In August of 2008 my husband of 26 ˝ years
passed away from cancer. He became ill and was gone in three weeks. For the previous five years prior to his
passing, he was home every day with our 7 year old Peek-a-Poo, Bernie. Following
his death Bernie suffered from severe separation anxiety, manifested by
self-mutilating behaviors of scratching and chewing herself raw, resulting in
three months of treatment with Anafranil. I began considering the possibility of
acquiring a companion pet for Bernie; however, was hesitant as I was still
trying to figure out how I was going to manage with my now limited income. My
husband’s military pension and Social Security retirement was greater than my
working income.A co-worker who
knew I was considering a companion pet asked if I would be interested in
accepting Hallie, a 14-month old Westie. She informed me that Hallie was left
with her in hopes of finding her a new home. The individual that gave Hallie to
my co-worker told her that she had taken Hallie from her daughter as she was
being abused and neglected, to include being housed outside and fed only every
other day. She chose my co-worker as my co-worker had taken Hallie’s sister the
year before under the same circumstances. My co-worker was informed that
although Hallie was healthy except for allergies, if she could not find her a
new home the owner was going to “put her down”.
After two days of consideration I brought Hallie home; I could not
stand the thought of having a healthy 14-month old pup being put down for no
good reason. Fortunately, although Bernie was apprehensive about this energetic
ball of fur the two were playful and seemed to enjoy each other’s company almost
immediately. However, on that first night I noticed that the more active Hallie
became, the more she coughed. They continued playing, but when Hallie began
coughing Bernie would back off. When Hallie stopped coughing she again would
initiate play and Bernie would oblige. At one point Hallie began coughing and
gagging, and her breathing was obviously labored. As I was massaging her throat
and rubbing her chest to calm her, I soon realized that she was suffering from
more than allergies. I could actually feel and hear fluid moving in her lungs.
In spite of this, once the gagging and coughing stopped, she returned to play.
The following day I took Hallie to my vet where chest x-rays revealed she had
pneumonia. She was started on antibiotics and Lasix. As a precaution Bernie
received a vaccine for kennel cough.
On Hallie’s first day alone at her new home I
confined her to the kitchen as her kennel was too small to accommodate her, and
she needed to have the water available to her because of the Lasix. The floor
was covered with "pee pads", and I said good bye to ‘my girls’ as I left for
work. Upon my return from work I was shocked. This loving little girl had ‘peed
and poohed’ ALL OVER the place; not only were the ‘pee pads’ torn up, so was my
kitchen rug, as well as the chairs and TV stand being out of place. It looked
like a tornado had struck. It took me the next six hours to clean the kitchen,
which included pulling the carpeting up. Hence, her new name…’TAZ’ (Tasmanian
Devil). I also acquired an oversized kennel that same night from my nephew.
Although Taz’s condition seemed to improve
somewhat, on her follow up visit to the vet the x-rays showed limited
improvement with her lung congestion and antibiotics were continued. Throughout it all
Taz continued her playfulness and showed her winning personality. She never
hesitated going into the vet’s office, always prancing right in with her tail
wagging.
On
the next visit to the local vet, plans were to discuss a ‘tracheal
wash’ in an attempt to identify the cause of the infection. Instead, our vet
recommended that Taz be scheduled for an appointment at the Pittsburgh
Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Clinic (PVS-EC) and I agreed. The antibiotics
were discontinued so as to not compromise any tests that the clinic might want
to do. Our vet made the referral, and our appointment was scheduled.
However, with the antibiotics discontinued,
Taz’s condition began to deteriorate. Her appetite lessened, she became
lethargic, her playfulness disappeared, breathing became increasingly labored,
and she eventually developed two large open draining sores on her right shoulder
area. Unable to get an earlier appointment at the specialty clinic, I took Taz
to the Emergency Clinic. Following the initial exam, to include
x-rays and blood work, the emergency room vet informed me that test results
indicated Taz was “showing many interesting pathologies” and recommended that
she be kept overnight so that she could undergo additional testing
and palliative care to keep her comfortable; again I agreed. I informed the vet
that I wanted to give Taz every chance possible, but I did not want her to
suffer needlessly. Taz spent two nights at PVS-EC. She was diagnosed with
‘blastomycosis", a systemic fungal infection, endemic to the Missouri,
Mississippi, and Tennessee Valley areas, which was affecting the lungs, skin,
and possibly beginning in the bone. Her prognosis was “fair" as with significant
lung involvement, additional inflammation in the lung tissue may develop as the
fungal organisms began to die within the first two weeks of treatment, which
could cause significant breathing problems that would require hospitalization
with oxygen therapy and can sometimes be life threatening. Antifungal
medications are typically needed for months to successfully treat blastomycosis.
