the journey of a westIe wIth severe sKIn Issues contInues

from Westies & Besties - April 2023

Milking

BY SUE MAKEPEACE

We had to re-educate ourselves and Lottie in a short amount of time if this was going to work. She couldn’t have any of her favourite treats packed full of derivatives and cereals, or she could go back to square one. Lottie was spoilt, she had toast, the odd sausage here and there but this had to stop, her health really depended on us being strict”.

In the January edition I wrote about Lottie and her journey back to health. I explained that Linda, Lottie’s owner, joined the Facebook group - Westie Advice Group in early October 2022 desperately looking for help in getting her nine-year old Westie back to the healthy vibrant fun little dog she knew and loved. After a long telephone conversation and lots of research and reading recommended to them, Linda and Nick (Linda’s husband) were ready to start the healing process for Lottie.

On the 19th of October 2022

Lottie started her journey. This was a complete change of diet to a bioavailable and healthy raw dog food. We opted for Jack Wolf Raw Dog Food, a well-balanced and easy to feed food that is delivered frozen. This is easier on the gut and contains no hidden starches/ sugars which could feed Lottie’s yeast overgrowth and make it worse. Treats were to be kept to a minimum and where possible one ingredient only and natural, exactly as Mother Nature intended.

We spoke about what had happened to Lottie and why toxins and inflammation build up in the body over time and eventually in most cases they manifest themselves in some form of disease.

Lottie was practically furless back in October, just a few tufts covered her body. She was very smelly, lethargic, depressed, and incredibly sad, a shadow of her former 10kg fit, muscular and healthy self. Linda and Nick were clearly very distraught and didn’t know what to try next, what on earth had happened to their little Lottie? Linda said to me she felt her dog was broken inside and out. Veterinary intervention had clearly failed their little Lottie.

It has not been plain sailing and I always say to owners, no dog gets like this overnight, it’s years of toxins building up from processed foods, unnecessary vaccinations, flea and worm pesticides, drugs that strip the gut of good bacteria. It’s a tough road to follow and the healing cycle can be brutal at times, and this is where many owners break and go seeking veterinarian intervention. The main thing you have to do as an owner is hold your nerve big time.

I asked Linda to write a diary of the toughest parts of Lottie’s journey - how rough it has been, and was it all worth it?

Lottie’s Diary Update

written by Linda

Have the last 14 weeks been easy? Absolutely not!

Have there been tears and tantrums? Oh, most definitely yes! From us and Lottie.

Did we ever feel like giving in? 100% yes, many times.

Did Lottie ever try and break us down? You bet she did!

When we started this journey back in October I really did not know or understand what was in store for us and Lottie. She was so poorly we just knew that we needed to do something outside of the veterinary route, we needed to think outside of the box and go for it, or we just knew we would lose our precious Westie.

Raw food, easy! Supplements, no problem, but what came with it was not what we were expecting at all. The bathing, the moisturising of her skin, the cleaning of her ears, watching her like a hawk, making sure she didn’t snaffle any food on a walk. Checking everything she ate.

The learning curve of feeding a raw diet? What else could she have for extras? Eggs, cottage cheese, oily fish, green veggies. We needed to think of ideas to keep it fun, interesting, and sustaining her through her ravenous detox. Luckily enough Lottie ate voraciously from day one.

Lottie’s detox was something we never want to experience again, and hopefully we never will. The shakes, the hot and cold clammy skin, the constant demand for food and treats. Begging for food from our plates, it was endless. She had an uncontrollable urge to pee and poop in places, something she had never done before. Her bladder control has always been good especially on rainy and windy days.

We had to re-educate ourselves and Lottie in short amount of time if this was going to work. She couldn’t have any of her favourite treats packed full of derivatives and cereals, or she could go back to square one. Lottie was spoilt, she had toast, the odd sausage here and there but this had to stop, her health really depended on us being strict.

Did we have sleepless nights with her howling? Oh yes, we did! Did she stand in the kitchen barking at the counters? Absolutely! Was it hell on earth not to give in? Absolutely yes.

Our girl has gained weight, she is now 9.7kg which is something we never thought we would see. She has settled down, she is enjoying walks, her eyes are sparkling, she’s mischievous again. I never thought Lottie would recover, she would never feel well again, she would always be depressed and lethargic, her eyes would always be dull, she would always have no fur and be itchy and smelly. We know we aren’t out of the woods yet, but we are close. Our girl is alive and loving life again.

Were the last 14 weeks’ worth the pain? 1,000,000% wholeheartedly YES!

Big thanks to Linda and Nick for listening, for holding their nerve and for giving Lottie a chance at a healthy life again. Thank you, Linda, for keeping a diary of her journey. I will update you all again, in another couple of months and by then we all hope Lottie is well and truly fully coated and yeast free.

As the weather gets warmer and you start to look forward to those long walks with your faithful Westie, it is important to remember that lurking out there are some unwanted visitors just waiting to hop onto your four-legged friend.

For just around the corner is the start of the tick and flea season and accordingly, we have put together all the things that you need to know about prevention and cure from these critters.

Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites that can carry a whole host of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to pets and humans. Prevention is the best way to protect your pets and yourself against tickborne diseases such as Lyme disease.

Ticks are active and looking for something to feed on (you and your pet) as soon as the temperature hits 4C. As well as Lyme disease, ticks also carry many other serious and deadly illnesses and are often so small that they are difficult to spot. They live in wooded areas, tall grass, bushes, or leaves just waiting to attach onto your pet. It is important that during the warmer months you check your dog’s coat for ticks and if you find one, remove very carefully with a pair of tweezers making sure that no part of the body or legs is left burrowing into the skin. Treat any infected area with something antiseptic, calming and soothing that is suitable for dogs and consult your vet if the infection spreads or does not clear up.

Fleas are a type of external parasite that sucks blood from their hosts as adults. A flea can live from between 14 days to a year, and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day! It’s estimated that 95 per cent of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment, not on your pet so it’s important to treat your home and dog’s bedding should you suspect fleas in your house. There are many flea treatment sprays out there on the market.

Signs your dog may have fleas

• Your pet is scratching

• Areas of hair loss, bald or sore patches

• Red spots and irritation

• Thickened skin in areas (e.g., around ear edges)

• Tiny dark specks in its fur, or small brownblack insects scurrying about

• Insect bites on yourself

Combing and regular grooming of your dog is the best way to check for fleas and ticks.

Herbal Dog Co has created the natural antidote to fleas, tick and parasites. From non-toxic spot-on treatments to flea shampoos, the flea and tick range is supercharged with effective essential oils that are safe for YOU and your pooches.

Herbal Dog Co’s Herbal Dog Co’s Natural Flea and Tick Spot On Tonic is a safe and natural spot on product that is applied weekly to the back of the dog’s neck. It is made from ingredients which are natural such as Quassia Bark, Neem Leaf and Lemongrass essential oil. It is so safe that you can use it with confidence around pregnant and breastfeeding mums. RRP £12.95.

To treat your home and your pet when fleas strike, use Herbal Dog Co’s Flea Protect Natural Spray. It is easy to use and ideal for family life when you don’t want harsh chemicals in the home. The spray contains Aqua, Aqueous extracts of Quassia Bark, Lemongrass, SLS parabin free surfactant and fragrance. RRP £12.95.

To see the full range of tick and flea prevention products, sprays and flea shampoos, visit www.herbaldogco.com.

Linden Gardens Spring Bulbs

Available from Radley London www.radley.co.uk

This beautiful new collection from Radley London is sure to have you swooning all through spring with its vibrant, dreamy colours and wonderful design.

Image supplied by Radley London

£5.99 www.tkmaxx.com

Image supplied by TK Maxx

Floral blue cushion

Available from TK Maxx

Sit back and relax with this stylish, beautiful pale blue cushion that features stunning butterflies and spring flowers.

£19.99 www.tkmaxx.com

Image supplied by TK Maxx

Easter Wreath Making Workshop

Available from Hobbycraft

Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a creative day out learning how to create your own Easter wreaths?

£30 www.hobbycraft.co.uk

Image supplied by Hobbycraft

Mojave Glaze Green Bud Vase

Available from the National Trust www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

Simple and elegant is just the way we like it and this unusual glaze green vase is the perfect accessory in which to show off the spring flowers from your garden.

£8.

Image supplied by The National Trust

Alexa Blue Jacquard Mini Dress Blue

Sea Blue/Cream Illusion

Available from the National Trust www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

This stunning item can be used as a throw or a blanket and is a beautiful accompaniment to any home with its soft material and stylish design.

£42.

Delos fishbone stripe multi colour

Available from the National Trust

These stunning colours are sure to vamp up your living space and will have you feeling spring-ready in no time.

£45 www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

Image supplied by The National Trust

Available from F & F

This stunning blue dress from F & F will have you looking and feeling like the belle of the ball as we head into the magical season of spring in all its glory.

£27.50 www.tesco.com/clothing

Image supplied by F & F

Delos Spring Garden Boxed CandleCotton & Hydrange