My Westie (Pearl) was tested for allergies and the report from the vet indicated she was allergic to just about everything. The scoring key was classed from 151 to 199 as borderline and 200 to 400 as positive test. High score was Cats @ 275! Then brown rice and sweet potato @ 216, venison 193, duck 187, lamb 176, and beef at 169. The list goes on, but I was wondering about the Westie Diet and if you think it will work with chicken rather than hamburger. I have put her on a mix of Neura Meats 95% canned Chicken and Holistic Solid Gold Blendz dry, then I add a supplement of Biotin and VitaCaps (omega 3 vitamins). This seems to have cured a majority of the itches and small patches of scaly skin (1yr on this food), however, she is still prone to vomit dark yellow bile occasionally and her ears still itch (even though we keep them clean). Any more thoughts? Is it normal for Westies to vomit on occasion? She gets Greenies and Old Mother Hubbard peanut butter cookies (which are below borderline on the allergy score). Thanks
28 January 2006
Webmaster comments
Hello Karen;
Because this is a 'guest log' specific medical conditions particular to your own Westie can not be adequately addressed here.
We will be contacting you personally with suggestions which should help.
Susan Reeves Director Westie Rescue of CA
Kay Brandrick
Thank you for the westie diet my dog is suffering so much with itchy skin after going to the vets for 2 years ,looking forward to the next four weeks.
15 January 2006
Webmaster comments
Hi Kay;
Thank you for your kind words. We are not stating you should use the Westie Diet in lieu of appropriate Veterinarian care for your dog. We simply are giving owners another wonderful tool to use to control possible skin issues.
Please let us hear from you, we care deeply about the welfare of our little four legged companions.
Sending the best your way...smooches for the pooches!
Susan
Nancy
Thank you for providing such great information to Westie owners and future Westie owners. I have enjoyed your site tremendously, and have learned so much from you. I have two beautiful little westies: a 14 month old male and a 6 month old female. My male has been scratching lately and biting at his feet, and although he is not pulling his fur out, he is obviously uncomfortable. Also, he has had several ear infections. Both dogs are eating Nutro lamb and rice, so I thought that the change to the Westie Diet should be an easy one. I am very excited to give it a try, and have already ordered the suppliments. The vet recommended benydril for the itching, but I haven't noticed any significant improvement. My question is whether I can also feed the Westie Diet to my 6 month old puppy, and if so, would the recipe be the same? I have read that most allergies do not begin until after a dog reaches 6 months of age, so I thought that I could prevent problems before they occur. I would really appreciate your input. Thanks so much for all that you do for our wonderful breed.
13 January 2006
Webmaster comments
Hello Nancy;
Thank you for your kind words. We will have to speak in general terms, not seeing specifically your two Westies.
Allergies in Westies USUALLY are not noticed until the dog is 15-18 months old. At that time the immunization from the Mother's milk have worn away and the dog's own immune system should be up and running....per se. You should NOT see licking at 6 months. Here are some thoughts; one if the fur/hair between the pads of the feet is long that traps moisture, thus licking results from perspiration and constantly wet fur/hair. Make sure your groomer clips between the toes and keeps the pads clear of fur/hair. Bathing and grooming is a must for doggies, so make sure a regular grooming routine is followed....6-8 weeks. Wet grass or dew also effects their feet. Try to dry off the feet when they come in from outside with a towel. At night after their 'last and final outside' human foot powder for Athletics feet might help diminish the possible itching (they also don't like the taste and are less likely to lick). Use that at night, work it between their pad and toes, so they are not itching after walking on wet grass with this application.
If you have more specific questions please email our main email address for further questions. We will be happy to answer you directly.
Thank you again for loving our breed so much.
Susan
Heather Keane
I purchased a little Westie girl from a pet store in Massachusetts. Her name is Fiona. She is the best dog in the entire world. She was "rescued" from a pet store after being it in for months. She was close to 9 months old when we adopted her. She loves my girls. One of the best dogs you could ever choose from. If you are looking for a family dog who has a lot of love to give, thats the one!
3 January 2006
Webmaster comments
Hi Heather;
Thanks for your post. Sending hugs and wags your way.
Susan
jennifer o'connor
Hello, My I have two westies, lucy (10 months)and lucky (2.5 yrs.). I have a question for each dog. Lucky: I worry about Lucky b/c he is 27 pounds. He has had numerous health problems including CMO disease. Recently, we noticed a brown lump on his nose. COuld this be an effect of CMO even though it is 2 yrs later? THe vet doesn't want to do a biopsy unless it grows. But we are worried. What do you think/suggest? Also - any suggestions for keeping his weight down? Does a westie diet help weight problems?
