Considering buying a Westie

CraftyDeb

We have a Westie and have had problems with him from about a week after we had him - he is now 6 but looks very old

The first problem we had was a bone condition called cranio mandibular oesteopathy so he had to spend all his puppy time on painkillers. It is a bone disease and fortunately once they stop growing the pain stops He also has demodex mites which despite treatment have not responded and he is now on antibiotics for life. Demodex mites are caused by a bad immune system as all puppies that are placed with the mum after birth have these mites but they cause no problem it is only when the immune system is dodgy that they take hold. My westie is costing me an absolute fortune as he now got a form of emphysema as well. I cannot claim for the antibiotics as his insurance policy is one year per condition (big mistake I made there).

All this aside he is the most wonderful little dog and I will do all I can to make him happy and comfortable no matter what it costs - I wouldn't let him suffer but at the mo the meds are keeping him going

hethmar

So sorry to hear that Deb.

The lady we meet at the park has the same probs with her 3 year old and he had been on steroids since he was 6 months. I dont know if it will work for you, but I recommended to her that dermacton stuff (see post above) and when I met her recently she rushed up to me to say he was now off the steroids for his skin for the first time. She has a little buggy for his legs. He gets out and walks until he has had enough and then she puts him back in the buggy.

Its worth a go anyway. I use the soap shampoo as I find that easiest for bathing a dog. But there is an ointment and a spray. Its not expensive and they guarantee money back if it doesnt work.

CraftyDeb

Hethmar thanks for that I will have to look into that. We bathe him in Malaseb and we he has to be bathed very frequently which although usually a no no for dogs the vet has advised frequent baths with the Malaseb

rescuedogs

Cairns are similar to Westies but tend not to have the skin problems. I have two fab Cairns Many Tears have two gorgeous Cairn puppies in at the moment called Uber and Utah

jackieglasgow

MY grandmother always had Cairns, gorgeous wee dogs, and they always had lovely nature. Maybe that was down to her though? (Where is that shruggy smiley when you need it?)

hethmar

I like cairns too - though my little rescue border terrier is absolutely the most wonderful dog.

Deb, we used to use malaseb but it didnt help at all. Dermacton has been a god send with our boy. He was bleeding where he was chewing and scratching, now at the very worse he has a quick scratch now and then in very hot weather.

My cousin took on a rescue GSD 6 months back, the dog has been back and forwards to the vet and was having to wear a lampshade to stop him biting himself. The vet said Fox mange, steroids werent helping much either. I eventually persuaded him to try this stuff a few weeks back. He emailed me yesterday saying "cant believe it, the mutt's hair is growing back". So do have a go with the stuff - its guaranteed so you cant lose a penny and its made such a difference to our lives and the dogs!

foreign_correspondent

I bought some dermacton for my dads terrier (based on hethmar's recommendation) and it has really helped him too...

CraftyDeb

Hethmar and FC where did you buy the dermacton from please? I use Pet Meds for prescription meds.

foreign_correspondent

from their own website - I dont think its sold through anywhere else - http://www.aromesse.com/pages/petnat/dermacton.php

We bought the shampoo bar and the spray - I am going to order the shampoo and the cream next time, as the dog doesnt like the cold spray so I have to spray it onto my hands then rub it in anyway!

CraftyDeb

Thanks so much FC