My last Westie had the dreaded Westie itch until I changed to a completely raw food diet after reading an article by a guy from Honolulu :Here.
Within a month the itching had subsided to a point that convinced me it was working and after 3 or 4 months he had a reasonably normal skin. Kept him on it until he died a couple of years ago at 18 with no major health issues and only one tooth cleaning needed in the 10 years or so he was on it. I'm not saying it's the answer for your dog but it certainly worked for mine
Bob ..been having a laugh to myself about those of us that have responded to a thread called "Anal gland experts".I initially thought it was one of your tongue in cheek posts.
I nearly split my sides laughing when "janus" responded..I would have stayed quite.
No disrespect to any posters ( I was one)just though it really funny but to be serious it has hopefully helped with the dogs problems.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 27/10/2015
Bob ..been having a laugh to myself about those of us that have responded to a thread called "Anal gland experts".I initially thought it was one of your tongue in cheek posts.
I nearly split my sides laughing when "janus" responded..I would have stayed quite.
No disrespect to any posters ( I was one)just though it really funny but to be serious it has hopefully helped with the dogs problems.
I pinched the title from the Flapjacks Experts thread but I bet more people open an anal thread than a flapjack one
Thank you Duffs and Harpmaker for the links...interesting reading. In fact my vet had previously mentioned adding raw vegetables to the dog's food...she'll get better fed than I do!
Westies were originally bred for badger baiting...perhaps if I fed her raw badger it might do the trick
My parents' border collie had very sensitive skin (her chest would get so inflamed and itchy her white 'bib' looked pink, poor girl) - they eventually got it under control with piriton to calm it, then evening primrose oil given every day (all on the advise of the vet). Deefa always had a problem with freshly mown grass (a bit of an issue for a camping dog!), but the piriton calmed it quickly, and the long-term evening primrose oil really seemed to help otherwise.
I hope you get some relief for your westie - it's horrible to see them is discomfort.
At the moment the injection given by the vet seems to be working and my dog seems a lot more comfortable and has now stopped licking and biting her rear end. I have the Piriton tablets supplied by the vet on standby should the problem re-occur and as soon as I can I will be getting some bran to give that a try although Chappie is supposed to be mostly cereal anyway.
Our dog had hers removed by the vet as they were not emptying on their own. Not looked back since and that was about 7 years ago. She is fed on a good diet and always has been, some dogs are just prone to it.
The operation is simple and recovery is very quick - next day back to normal. Better than pumping them full of chemicals through injections and tablets all the time.
You can buy Piriton far cheaper form the chemist, than a vets, just don't mention that it is for an animal or they wont sell it to you!!
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
I agree in trying a raw diet...you can buy it pre-prepared if you don't fancy doing it yourself, nutriment, natures menu, natural instinct etc. Because they use most of it up, there is very little waste and what there is, is nice and firm and so is supposed to squeeze the anal glands as it comes out.
I wanted to feed our dog raw, but she won't eat it, so she gets a lightly steamed version from natures menu.