Text Box: My Westie, Hannah, started having allergy problems when she was about 2 years old – mainly an itchy face and eyes and periodic skin infections (bacterial).  I took her to an animal dermatologist at the recommendation of my regular veterinarian after it became apparent that the skin infections were becoming chronic. The dermatologist conducted skin tests and determined that Hannah was allergic to many things – trees, fleas, dust mites, molds, and even people! He suggested allergy shots, which worked very well until Hannah was 7 years old.  That was a bad year for Hannah because her older Westie sister (Katie), who Hannah adored, became terminally ill and died.  Hannah’s allergies quickly became worse and the skin infections were back, which the dermatologist and I suspected were probably a result of the stress related to Katie’s death.  New skin tests were run and new allergy shots were started but it made little difference.  Hannah’s muzzle and eyes were a mess and she got a very bad ear infection.  In addition to bacterial infections, she now had a fungal infection.  This required giving her antibiotics, fungal medication, cleaning her ears every few days, and bathing her one to two times per week.  Whenever we left the house, we had to put a buster collar on Hannah because she would rub her face and eyes raw because of the itchiness. I work at home so that did not occur often.  However, I felt horrible every time I left her. Things did get better but Hannah would developed skin problems as soon as she stopped the medications so for almost two years I was constantly giving her medications, bathing her, and cleaning her ears.  At the end of that time the dermatologist had one last suggestion – give her cortisone.  This was an option that I had avoided because of the long-term health risks associated with cortisone.  However, it seemed like the only choice left.  It was not long after starting Hannah on cortisone that she started having behavior problems (aggression toward my younger Westie), which appears to have been related to the drug.  At that point, I decided I needed to do something different because Hannah still had skin and ear infections and now she was becoming aggressive!  Someone had told me about a veterinarian who was practicing eastern and western veterinary medicine with very good results.  I was skeptical but contacted her and made an appointment, which turned out to be the best decision I ever made for Hannah.  She recommended putting Hannah on a home cooked diet that was made up of a variety of meats/fish and vegetables only (no grains) and various supplements including herbs. Typically, she is on a cooked meat or fish for about three weeks and then I switch her to another protein source.  Shortly after starting Hannah on the new diet she started becoming less itchy.  After six months on the new diet, Hannah only requires a bath every two to three weeks and periodic ear cleaning.  She no longer has a fungal infection.  The bacterial infections have also cleared up.  In addition, no more buster collar. Hannah also lost some weight, which was difficult to accomplish even when feeding her small portions of dog food.  Feeding a home cooked diet with supplements is definitely more expensive than regular dog food but it is worth it when you get a healthy Westie in return!  

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The Purpose of a Dog - from a 4 yr. old
How true...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four- year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care

 

Page 6---Winter 2007

BACK Text Box: The Purpose of a Dog - from a 4 yr. old How true... Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four- year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care Page 6---Winter 2007 BACK