Lucy: Lucy still wets/poops in the house sometimes. My trainer says I should put her back in her crate - but I hate to do it b/c she cries. Plus she goes the bathroom in the crate and it gets all over her. Do you have any suggestions? She is 10 months so I've been hoping that she would outgrow this problem, but hasn't.
Thanks so much, Jennifer
28 December 2005
Webmaster comments
Hello Jennifer;
Thank you for your post. Will attempt to answer your questions.
LUCKY: CMO (Craniomandibular Osteopathyw) does NOT manifest itself as a brown lump on the exterior of the skin. We would suggest you follow your Veterinarian's recommendation and watch the lump closely. If any change in size, shape, darkness or your dog itches/scratches the area take him immediately back to the Veterinarian. Naturally, Lucky should be neutered and never bred. You must notify the breeder of Lucky that he was affected with CMO and strongly suggest that his parents never again be bred. The breeder should notify all the offspring/siblings of these parents and matings.
Weight reduction, as in humans too, can be accomplished by two things; one less calories and that includes treats and two more excersise. You might want to switch (slowly) kibble to one with more fiber content, but less calories. We would suggest Senior Nutro Lamb and Rice, that along with supervised consistant and regular monitored exercise daily should help reduce pounds.
LUCY: You should follow your professional trainer's, whom you hired, expert advise. The trainer's recommenation to go back to crate training #101 is exactly what we recommend too. At 10 months old, she should already have very few accidents within the house, if any. She should use a doggie door and/or void on her own or on regular potty breaks. Adherence to a strict feeding schedule (do not free-feed) and potty schedule will alleviate this behavior more quickly.
Prior to putting her into her crate for the night or while you can not watch her closely, she should be taken outside on a leash and made to eliminate. If she is unwilling to defecate on a regular schedule and prior to placing her in the crate you can use this 'show dog' trick. Place an un-lit matchbook match (striking end first) in the rectum. Allow about 1/8 inch of the stem to stick out. Place her leash on her and take her immediately outside. Within 1-2 minutes while walking her around she will void, expelling the match at the same time. This trick is used by dog show handlers and such when a dog must be crated so no accidents will happen while crated. This also works for regulating an elimination schedule for let's say working people, who's dogs are left in the house all day or in a crate until they come home at lunch time.
She should always be taken outside just prior to crating. If she fusses, paws, begins barking or whinning while in her crate simply cover her with a beach towel or sheet. This will help shut down the dog's sences (like covering a bird's cage). Once she is in the crate DO NOT take her back out unless or until she can be watched and/or it is morning.
A rule of thumb; for every month of age a young dog can be left in their crate. Naturally up to 8 hours. So, Lucy should be able to sleep through the night after going outside prior to going in her crate without any accidents.
Dogs do not usually soil their sleeping and eating area. Feed her in her crate, then within 30 minutes of feeding her take up the food and take her outside on a leash (you have more control) giving her praise and a small 'different' treat when she defecates and urinates. Use only these special treats when training for outside potty habits. Establish this behavior for one month consistantly.
Do not give in to this dog, you are the alpha 'dog' in the house. What you say goes....no exceptions. You will be happier and your companion Westies will be too.
Good luck and let us know how it is going. Thanks for the questions.
Susan Reeves Director
Nichole and Stewart
I recently adopted a Westie- "Stewart" from my local SPCA. I have always been obsessed with the Scotch terrier breeds, and although I was never interested in a pure-bred- was I suprised when I found this little 6 month old guy (who looked much older due to his ungroomed and dirty self) at the shelter, and I had to take him home and make him a new member of my family. It's been almost 5 weeks since we adopted him, and we've struggled a bit with the allergies, and I'll be starting him on the Westie diet as soon as I get the supplements in the mail- he's on the Nutro natural lamb and rice puppy food right now, so I am sure he won't mind a little ground beef and supplements added in to his usual meal. I love the site- and I only want Stewart to be incredibly healthy and happy and not to suffer from his allergies. I've seen significant improvement since I switched to the Nutro a few weeks ago and stopped giving him treats that didn't conform to his usual diet, but he is still plagued a bit by some itchy and scratchies. I hope to see much improvement with the new diet.
I'll be sure to check back here often- please keep up the good work! Someday I hope to adopt a second westie or scottie to be Stewart's best friend (next to me), but until then he'll continue trying to cajole my cats into being his best buds.
Thanks again!
22 December 2005
Webmaster comments
Well congratulations Stewart for picking an excellent new 'Mom'.
Sending our very best to you both.
