Any advice?

[Voulez-vous]

I have a Westie. She's a really tough little girl, but SO many problems!

Our first problem was pyometra............poor little lass....but solved that!

Constant skin and ear problems now. Have done a complete ear flush (vets) but problem keeps coming back.

Right now, she has a sore tummy (keeps chewing) and is holding an ear on one side that I know means it hurts. Vet did say that perhaps she may need to be on steroids for the rest of her life, or test to see what she is allergic to.

I can't afford to test (no insurance)......I guess I will have to afford the steroids (and I'm told that will shorten her life).

Anyone got ANY ideas how to help with Westie skin and ear problems?

[ruthann58]

have you tried piriton for her skin allergy buy it from the chemist its cheaper then from the vet we have a beagle and she is allowed 1 ,3 times a day so i would think a half 3 times a day would be enough for a westie

[seadogg]

One of my border terriers had dry skin problems and a neighbour suggested adding pilchard (any oily fish will do). It worked for my Meggie. John Burns have a fishy treat and also do Ocean Bites. They have a moist food based on non allergenic materials for people too busy to cook at home. Google John Burns and the site will include an 0800 number for advice. They also send samples on request. If you feed a dry food or "kibble" served with a pilchard or sardine you dog may eat it. This is only what worked for me. I know Westies can be prone to skin problems.

[Voulez-vous]

ruthann58 This is most interesting! Is that the same piriton my sis gets for her hayfever?

I would like to try it, but obviously don't want to harm my dog!

My blooming local chemist are overly cautious, so if I try to buy Piriton they question me..............guess I will sneeze and claim allergy...........Mwahahaha!

[Voulez-vous]

Thanks seadogg! My doggies problems are not just dry skin............her tummy is red raw...........

She is hyper allergic I think.

I'm going to try to change her diet, but also buy some piriton and see if it helps.

[albaqwerty]

I'd suggest boiling chicken (on the bone but don't give the bones to her) also boil carrots and peas. No salt.

At the back of my brain there is a cream but my brain cell is dead at the moment. Sorry.

[ruthann58]

yes the same as humans take piriton NOT pirtiteze vet told me only to use that and not any other allergy tablets i think superdrug do their own brand

[seadogg]

http://burnspet.co.uk/

Here is the website Voulez vous. Whatever you decide its worth a look.

[ruthann58]

also camrosa ointment is very good but expensive to help her tummy heal

[Voulez-vous]

ruthann58, I'm going to try this! Will get back to you if it helps!

Thank you EVERYONE, you have all been so kind.

Many thanks x

[ruthann58]

hope something helps bless her , am very lucky as the vet i try to see when we need one is an older vet who is very cost aware and he told me to buy hibisrcub and piriton from boots as they would be cheaper, good luck will keep thinking and if anything else occurs to me i will post

[Voulez-vous]

thanks ruthann58, very much appreciated! x

[jules77]

Lots of home made dog recipes here to give you an idea.

http://www.collienet....dog-food-recipes.html

I would go with chicken/fish, spinach and carrots, my local butcher sells chicken pet mince for 70p per llb, so it is probably cheaper than the Cesar pouches. Put the spinach in at the end when you have turned the heat off as it only needs cooking for 30 seconds or so.

[Voulez-vous]

Thanks Jules. Will give it a go.

[lankeela]

At the risk of Ratter saying 'I told you so' why not try a raw meat diet? There are lots of websites with info and you can easily prepare you own or just feed chicken wings raw.