westiemum

Maybe they should bring it back as an Olympic sport! :D

Thanks everyone - yes thats all a big help. :) I work very hard with these aging westies of mine... so don't want anything that can be dealt with early to slip under the radar. Will re-test in a few months when I'm gainfully employed again! :)

Thanks Rappie. I did wonder about testing variation or a sample variation. When finances permit I'll have it redone. Dont think theres any reason to go overboard at this point. :)

Absolutely everything else was completely normal. :) the small potassium level elevation only :)

Mac is a very happy almost 13 year old. He's just had his second 12 monthly routine blood test. The first one this time last year was 'perfect'. This year was fine too except for a tiny potassium elevation - 6.0 where the top of the normal range is 5.8. Last year was 5.4. Vet not concerned at this point and recommended a further routine test in 12 months. Should I be doing anything preventative? IS there anything I can do? I haven't noticed any other change in him at all. No changes in urine output, appetite (he still adores his food!) and is happy and spritely for an old boy. :) Thoughts?

Recommended by Macs first foster parents when he first came out of the puppy farm and haven't looked back. So I now take all my animals there I think its so good. I have tended to use the same vet at that practice for Macs chronic ear problems for continuity reasons, (a legacy of his puppy farm days). But there are two other vets there who I'm really happy to see too - all three I see are terrific. And I've seen all of them for bits and pieces over the last 12 months. In fact my mother was so impressed with how the vet owner examined my littlest westie recently after he had a backyard accident, that she now drives across town to see him after being less than impressed with her last visit to her local vet which she had been using for years and thinks has gone downhill recently. And the westies love going there too - for the treat of course! Only one vet there I wont use - she's the youngest vet there and is a rude stuck-up blonde airhead, who isn't interested in anyone elses opinion but her own and is rude in the middle of the waiting room. She dressed me down once in public in the waiting room and I tell you she wont get another opportunity. Typical new grad. So she's the only one out of the whole practice I avoid. Won't go anywhere else.

This. Im really pleased for you and Penny Esky. What a generous little soul to spare you that final deed we all so dread. She'll be waiting for you.

I actually did the sums last time my girl had ear/skin issues and it's cheaper to go to the dermatologist than it is to keep tracking back to the vet time after time. Yep sure is - by a long way. Not to mention resolving the dogs pain quickly :)

Me too, dog had a pseudomonas infection and no treatment was effective so eventually surgery was the only option. In retrospect I should have done it sooner. Surgery has been mentioned for my girl too - although at this stage I don't think it's necessary. I am interested to know the process and how long recovery was? Can we have a few more details just in case I need to go down that track in the future with Indi? gsdog why do you say its not necessary? And whats the bug? (Just so I understand). If you don't know, then I strongly suggest you have a swab done to see what you are dealing with and go from there. I got to the surgery point far too late in hindsight. But as I explained in my previous post, if I'd swabbed much earlier (ie a year earlier ) the whole issue of surgery may have been avoided - and then again given it was psudomonas it may have been inevitable. Will never really know now. I had lab results which showed there were no further drugs that the bug in Mac's ear was sensitive to. So surgery was the only option. I discussed this with my vet who I trust implicitly and thats what she recommended. Mac then had two GAs and a 4 hour op to remove the complete hearing mechanism on the left side and clean out the middle ear cavity with a visiting specialist surgeon at my vets. He then stitched up and closed the ear canal orifice (the 'ear hole') permanently. You need to look after this area after the surgery as it can get a bit dry or yeasty. (I used Vitamin E cream from memory - only temporarily). He still has the pinna (the outside ear). Its a difficult complicated and major op - for Mac it was 4 hours and 2 GAs - so major surgery. Its also expensive (4k+) but in my case worth every cent and I'd do it all again in a heart beat. He came home after two (?) nights at the vets with a fentanyl patch (?) and some very heavy duty pain relief (Tramadol?), ABs and maybe even some anti-inflammatories (can't quite remember). The whole left side of his head was shaved and he had a massive wound, drain and stitches which is quite confronting to begin with. I've attached a photo so you can see what it looks like. But beware, if you click to enlarge the photo the wound, although very clean, is really extensive - but at least it will give you an idea of what you are potentially in for. He healed really really well. My surgeon and vet both did a fantastic job. I think from memory he had the drain out after a couple of days and the stitches out about a week later. But the most remarkable thing was he was a different dog - after he healed from the surgery I suspect he was pain free for the first time in years, probably even from the time he was in the puppy farm (where I suspect this infection came from) - and he was so much happier, bright eyed, spritely. But of course he is completely deaf in the left. And sadly for him I doubt he had much hearing in the right either - so I now manage him as a deaf dog. But of course this isn't usually the case in most other dogs. My strong recommendation to you is don't dilly dally like I did in getting it sorted one way or another - and be absolutely sure you know what you are dealing with. (See my previous post, this thread). Hope that helps. :)

That's a good idea. :)

Ditto. Also you could try http://www.aidacare.com.au/hr/homepage.aspx# - but skirt around the fact it's for a dog. Also think about trying a local hospital or aged care facility. They may have some old equipment that would do fine that they are only too pleased to get rid of. Good luck and do let us know how you get on. :)

