Recently my Westie looked like he was dead literally, he was laying on the floor very still and his tounge had turned white. Before we knew it he keeled over on the floor wew took him out side and let him relax in the fresh air that did not work so I took him to the Vet and they told me that he had epilespy and that it is common in most Westies. The question I have is . Is this true? Will I have to keep an eye out for him? Should I get him some kind of medicine?
Please let me know as the thought of loosing my little man would tear me up inside.

Thank you,Michelle
Michellelea7142aol.com

With any luck Westie Lover will be along shortly to offer her thoughts on this subject, but in the mean time take a look at this link Canine Epilepsy.

So sorry to hear that your westie maybe suffering from epilepsy. Please do not despair, I lived with a dog for 14 years that suffered from epilepsy. It was manageable and he did not appear to suffer, lived life to the full.
Please contact The Canine Epilepsy Support Group, they are a charity and can be contacted on 08707 469329 or you can write to Westholme, 21 Sea Lane, East Preston, Littelhampton, West Sussex BN16 1NH. There is always someone available to help people in distress with epileptic animals.

Hi Michelle,

I personally do not have any experience or first hand knowledge of epilepsy in westies and as far as I am aware it is not really that common in westies at all or certainly not more common in westies than other breeds. I form this opinion from the westie breeders I have asked approx 20 plus. I am sorry I cannot give more accurate info.

I saw your post and could not immediately answer it so posted the question on one or 2 westie groups I am on, some of the members have 30+ years experience. Not one had personal experience of it with their westies , one did say that it is known for vets to say it is epilepsy when in fact it is not that at all or at least not 100% confirmed. I am however not discrediting your vet if that is what he says and it is always best to go with the assumption he is right.

Fits can be caused by various things such as liver shunt, infections, low blood sugar, thiroid problems, diabetes. The list goes on. For epilepsy to be 100% diagnosed your dog would need to be tested for it.

If you vet is confident that this is what is wrong then if the dog requires medication your vet should prescribe it. If he hasn't then he may feel the dogs doesn't need it. I would personally ask him. Also ask for a bit more details as there is varying degrees of epilepsy. The drug that I believe is used to control Epilepsy is called Phenobarbital. Maybe Pat can confirm this.

Even if it is true that you dog has epilepsy it can be controlled for the rest of the dogs life so I would not overly worry yet. I would advice you to speak to your vet again and raise your concerns. Maybe jot you corncerns on a note pad so you can remember everything you wanted to ask.

Sorry I am not more help. I wish you good luck with your dog.

BFN Pamela

Hi Pamela, I am new to the site and noticed you had xxx amount of years experience with Westies, I am a novice with this type of breed, but I am totally besotted with my little Westie bitch, 10 months old. I am now looking for a companion for her and would like to know if I should get a male or female for her. I would appreciate your advice,

Many thanks

Rita

rita.callaghan@ntlworld.com

Hi Rita,

Oh gosh I wished :-) I am a novice also, only had them a few years so can only go on my on experience. There are a few westie people on the group also though.

My thoughts are opposite sexes are always great for companions BUT unless they are dressed/spayed there are a lot of things to take into consideration, such as when your bitch is in heat/season. If she has not been spayed you would have to keep them seperated which is very difficult and sometimes is a bit cruel to the male if he knows the bitch is there, Males will also mark territory with a unspayed bitch. ( certainly with the westies in my experience).

From this my personal opinion is to keep the same sex unless they are dressed. Sometimes bitches can be more snappy at each other but I think once they have sorted out the pecking order this should settle down.

Not sure if I have been much help or not but I guess I am saying think about if they are going to be dressed etc first and from that decision you can then decide on sex.

Hope this helps even just a little. :-)

Pamela

You can mail me if you like and I can pass on a couple breeders details if you like.
preidie@yahoo.com

If your girl is spayed or you plan to spay her then really either sex will work out fine.