Pododermatitus – WestieMed

August 2007:

Hi-My name is Iris and I want to tell you a story.

It was summer and I was so hot. I had long, matted hair. I didn’t realize that I was actually a white dog. I heard some people that came up to my fence one day say that it made them sad because I was so dirty. The lady said that she wished she could put me in a nice, cool bubble bath, whatever that is. I knew that I was covered in ticks and that my feet hurt so bad I could hardly walk. But I didn’t know that I was dirty. But then I heard her say that we were all dirty. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I knew I was like all my friends that I lived with. We were all dirty! But when I saw the lady get water in her eyes and then grit her teeth like she was upset, I decided that dirty was a bad thing. But she leaned down and told us that we were all beautiful under that dirty hair and most important–we all had a beautiful Westie spirit!

One day she came back and put me and all my friends in her car. She still had water in her eyes, but I also saw something they call determination in her eyes. I soon learned that determination is a good thing! The lady and the man drove us straight to a place called “The Vet”. I heard them talking about the vet being on standby and open late just to see all of us. They seemed concerned about how they, along with some special ladies, were ever going to get the vet paid off. They had to pay to rescue me–whatever that means. I heard them say that the vet was going to give them a rescue discount, but they knew it was still going to cost a lot to get us in healthy Westie shape. They were very happy because the vet lady had a lot of “vet techs” waiting for us to arrive. I soon learned that vet techs like to cut the mats out of Westie hair and also shave them if they must. They were mad at someone though. His name was the breeder. They were mad because he had let me become covered in ticks and have kook-a-burros between the pads of my feet. They said things like “How can you even walk-poor baby?” I guess that is why my feet hurt so badly and I didn’t want to move along when I was told to. After they cut my hair with scissors and shaved a lot of me, they got those nasty ticks off. There were three people at one time trying to help me. I felt so special for the first time ever. But what came next was a little scary. They put me in a big sink and sprayed water all over me and rubbed me. It was all new to me, but I behaved the best I could. I heard them say “now you’re a white dog!” It wasn’t hot in the place they let me rest until my turn with the vet lady. It was cool plus they had soft towels to lie on. One by one they put my friends in the doggie suite with me after baths. I was the last one to go see the special lady called “Dr. Franks”. My buddies gave me good and bad reviews as they returned one at a time after seeing her and her helpers. They all said that she was very nice, gave hugs, and spoke so softly and kind to them, but she also poked them and put things in places they didn’t like. I understood what they meant after my turn. Her voice was the kindest voice I had ever heard. She helped me relax and I did pretty well until she started removing those things from between the pads on my feet. I had been giving all kinds of kisses until then. It hurt so much. I wanted to tell them that I had been hurting for so long, but that I had to walk if I wanted to eat or drink any of the hot water that sat in the sun. They told me that I had severe dental tarter, two kinds of worms, lots of tick bites, and pododermatitis with yeast on all four feet. Dr. Franks wrote on my paper that she thought I seemed older than two and half years. I wanted to tell her that I sure felt older than that! I think she decided it was because no one had ever taken good care of me. She also wrote on my paper that I had a beautiful, soft hair coat. I’m glad everyone can see it now. Her helpers gave me lots of shots including one called rabies. Yikes–it hurt! But only for a moment. They gave me antibiotics and some pasty worm medicine that made my mouth feel yucky. She also sent some to my foster Mom for me to take again in September. Maybe my new Mom will forget. I hope so! She also put special shampoo and some spray stuff in my bag of medicine.

I stayed in the doggie suite for a few days and then the rescue lady came back to take me to a place called foster home. She took one of my friends along also. My foster Mom, Michele, was so kind to us. She loves all animals and has big ones called horses. It was like going to Doggie Club Med. There was a big house with a fenced yard to run in, a fountain with water to splash my sore paws in, a beautiful covered porch with my very own crate on it to rest in whenever I wanted! I worked out an arrangement with a mother duck and her babies. I wouldn’t chase them if they let my buddy and I get in their baby pool filled with water in the back yard. It was great. We learned to share. I will include a photo of the Mommy duck asking me to share it with her babies. I got along great with P-Nut and Jake, two of the dogs that live there all the time.

Then one day, two of the nice rescue ladies came to take me to my furever family. They live in Mississippi. They have a Westie older than me named Sugar Baby. My new name is Lucy. I think it fits me perfectly! I still have to go to the vet for my left paw and take antibiotics. I love hanging out in the kitchen at my new home. I have a doggie door and my own crate that I can go in and out of any time I want. One of my favorite things to do here is follow “Tiny” the cat. Tiny likes me a lot! It’s great! Tiny, Sugar Baby, and I have full run of the house when Mom and Dad are home. My human sister has 2 large dogs and I get along great with them when they visit. Life is wonderful and I am so happy. Thank you WestieMed for helping me get healthy so I could move on to my new life. It was well worth the road I traveled to end up in such a great place. I am so thankful that you love Westies so, so much–cause now I’m a Westie girl with the world on a string!

Love, Lucy

Nashville 7 - WestieMed Recipient — Iris is one of seven Westies rescued from a puppy mill in Nashville, Tennessee.

Update January 2008: Iris now called Lucy

Lucy - WestieMed Recipient — Lucy – WestieMed Recipient

Update March 3, 2010:

Lucy is wonderful, she is loving and spoiled. She sleeps with us every night. She and her sister Lilly are the loves of our lives. Both of these rescue dogs are happy, lovable, and spoiled. They have a big back yard and have a doggie door where they come and go every day. We are so GRATEFUL for them. They make me whole.

Cindy Edwards

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

Dudley - WestieMed Recipient — Dudley – WestieMed Recipient

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

Tag: Pododermatitus

Lucy (Formally Iris)