Yep been here done that. Long story short - mucked around literally guessing what was causing the infection for over a year. New vet at practice insisted on a swab to the lab - severe pseumonas (sp?) infection so no wonder nothing was working ( highly resistant bacteria). Imported specific ABs from Sydney based on lab results. Thought we'd finally got on top of it. Clinically appeared clear. I insisted on a swab to check (I'd learned my lesson by then) - vet felt further swab was unnecessary but humoured me. Results came back with further heavy infection which wasnt obvious clinically and no other drug available to try - he was by now resistant to the lot. End of the road. Mac then had a complete left ear ablation - 4 hour op. Surgeon rang me after the surgery and said we made the right decision - there was so much infection we were never going to solve it clinically - the ear cavity was absolutely full of pus and was absolutely putrid and more than likely very painful. For Mac surgery and 4k was the only solution. Moral of the story : always always swab to get accurate diagnosis so you can treat accurately the first time. Don't muck around trying this and that like I did. It's cheaper and more effective in the long run to swab - and less painful for the dog (ear infections are usually very painful). My only regret is I didn't swab right at the beginning and save my old boy a great deal of pain - and possibly the loss of his left ear canal, ear drum, middle ear cavity and inner ear. Good luck - hope you get to the bottom of it soon. :)

Like too! Might copy...

Boy. I have three westies - a bossy girl and two laid back boys. It works well. :) Can't put my finger on it but three of the same gender would concern me - but I can't think why? And I love boys in general - laid back and low maintenance! Nothing bothers mine. Just one thing - need to introduce the third dog carefully. I was lucky - they all just slip-streamed in together as if they were litter mates who had never been apart. But I know it doesn't always happen that way.

Esky prayers for you all. I know what you mean about the oldies - it can be so rewarding and so tough at the same time. But I do agree with you - the happiness the oldies bring me is worth the honour but distress of having to see them through their final days. Take care and thinking of you.

OK. Macs bloods are back - my lovely vet just rang. Another perfect result. His potassium is 6.0, very slightly above the top end of normal (5.8). Last year it was 5.4. But overall its nothing to worry about at this point, particularly given he turns 13 next month, on the 13th. And unless something changes in the meantime I'll run them again in July next year. Yay! :)

Beautiful photos Lollipup. I can see why Goldie is so special to you o you must resolve her ownership issue!!! You mustn't lose her.... :)

Wow! They are just beautiful... Makes me want to ride again... Thanks for posting. :)

Late to the party too but on kja's suggestion I bought a Canon Powershot S90 out of New York about two years ago. Fantastic little camera - a little more than a point and click but it is the same size and takes great photos and is very forgiving of a photo nong like me. :)

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Hey thanks B, will give it a go. Do you know doggie Vit E dosages by any chance? Thanks tons :) Mac went to see his favourite vet this morning for a 12 monthly check. As part of that we've done bloods so will get the results of that next week. Preventative only - not expecting anything untoward - just think 12 monthly bloods in an almost 13 year old is a good idea so hopefully I can jump on anything he is brewing early. Apart from that he's doing really really well for an old boy. Although a bit distracted by every smell in the dog park last week, he was really spritely and trotted around with his ears and tail up looking very happy - made his mother happy too! I bought this Vit E powder--> http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/VPVITE?sc=9&category=260#.UAsjGl634oM I worked it out and it was the best deal..BUT... it would take me around 9 years to use it all as the measurements say 'Dogs/Greyhounds: 50iu or as required', the small end of the scoop holds 220iu (3.5g) which means that a dog should have around 1/4 scoop, BUT, as Westies weigh around 8kg, and according to the weight/dosage rate I worked it out a being about 1 pinch per dog per day. Sooooo, I put some in a little jar for my use and gave the rest to a friend who has miniature horses :laugh: It may be better to just buy a general vitamin and mineral supplement like this one--> http://ovedshorseandpetstore.com.au/Dog-Products/General-Vitamins-Minerals/4234-Aristopet-Multivitamin-Mineral-Tablets-100-s.html Edited as the side of my brain that controls spelling is on Sunday-mode Thanks B. I've seen some stuff like that at the Burnside Pet Store so willl have a look there during the week. Greyhound Products Direct might have something too. :)

Hey thanks B, will give it a go. Do you know doggie Vit E dosages by any chance? Thanks tons :) Mac went to see his favourite vet this morning for a 12 monthly check. As part of that we've done bloods so will get the results of that next week. Preventative only - not expecting anything untoward - just think 12 monthly bloods in an almost 13 year old is a good idea so hopefully I can jump on anything he is brewing early. Apart from that he's doing really really well for an old boy. Although a bit distracted by every smell in the dog park last week, he was really spritely and trotted around with his ears and tail up looking very happy - made his mother happy too! Its awesome you are starting to do the bloods. It makes catching little things early soooo much easier!! I hope you get some really healthy 'base line' bloods back Thanks J. Yes I hope so too - this is the second year for Mac - this time last year I got an excited call from the vet saying the results were 'perfect' - so expecting the same again. Will do Sarah as well when she turns 12 or sooner if finances allow. But no reason to suspect anything with the others so willl wait until finances improve to do them too. :)

Hey thanks B, will give it a go. Do you know doggie Vit E dosages by any chance? Thanks tons :) Mac went to see his favourite vet this morning for a 12 monthly check. As part of that we've done bloods so will get the results of that next week. Preventative only - not expecting anything untoward - just think 12 monthly bloods in an almost 13 year old is a good idea so hopefully I can jump on anything he is brewing early. Apart from that he's doing really really well for an old boy. Although a bit distracted by every smell in the dog park last week, he was really spritely and trotted around with his ears and tail up looking very happy - made his mother happy too!