I took Taz home not only with the hopes that
we could successfully treat this precious pup, but also with a sense of anger
and frustration. Although information regarding this loveable and loving pup was
limited, one piece of documentation I received with her was from an emergency
vet clinic in Knoxville, TN. It noted she was bought to this
clinic due to wheezing, coughing, gagging, thick green nasal discharge, and
decreased appetite. The same symptoms I noted almost 11 months later. At the
visit in Knoxville the vet discussed with the owner his desire to rule out
kennel cough, pneumonia, etc., but the owner declined to agree to any work-up to
include x-rays and blood work. So it seems this poor pup had been fighting this
infection for almost a year without treatment. The idea of her suffering for so
long broke my heart, and although I was told treatment was long term, expensive,
and without a guaranteed outcome, I was more determined than ever to give this
little girl a chance for a happy and healthy life, one that she apparently had
yet to experience in her short life.
It was obvious that she was a fighter with
spunk. In spite of her health problems she remained adorable and loving, and all
she wanted was for someone to love her. It’s obvious she thinks everyone she
meets should love her as she greets them with a wagging tail. She has won my
heart and has stolen the hearts of all she meets. I now understand the true
meaning of the phrase “for the love of Westies”.
Due to my limited income and anticipated cost
of Taz’s care, I sought out the assistance of another co-worker in an attempt to
locate an organization that could help offset the expenses; WestieMed was found. I
held off in submitting an application for assistance, hoping for the best.
Taz’s response to treatment for blastomycosis
was mixed. The first three weeks were tough; she remained lethargic and had to
be encouraged to eat, most often needing to be hand-fed, along with a
nutritional supplement. She again began wagging her little ‘carrot-shaped’ tail,
but energy levels waxed and waned, and she would occasionally initiate play with
Bernie. All the while she continued to give and seek out love.
After the first three weeks she seemed to be
well on her way to a slow but sure recovery. We had a couple more follow up
visits with the vet, indicating mild improvement in her condition, and her liver
was tolerating the medication. She was again playing with Bernie on a regular
basis, with increased appetite and energy levels.
Then Taz experienced rapid onset of open-mouthed breathing. I
rushed her to the local vet hospital where she was hospitalized for two days and
treated with oxygen therapy. She was discharged with an additional medication, a
bronchodilator. Again she was playing and showing few signs of her illness, but
for the occasional cough.
However, Taz again experienced a
sudden onset of open-mouth breathing and was rushed to the local vet hospital
and admitted for oxygen therapy. Within an hour of returning home I received a
call from our vet informing me that an appointment was available at PVS-EC the
following day. I immediately accepted this appointment, and submitted an
application to WestieMed requesting financial assistance.
Before I picked Taz up the next morning to
take her to our appointment at PVS-EC she received a breathing treatment from
the local vet. Following her exam. at PVS-EC, it was believed that her recent
episode of respiratory distress was due to aspiration of vomit and an antibiotic
was added. Additionally, because Taz’s lungs had not significantly improved, her
antifungal medication was changed, and a second antifungal med was added.
Today, Taz’s prognosis has
been upgraded to "good"; her quality of life is described as good also.
Although treatment is expected to last for at
least another six months, with regular follow-ups, Taz has shown considerable
improvement. She and
Bernie play each day, sometimes for hours at a time. They growl at each other
and chase each other around the house, and Taz doesn’t always play fair. Taz is
coughing very little now, and it is usually Bernie that ends up panting with her
tongue hanging out.
Taz is finally learning to be a puppy. She is fascinated with
daddy long legs, she barks at fireflies, tries to catch moths, and is starting
to get into things she shouldn’t. Her terrier personality is starting to come
through.
With continued treatment and the
assistance from WestieMed, I am very optimistic that Taz will enjoy a full
recovery and enjoy a happy and healthy life in a loving home that she deserves.