Susan, Dir
Wade
I have always had big dogs in the past; usually a Collie, Retriever, or German Shepherd. About a year and a half ago my wife and daughter went to a pet store to "look" at the puppies. It took several days for them to convince me to bring a Westie into our home. Well, Dottie Honeydew Walker came into our home a bundle of energy. Unfortunately, she had very stubborn kennel cough and took a couple of months and many trips to the vet to get healthy. Her loving personality made us decide to help her fight to get healthy. Today, she is a 15-pound bundle of energy. I have never met a dog that was so smart. She has been teaching me "Westie" and has me well trained. It amazes me that she will come to me and softly bark, then sit in front of me and wait for a response. As I ask her what she wants she does the trademark Westie head tilt and waits until I get to the proper answer like "Outside?" Then she jumps around happily, answers with a medium volume bark, and heads for the leash.
Now I feel guilty when my wife and I go to work and our daughters are in school. This means that she must stay alone for several hours each day. In my area, a small dog cannot be left outside because eagles or coyotes would consider them a good meal. So she spends the time inside and alone. This loving Westie is so social I am sure she would love a companion to help her burn her one and a half year old energy. If I can convince my wife, we will be looking for another female about her age! Of course, I will need to build a Westie-proof playroom for the energetic pair!
7 December 2005
Webmaster comments
We have our fingers and paws crossed!
Suh Park and Gizmo
Hi. I wanted to ask a question to the westie lovers...my Gizmo is 2years old now and perfect. He loves to drag his giant (about 10 lbs) doll around the house and take a nap on top of it he's not just a pet but my baby and when i look around, he's more spoiled than the toddler next door. The question I wanted to ask was: -He seems small for his age he s not as stocky and still has his puppy like frame..the vet says he's perfectly healthy but i worry. Also he's been on the westie diet for a year now. He is about 12" long and about 8-9" off the ground from shoulders. Are some westies smaller and is there anything i should consider? -Westie's are suppose to have two types of coat but Gizmo has mostly soft and a few hard coat here and there. is this normal? i have no complain about it but would feel better to know that its a normally occuring thing in some westies. Any comment for feedback would be taken gratefully.
Thank you p.s. the westie diet is the best...his ear infections and allergies are no more. I actually recommended to all of my friend who have westies too and sent a copy to my groomer who only takes westie clients (since she has 5 of them)
8 December 2005
Webmaster comments
Hi Suh;
Thanks for the questions concerning you and your Westie. We will answser them in the order they were ask... 1. Structure/Body Frame: This is genetically, (pedigree breeding) predisposed. Depending upon the Mother, Father, Grandfather, Grandmother and the dominant 'genes' which are in your dog's pedigree line. What his 'genes' and not Jeans, hold he will become. Each AKC recognized purebred dog's breed has a 'breed standard' which details the 'perfect' Westie. There is NO SUCH THING! But it provides a breeding guideline and gives reputable and responsible breeding programs something for which to to strive. A general rule of thumb; the height from the ground to the dogs 'whithers' and the length from the whithers to the base of the tail should be relative the same in measurement. That presents a well balanced Westie. 2. Double-coats: Again, it is all in the genetics regarding double coats. If you have a dedicated breeder, who is diligently working on her/his breeding program they only breed toward obtaining the right combination of 'genes' to produce dogs close to the AKC breed standard. From my personal experience; double coats on dogs are something to strive for, but rarely obtainable due to a lot of factors, not just genes (ie. weather, environment, etc).
No matter what your Westie looks like, large, small, double coated, etc.....we love them all!
Susan Westie Rescue of CA
indy and John Lawson
We have rescued 2 wonderful Westies over the years and now we want #3. What a wonderful constant companion! We go everywhere together and always bring a smile to all. Thank you for taking care of these beautiful little love creatures.
20 November 2005
Webmaster comments
How wonderful that you have choosen to enrich your lives and that of a rescued Westie too. Bless you all.
Susan Reeves, Director
Rebecca
My children and I are interested in adopting a westie.
19 November 2005
Webmaster comments
Hello Rebecca;
How wonderful that you have decided to give a deserving rescued animal a home. Please go onto our website, enter the 'Adopting A Westie' section and review the proper way to apply and submit an application.
I have always had big dogs in the past; usually a Collie, Retriever, or German Shepherd. About a year and a half ago my wife and daughter went to a pet store to "look" at the puppies. It took several days for them to convince me to bring a Westie into our home. Well, Dottie Honeydew Walker came into our home a bundle of energy. Unfortunately, she had very stubborn kennel cough and took a couple of months and many trips to the vet to get healthy. Her loving personality made us decide to help her fight to get healthy. Today, she is a 15-pound bundle of energy. I have never met a dog that was so smart. She has been teaching me "Westie" and has me well trained. It amazes me that she will come to me and softly bark, then sit in front of me and wait for a response. As I ask her what she wants she does the trademark Westie head tilt and waits until I get to the proper answer like "Outside?" Then she jumps around happily, answers with a medium volume bark, and heads for the leash.
he's not just a pet but my baby and when i look around, he's more spoiled than the toddler next door. The question I wanted to ask was: