Description:
This little boy comes to WRNT from an Animal Shelter. He is
heartworm and fecal negative. Our vet put him on antibiotics and
allergy medicine. Additionally, he was put on Lasix for a few days
to clear up a rumble in his chest. He will be neutered and his
shots updated at his re-evaluation appointment.
Bret acts very normal otherwise. Our vet estimates his age
between 3 and 5 years. He weighs 16#. His left ear tip will
never stand upright as there is cartilage damage. He may not be
housebroken and likes to mark his territory. He is very sweet and
cute! Although he will not be ready for adoption until he is
healthy, do you have room in your heart and life for this little boy?
UPDATE: Bret's
Foster Family says he is having a great time chasing squirrels in the
backyard with their two Westies. They have a hard time getting
them to come back in the house!
UPDATE: Bad
News! Our vet believes that Bret may have
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - "Westie Lung Disease".
Bret shows the typical sounds of crinkling or crackling when you listen
to his breathing with a stethoscope, and x-rays show scarring and
fibroid buildup. We now think he may be 5 or 6 years old.
Our vet is studying what treatment may be best for Bret. He thinks
an initial treatment regimen with cephalexin is the way to start, as
Bret needs that for some skin problems anyway. Continued
treatments with antibiotics may also be called for. Prognosis is
difficult, as the disease progresses differently in different Westies.
UPDATE: Our rescue
vet has decided to adopt Bret. This will allow our vet to study
the disease with the hopes that the information he discovers will help
not only other Westies with the disease but will also help humans that
suffer from it. Since dogs age faster than humans, analysis
results will be available quicker. Bret will be living with the
vet at his home and will be kept on medications for his disease.
He should be able to live out his life with the best possible medical
care and treatments. Besides, who better to love a dog - his
doctor!
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