On behalf of Taz, Bernie and myself, we extend
our thanks and appreciation to the wonderful folks at WestieMed.
For the Love of Westies,
Janine L. Jackson
Update August 18, 2009:
Bernie and I took Taz for a check up today at the Pittsburgh
specialty clinic. Good news and bad. Chest x-rays were performed along with
blood work to check liver function. Lab results are forthcoming but I anticipate
those results to be satisfactory. There is "continued increase in lung sounds
but improved from last exam". X-rays show "Diffuse interstitial infiltrates have
improved since last exam. Alveolar pattern/atelectasis of right cranial lung
lobe persists relatively unchanged".
We are to schedule a recheck of radiographs and blood work in
three months. "The majority of Taz's lung fields have improved. She continues to
have consolidation of one lobe on the right side. If this area fails to improve,
despite normalization of other lung lobes, we may have to consider removing this
lung lobe at some point in the future". It was explained to me that this lung
lobe was similar to being "collapsed" The fear is that if all other lung lobes
improve but for this one, that some infection may remain in this lobe, that it
will cause a relapse and we will then have to start over from the beginning. So,
we continue to hope and pray.
Thanks again to WestieMed for your kindness and support.
For the Love of Westies,
Janine
Update September 21, 2009:
We went to the vet specialty clinic today for follow up on
TAZ's elevated liver enzyme level. Won't know the results until tomorrow.
However, no signs of jaundice yet, so I guess that's good. It's been a tough
month with TAZ though. She developed an ear infection with several bacteria
involved- we're now on an anti-biotic for that. We need to follow up with our regular vet in three weeks for that. She also went into heat. And her energy
levels have been pitifully low as has her appetite. So she is also now taking a
high calorie nutritional supplement. She needs a lot of encouragement to eat,
even snacks and people food. But she still is weighing in at 18lbs. Tonight she
and Bernie played for the first time in a month, only lasted about 5 minutes,
but she showed some life. She's wearing me out. Next appointment with the clinic
is in two months. We'll let you know of the lab results tomorrow. May God Bless
you and yours.
Janine
Update September 23, 2009:
Good news! Lab results for Liver enzymes came back as normal.
Next appointment for x-rays and complete blood work scheduled for 11/16.
Appetite still not what it should be, but improving with hand feeding. Activity
levels still low but showing some improvement. Unless there is a significant
change, I'll send next update in November. Thanks again for your assistance.
Greatly appreciated.
Janine
Update November 17, 2009:
Well, took TAZ to the vet yesterday for her check up. X-rays showed that most of
her lungs are clear - all except that one lobe, which is still collapsed from
lack of air. And her blood work showed that one of her liver enzymes is again
slightly elevated, along with her white blood count. We go back in six weeks for
more blood tests to check the levels again. The plan now is to continue her meds
for three months. Then try to discontinue them. If her infection returns, as it
might because some infection may be lingering in that collapsed lung portion, we
have two options. Continue her on meds for life, with regular lab work to check
her liver enzymes, or have that collapsed portion of her lung removed. I guess
that is probably the route we'll take. They say it's only about 1/4 of her
lungs, and she really only uses about 1/2. So removal of that lobe really won't
effect her much at all. It will save her liver and in the long run. it will be
less costly. So that's the update. Wish I had better news.
Janine
Update January 20, 2010:
Bernie and I took TAZ to the specialty clinic on 12/30 to follow up on her liver
enzymes. They came back as normal. TAZ is doing really well over-all. She and
Bernie are playing on a daily basis: chasing each other inside and out, growling
and wrestling and teasing each other. TAZ is really learning to play by herself
as well. She really likes playing with the tennis balls, tossing them into the
air, chasing after them and sometimes even tripping over them. She has become my
shadow, following me wherever I go. And if I take a nap on the recliner, she
generally sleeps right on top of me. She and Bernie can also occasionally be
found snuggling together on the recliner. The hunter terrier comes out in her
when she is outside. She will bark like crazy and scratch at the fence trying to
get at the squirrels, rabbits, deer, and even the birds. Good thing she is not a
digger! And these small animals that she sees and barks at are usually a good
30-40 yards away. She doesn't often listen to me when I tell her "no bark", so
sometimes Bernie will go out after her and it's like Bernie tells she had better
come in as TAZ will suddenly become quiet, turn around and come running into the
house with Bernie. They really have become friends.
Our next appointment is Feb 19th. I'm still concerned with her outcome. She is
scheduled for x-rays and full blood work. At the last appointment, the vet
suggested that if her x-rays were the same, we would try to discontinue the meds
and see if the infection returns. I'm afraid it will as her one lobe remained
essentially collapsed, likely still harboring infection. And then I will have to
make that difficult decision of continuing her meds for life or electing surgery
to remove that portion of her lung lobe. She still has congestion, sometimes
worse than others, but her wonderful spirit still prevails. She is such a
fighter.
For the Love of Westies,
Janine (and Bernie)
Update March 9, 2010:
Well, Taz's appointment was moved up as she had an episode of vomiting and the
local vet put her on lasix to again clear her lungs. Had a blasto antigen urine
test completed. Came back as moderate-high. Which means the blasto is still
fairly heavily concentrated. I called today and we have a surgery consult
scheduled for 3/22 to discuss possible removal of her lung lobe that is
collapsed. There is no guarantee that the surgery will allow her to
eliminate the blasto infection, but we are sure that she will not be able to
eliminate the infection without the lung removal. I was so hoping the meds alone
would heal her. Please pray for her. She is such a wonderful little pup and she
has been thru so much in her short 28 months.
Janine
Update May 3, 2010:
Well folks, TAZ had her surgery on 4/2/10 to remove the portion of her lung that
did not seem to respond to treatment. The surgery was a little more extensive
than the vet or surgeon had anticipated. She was in surgery for a little over
two hours. Apparently there were some lesions on the lung that had connected to
a major blood vessel and to the lining around her heart. However, in spite of
that, the lung reportedly separated without difficulty. She ended up staying at
the hospital for five days instead of the three they originally planned. Biopsy
of the removed lobe indicated old and new inflammation, no evidence of Blasto or
micro-organisms were found, but did show moderate chronic neutrophilic
bronchopneumonia.
On the 15th Bernie and I took her in for a follow up with the surgeon. He
removed her staples and pronounced the surgery to be a success. He did mention
that little TAZ was a fighter and had won the hearts of everyone in surgery and
the hospital. OF course, that was no surprise- she's a Westie after all.
TAZ seems to have been doing OK over the past four weeks. Her appetite is up and
down. She has lost two pounds since her surgery. She continues to show her spunk
and spirit. Over the last week or so, she has made several attempts to play with
Bernie. The play periods, however, only last a few minutes before TAZ starts to
cough and her breathing becomes labored.
Today, Bernie and I took TAZ in to the clinic for a follow up appointment with
the internist. X-rays indicated that her lungs to be "the best they have ever
been." There was no indication of any lymph node enlargement or
progression/development of any new lung changes. Follow up will depend on
results of the blasto urine antigen titers. We are hoping to be able to change
to a less expensive anti-fungal med.
It has been a long road for us. I often wonder if I chose the right course for
all of us. But, every time I look at that cute little, white fluffy pup, that is
always wanting to give and receive love, no matter how bad she seems to be
doing, I know I am doing the right thing. There may not be a place in Heaven for
me, but there will definitely be a place in Doggie heaven for me.
As always, For the Love of Westies,
Janine and Bernie
Update July 1, 2010:
As you know, TAZ had her surgery to remove a right lung lobe in April. She
recovered quite nicely. A month later her blasto levels went from 8.9 to 2.19!!
This month her liver values were checked and were good. As she was doing so
well, we switched her anti fungal meds to Fluconazole, a med significantly less
expensive than the Itraconazole.
All seemed to be going well, but TAZ was started on an antibiotic in early May
due to an upper respiratory infection. Shortly after, due to limited response, a
second antibiotic was added. She was on this regimen for five weeks and the
infection seemed to clear up and little TAZ was doing great! She was back to
being my shadow. And she and Bernie were playing again: wrestling and chasing
each other around the house several times a day. It was such a pleasure seeing
her activity levels increase and the two girls again playing with gusto.
And last weekend, we all went on a camping trip with my brother and his family,
to include two Boston terrier pups. TAZ went on three walks without any problems
and she and Bernie even romped with the two pups in the pet run area. I was so
proud of my girls, especially TAZ. She also took it upon herself to introduce
herself to her campsite neighbor, a Burmese Mountain dog.
Unfortunately, TAZ woke me Wednesday at 3:15AM with heavy abdominal breathing.
This was followed by occasional open mouth breathing and three episodes of
vomiting. Needless to say, it was off to the hospital at 4:00AM. TAZ was
admitted, remains at the hospital, being treated for pneumonia, thought to be
from aspiration. Spent about 24 hrs in the oxygen kennel with IV antibiotics.
Bernie and I visited with TAZ last night and tonight. She has been without the
oxygen therapy for the last 24 hours, has begun eating, barking at the other
patients, and wagging her carrot tail at the staff. They are going to try to
switch her to oral meds tomorrow, and hopefully we can bring her home over the
weekend.
They are suggesting that since she seems to be experiencing so many apparent
episodes of aspirated pneumonia, it might be a good idea to explore the
possibility of a bronchoscopy to see if her trachea is working as it should when
she swallows. If that is the recommendation, I suppose that is what we will do.
In spite of the multiple setbacks, the vets still feel she has a good quality of
life and is not suffering needlessly.
Still, we ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for TAZ. Thanks much.
For the Love of Westies, Janine and Bernie
Update August 29, 2010:
I hope we have finally turned the corner on TAZ. She may have to be on some meds
for life, time will tell. She has been on her anti-fungal meds since April '09
and antibiotics for most of that time, continuously since her lobectomy in April
'10.
She was released from the hospital on 7/3. She still had some congestion at that
time. But the good news... They did a blasto urine antigen test during her stay
and it came back as a .09!!!, which is essentially
considered to be blasto free!!!
Bernie and I took her to PVS&EC for a scheduled follow-up on 7/12. As she has
experienced several episodes of aspiration pneumonia, it was recommended that we
try a hypo-allergenic diet to see if food allergies might be a component of her
recurrent vomiting problems. Otherwise, lab results were unremarkable and there
was continued slight improvement with her chest x-rays. We were allowed to
switch over the anti-fungal med Fluconazole, about $220 less a month than the
Itraconazole. We then went too our local vet, Rainbow Vet, for a supply
of hypo-allergenic foods- dry food, wet food, and snacks. TAZ wanted nothing to
do with it, But Bernie sure liked it! When PVS&EC called to check on TAZ's
condition several days later, I informed them that we were back on her regular
diet.
TAZ's condition continued to seem to improve; however, she did continue to have
episodes of vomiting. I truly believed that her vomiting was related to all the
meds she was taking- 5 in the A.M. and 6 in the P.M. I chose to discontinue the
Lamisil, as it was one med that warned that it may cause stomach upset.
We followed up again with PVS&EC for a scheduled appointment on 8/9. Again lab
work was unremarkable and chest x-rays again showed some improvement although
she continued with a lot of congestion, which apparently was limited to her
upper respiratory function. All meds were continued, next follow up has to be
scheduled for November, when her chest x-rays will be repeated and another
blasto urine antigen lab will be done.
I am happy to say that TAZ has not vomited since we discontinued the Lamisil.
Well, there was the night she tried to eat a toad. Vomited at least 12 times in
a 1 1/2 hr time period, poor thing. BUT, she did not aspirate and did not
develop pneumonia!!!
She continues with upper respiratory congestion off and on. On 8/17 she did
start with abdominal breathing, which again went into open mouth breathing and a
run to the local vet. However, once we arrived, her breathing was pretty much
back to normal. We are wondering if she experienced an asthma attack.....
She continues to be my shadow, her appetite remains good, as well as her water
intake, she is beginning to cough more when congested-which is good, and she is
playing with Bernie several times a day. And after 18 months of daily meds, she
is finally taking them w/o a fight. She still enjoys going to the vets, walking
in with head held high and tail wagging, but she is now barking at the
other dogs that are there. I guess that's a good thing. And every time I let
her out at night, I always have to search for the "toady". If she sees it before
I do, she will back off when I tell her "NO".
We continue to ask for positive thoughts and prayers for her. Thanks.
For the Love of Westies, Bernie and Janine
