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Teddy Teddy

January 2004: Hi, my name is Teddy and they say Im seven years old. I was brought into the Monmouth County SPCA as a stray in early November 2003. A week later I met my mom-to-be, Sue. Shes a volunteer at the shelter and says when she saw me; it was love at first sight. Some people would think I wasnt much to look at, but Mom says she could tell that I had a great personality even though I was lethargic and slept most of the time. The shortest of walks were physically draining since I just didnt feel good.

Soon after adopting me, Mom took me for my first visit to my new doctor. He said I was either a vets worst nightmare or dream come true; it would all depend on my progress.

My doctor told Mom that I had a severe dermatological yeast infection, and secondary bacterial infection. He explained to her that was why I was missing a lot of hair, and why parts of my skin had turned black with deep wrinkles. Its very itchy and sometimes I scratch spots until theyre bloody and raw.

The doctor prescribed a steroid so I wouldnt scratch so much, but he couldnt do anything about the unpleasant order caused by the infection itself. I have to take long baths every other day and lots of medications for my skin. The pills arent too bad cause Mom puts em in liverwurst. (Yummy!!!) Im not crazy about the long baths but I like the warm hair dryer afterwards.

My teeth need a good cleaning, but my doctor says we need to get stronger before he can do this. Mom just brushes em for now. (Im not real fond of this either, but Mom insists that it has to be done.)

The doctor said I have something called KCS (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) which means I have compromised tear production in my eyes. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being normal production) both my eyes registered a zero. This lack of tear production has led to a darkening of my corneas, dramatically limiting my eyesight. I get around the house okay, but Im kind of embarrassed when I bump into things I cant see. Also, since I also had a green discharge from both eyes, Mom applies a special ointment and eye drops twice a day.

When Mom first brought me home, I had a pretty bad infection in both ears, necessitating drops twice daily and cleaning once a day.

Finally, I also have a heart murmur -- but were keeping an eye on that.

As of my last doctors visit, my ear infections have disappeared and the tear production in my eyes is up to a 5 with no more discharge! Well continue working on my skin infection as long as it takes for me to feel better, but I dont itch as much and Im growing NEW HAIR!! I feel a little better each day.

I now live with my new Mom Sue, Grandma Helen, eight rabbit brothers and sisters and one guinea pig brother. (Theyre all rescues as well -- except for Grandma Helen.) I am truly blessed with lots of company and love.

I also have some nice new friends at WestieMed that helped us with my medical bills.

Teddy had a skin condition called Malassezia (yeast infection of the skin). This condition is becoming more and more prevalent among Westies. Westie Rescuers are seeing cases of this all over the country. This condition is very treatable...if treated properly. To help other Westie owners, we are making information about this condition available on our web site. You can read about it here:

http://www.westiemed.org/health/malassezia/


Teddy Update - May 2004: Just wanted to give you an update on Teddy. I've attached a recent picture. As you can see, Teddy continues to improve and the vet is quite happy with his progress. Teddy and I really appreciate the generous help that WestieMed provided. And thank you again for all your help.

Take Care,
Sue & Teddy


Update January 8, 2010:

One last fight we couldn’t win.  It’s with a broken heart I write to tell you my beloved Teddy and I lost our final battle on December 30, 2010.  Our life together had been an emotional one; happy for every moment we were together (having celebrated 7 years together this past November) and trying for every medical challenge Ted had faced. 


During our life together Ted had become quite the spokesman for shelter pets, especially those with special needs. He was featured in a local fund raising calendar for the Monmouth County SPCA (Mr. May 2006).  He went on to promote the calendar on a local cable show “The Pet Stop”, in our hopes to encourage people to adopt special needs pets and do themselves a favor by finding their best friend. He walked for several years in the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day parade (being the ‘star’ of the local cable TV parade coverage).  He also walked to raise funds, as an alumni, for the MCSPCA.  His adoption story had been covered in a local newspaper, again reminding people to consider adopting pets with special needs; truly a celebrated life.


After overcoming his skin disease which plagued him when we adopted each other, to a diagnosis of a stage three mast cell cancer almost four years ago which resulted in the loss of one eye followed by chemotherapy and radiation, Ted’s trials were not done.  All of which he faced with an abundance of courage and strength I’ve rarely encountered in life.  He willingly followed the doctors and technicians in for treatment (as I worried and fretted for the treatment to be over and for him to be returned to me).  Never once did he hesitate, but courageously walked ahead.  So many times upon returning, the technicians would tell me how extraordinary he was and how typically “the Westies tend to nip and be uncooperative”, but Ted was a perfect gentleman.  No surprise to me, from the moment we met Ted wanted only to give and receive love and gladly accepted all treatments in his, what seemed never ending, battle to feel better.  Ted beat the odds with that cancer, 36 months after surgery no sign of recurrence.  However, not his last visit to the oncologist.  Early summer of 2010 brought what the doctor called a multi focal carcinoma.  “We won’t be as successful with this one” the doctor said.  Of course once again Ted and I experienced a miracle and for no reason the doctors could explain after aspirating the lumps they started to get smaller and smaller and then gone.  Not just one time but twice, baffling all.  I didn’t question it, Ted was my miracle from the beginning, I was just happy for one more day with him.


Finally, in the fall Ted was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary hypertension.  A battle we weren’t going to win.  With a logical mind, I knew how lucky I had been for Ted to have reached the age of 14 with all he had been through but with my heart, wanted him to stay with me forever. 


I told the Doctor, “if I hear you say one more time, ‘Westies are prone to this’, I’m going to explode!”  At some point in Ted’s first seven years of life, prior to our meeting, I figured he must have won the Westminster blue ribbon.  In order for one little dog to be stricken with what seemed every ailment known to the breed he must have received that title of “ultimate” breeding in the dog world.  Of course in my world he was just the ultimate; ultimate companion, ultimate caregiver, ultimate teacher….most certainly the love of my life. We tried the medications which gave him relief for a short period of time but when it became increasingly harder for him to breathe, I knew we had run out of those miracles.  I feel so blessed to have had my time with Ted and will have his spirit with me always.  I love and miss him more than I can put into words.  As a friend described:  “A love story worthy of a novel.”  My tiny house has become cavernous without that big personality.  Around his neck hung charms which read:  Survivor, Courage, Strength, Wisdom, Faith; words describing his awe inspiring spirit.


I thank WestieMed for helping Ted and I in the beginning of our life together to overcome that first hurdle.  I believe it made a difference through the many other trials to know there are so many people out there that care.  Thank you for helping us and so many others.


Take Care,

Sue and forever & always My Teddy

 

 
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