WestieMed - The Pedigree Foundation Grant

The Pedigree Foundation Grant

The Pedigree Brand believes that every dog deserves a loving home. To ensure the brand was maximizing its efforts to help four-legged friends in need, they created The Pedigree Foundation. The Pedigree Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing grants to support other programs that help make life better for homeless dogs. WestieMed is pleased to announce it received a grant from The Pedigree Foundation in November 2011 for the fourth consecutive year.

WestieMed wishes to express its thanks and gratitude to The Pedigree Foundation for this support. This grant enabled WestieMed to help save a very sick little Westie named Wilson...

Wilson

No one knows how long he was on his own fending for himself but, when Wilson was found in Liberty State Park by Animal Control, it was obvious that he was in dire medical condition. The shelter sent a plea to an independent Westie rescuer in New Jersey for help. When the rescuer picked him up, Wilson was so sick that she described it as 'truly frightening' and he was taken straight to a veterinarian for care.

The vet estimated this little guy was about 5 years old. Weighing only 9 pounds, Wilson was diagnosed with severe starvation and emaciation as well as numerous other issues including Giardia, Coccidia, worms, Malassezia with hair loss, bacterial skin infection, ear infections and eye infections. He was depressed, withdrawn, unable to make eye contact and refused most food. Wilson received intensive care for 5 days.

Gradually, Wilson began to recover. The first milestone was when he could eat food without distress. At first he was hand-fed chicken and rice by his rescuer, he then graduated to kibble and eventually he began to put on weight. Treatment with oral medications and medicated baths addressed his many infections and parasitic conditions.

After three months of rest and rehab with his rescuer, Wilson made amazing progress both physically and emotionally. His hair began to grow back, his infections healed and his parasites resolved without consequence. He is now able to show affection for people and other dogs. Wilson enjoys being patted, hugged and going on walks.

The extensive medical cost of Wilson's recovery was more than his rescuer could afford. So she turned to WestieMed for help.

The grant WestieMed received from the Pedigree Foundation was used to help pay for Wilson's treatment. As a result, Wilson's health was restored and he miraculously learned to love, trust and play like a typical Westie.