we got for him. He takes turns following Gene and me around the house. He sits in my gym and watches us work out every day and runs right over to be petted, whenever either of us stops to rest for a few seconds.

It is hard to believe that he has been with us for just one week today, for he has become a full-time member of our family, sitting on the couch with us or lying in bed with us and getting scratched or petted constantly. He does not kiss us yet, but we make up for it by kissing him. He is happy and full of life, wagging his tail at lightning speed, playing with the tennis balls that I bought him. He immediately decided that if we roll them to him he can roll them back with his nose, paw or mouth. If he uses his mouth, he does it by clicking his teeth together and it can be heard throughout the adult community we live in. Our grandchildren adore him and the youngest, Jacqueline, informed everyone that he is happy because “he loves her so much.”

We have told the folks in the village about his background and he is now pointed out and viewed as a hero, which, indeed he is, cheerfully coming through his horrendous past. He was truly blessed by Westie Rescue and his “nurse” Renee Savaria and my wife and me are now blessed with Angus. His new name hasn’t caught on with him yet, but I told him, this morning, that he and I share our Celtic heritage and that is why God gave him to us. Thank you all for filling our home with happiness.

Ed and Gene McGrath

Update July 2002

Angus is healthy and extraordinarily happy, since the entire adult community where we live, Sunrise Village, love him, as well as our children and grandchildren. The grandchildren are more thrilled that Angus is coming to visit, than the fact that we are arriving at the same time. Our children have gotten dishes and food for him, at their homes. When we take him into the town of Sayville with us, he is surrounded by children and adults alike. It is difficult to get through the town with his fan club. When he meets new folks, we always tell them about Westie Rescue on line. However, his skin condition is constantly lurking in the background and will flare up at any moment. What surprises us is that it gets almost out of control within a few days, despite bathing, apple vinegar dips, and medication. We started to take him to our original veterinary but felt that they didn’t understand the urgency or severity of his allergies and so, we have returned to the Sayville vet. Everyone who has treated him there has been very caring and seem to be more knowledgeable about his condition. He is diagnosed with a dual problem. The first is the skin allergies to his environment, grass, etc., which we treat, along with his eyes and ears, on a daily basis. They feel we must get this controlled and then attack the virus, which they refer to as “elephant skin” or areas of dark, thick skin. We hope to get it all under control by the Fall. We love him and it is evident that he loves us and has made himself at home. By the way, he is incredibly well housebroken. He is just a good guy. Many thanks to you folks. By the way, he weighs 23 pounds and may have to lose a pound, to regain his svelte shape.

Ed & Gene