Cindy

Meet Cindy.  I was contacted by a family who wanted to give up their Westie since they were losing their home due to bankruptcy and could no longer care for her.   I was told she had “some allergy problems”.  When I visited that Saturday I was heartbroken to see her condition.
I was pretty sure it was a condition called Malassezia Dermatitis.  It is a yeast infection that causes the Westie to eventually lose his/her hair and the skin becomes black, crusty and oily with a musty odor.  Most times it is also accompanied by an ear infection.
Cindy had about 90% hair loss and could have been mistaken for a Chinese Crested.
But the friendly personality was still in place as she ran to get her ball for playtime, and rolled over for a tummy rub while I explained to her owner what I knew of the condition.
I left after being reassured that the owners would keep her in their home as long as possible while I worked out a solution.  Cindy is young, born in February 2002, and was not spayed, so I was concerned that she not fall into the wrong hands.
The logistics of arranging her vet appointment on a day when I could meet her family at a half way point took 10 days so I got them a special medicated shampoo to use in the interim.  I was pleased when I saw her days later, as her skin was already improved and some small amount of hair had begun to return.  The accompanying picture was taken then.
Cindy had been to the vet only once before, for “some puppy shots”, so we had quite a bit to do. Cathy Blacklock was along and we both tried to help soothe her.  Blood was drawn for tests, including heartworm and thyroid.  She got booster vaccines except rabies, as we thought that would be just too much for her right now. The suspected ear infection was confirmed and her skin was scraped to check for mange and/or mites.  Those tests were negative.   Dr. Moses’ diagnosis was indeed Malassezia.  We left with heartworm tablets, eardrops, two different antibiotics, a cream treatment to use after the medicated shampoos, and one worn out little Westie. But she was still giving kisses and tail wags.
Years ago, one of the very first rescues we did was Winston, who also suffered from this dermatitis, although I didn’t know the name then.  He was adopted by a wonderful retired couple who very carefully tended to his health until he passed away two years ago.  During his life they moved from Ohio to an island off the coast of South Carolina.   After his death, they called me to let me know they were visiting family in this area and had been considering another rescue adoption.  This was the day after we had rescued a stray from the Canton dog pound.  I had named him Salty from a sea faring story I had read.  Of course the island dwellers adopted him and have sent me pictures of him posed on a loveseat upholstered in a sailboat motif.  I telephoned the McLaughlins to tell them about Cindy and of course they offered to add her to the family.  Her name will be altered to Sandy to keep the ocean theme afloat. (pun)  She’s on the road to recovery and next week will be on the road to South Carolina.  By the time you read this we hope to hear that’s she’s had another good vet check up, and will be healthy enough for that rabies vaccination and spayed soon after.  I’ll keep you posted.  Thanks for donating to the rescue fund that makes this possible