WESTIE SKIN PROBLEMS
Protocol of the WHWTCC Westie Rescue
www.whwtcc.org/westierescue

This information is garnered from the experiences of the West Highland White Terrier Club of California’s Rescue dealing with the skin problems that are typical of ‘puppy mill/pet store’ or ‘backyard breeder’ Westies. While we are critical, this document is not meant in any way to disparage breeders or Veterinarians in general. Rather it is a document that identifies the steps we have found are most effective at dealing with typical Westie skin problems.

If you receive a dog with even the slightest hint of a skin problems, usually seen as excessive scratching to the point of black, thick-textured skin (a condition called Malassezia), skin patches with no hair, open and bleeding sores or simply a dog who cannot stop scratching and biting his/her skin; the following steps are necessary.

First: check the ingredients of the food that the dog has been previously fed to identify their primary protein source.
The very best diet we recommend is the ARF diet (Appropriate Raw Foods). All the information about feeding what is natural for a dog to eat and more importantly, why, is on our website along with recommended brands. (Go to CARE & FEEDING on the top of the page) You will be delighted with the result pertaining to the digestive system of your dog and the near odorless excrement not to mention cleaner teeth, better muscle tone and coat. While quality raw food can be delivered frozen or freeze dried to you home, many private pet supply stores carry both Frozen and Freeze Dried. We find that this method of feeding helps tremendously with skin problems. We have Westie owners thank us all the time for this information.

If you want to feed a partial diet of kibble then we do list a number of kibble brands on our web site, again under CARE & FEEDING on the top of the page.

These include: Dr.Burns Mini Bites, Solid Gold Holistic, Nature’s Variety Prairie, and other brands which specifically do NOT include Soy, Corn, Corn Byproducts, Wheat, Wheat Byproducts, Grain, Grain Byproducts. Experience has taught us that foods sold in some Veterinary offices may be particularly poor as a new diet source for Westies. Please stick with the food recommended on our site.

If the dog’s skin is in extremely poor condition it is probably best to change the primary protein source. For example if the original food was based upon a chicken protein then switch to beef, duck, rabbit, venison, buffalo or fish based foods. Sadly we have learned that many dog food manufacturers will label their foods as ‘good for dogs with sensitive skin’ and it will still contain those items listed above which are severely detrimental to a Westies skin. Also, do not be misled just because the packaging states “natural” or holistic”.

Supplements: give Omega 3 oil...fish oil...you may open the capsule and put on the food, or when a liquid is available just pour it on the kibble.
Omega3 oils are not required if you are using Burns Kibble or Primal Pet Food.

Second: Immediately start Malaseb shampoos at least daily for 5 to 7 days. Then reduce baths to 2 or 3 shampoos per week. Most of our volunteers agree that the Malaseb Spray does little to help the itching. All volunteers should have two bottles of Malaseb on hand, one for use on their foster dogs and one for distribution to adoptive families. Please go to our website and order your supply by going through the VetAmerica.com logo on the Donation/Affiliates page. Foster volunteers may have this expense reimbursed.

Third: For more extreme skin problems you will want to consult with your veterinarian. At this point you should request a skin “scraping” to determine presence of: yeast, bacteria, staph, demodex mites, or scarcoptic mange. Note: a skin sample with clear tape will ONLY identify Yeast. And, since it is difficult to find, mange may require scraping a number of sites to verify its presence or lack of presence.

For Yeast, your Vet should recommend oral Ketoconazole or Fluconazole, these may be sold by your Vet, but with a prescription they are cheaper at Costco, Walmart, Longs, Etc. Malaseb baths should be continued.

For Bacteria, your Vet should recommend an oral antibiotic. Malaseb baths should be continued.

NOTE: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GIVE PREDNISONE (STEROIDS) TO CONTROL THE SCRATCHING THEY EXCAERBATE ANY YEAST INFECTION. GENERIC BENADRYL AND OTHER ANTIHISTAMINES MAY HELP CONTROL THE SCRATCHING. THE MALASEB BATHS SHOULD HELP GREATLY AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAILY BATHS.

For Demodex, your Vet should recommend an extended period of oral Ivermectin, with oral antibiotics. Maleseb baths should be continued.

For Scarcoptic Mange, your Vet should recommend recurrent doses of ‘Revolution’ a flea medication and oral medication as well. Sometimes Ivermectin is prescribed rather than Revolution. Both are acceptable.

If none of the above conditions are identified the Vet may determine that the scratching is due to Atopic Dermatitis, which means skin allergies not related to the above infections or parasites. The best treatment is Cyclosporine (NOT steroids) that is available as the very expensive-branded Atopica, or with a prescription generic Cyclosporine may be obtained at your pharmacy for a much better cost factor. If the Atopic Dermatitis returns after treatment, it may become necessary to have a Blood Allergy Panel completed. These are useless when food allergies are causative but will clearly identify environmental causes. Your Vet can assist you with methods to minimize environmental causes. Food allergy identification requires beginning a new food regimen and limiting food intake to the specific food for 12 weeks to evaluate any relief provided.

IMPORTANT: IF THE VET YOU ARE SEEING REFUSES TO LISTEN TO OUR EXPERIENCE OR RECOMMENDS GREATLY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS...WRITE DOWN WHAT THE VET IS RECOMMENDING AND WHY, THEN CONTACT OUR WESTIE RESCUE BEFORE PURCHASING MEDICATIONS AND BEGINNING TREATMENT. DEPENDING ON YOUR AREA CONTACT YOUR NEAREST VOLUNTEER (they are listed on our website, under ‘Contact’) FOR A RECOMMENDED VET. MANY VETS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ‘BREED PEOPLE’ KNOW THEIR BREED BEST. SOME VETS DO NOT. WE HAVE HAD MANY POOR EXPERIENCES AND WE HAVE HAD MANY GREAT EXPERIENCES.

Remember, it took the poor Westie a while to get in his condition so it will take a while for healing to take place as well. Don't fret over him/her. Dogs learn from up and are extremely sensitive to our feelings. You want him/her to be as stress-free as possible.