Westie Health

Body temperature  100.9-101.7 F
Pulse rate                 70-100 beats per minute
Respiration               15-30 breaths per minute
Life Span                   12-15 Years
Sexually mature:      Six to 12 months  

When in any doubt about your Westie's health, call a vet  immediately.  It costs nothing to speak with them on the phone, and very little for a check-up.  BE SAFE  NOT SORRY!  

Shots

Between six and sixteen weeks of age, puppies lose the disease protection they received from their mothers and become able to form their own immunity to disease. Until your pup is four or five months old, try to prevent contact with stray or sick dogs. Avoid boarding your pup or taking her to places like highway rest stops where lots of other dogs go to the bathroom. Beginning about7 weeks, your puppy will get his first puppy shot. Discuss with your vet the type of vaccines your pup needs. About twelve weeks your pup will need a rabies shot, boostered a year later and then one to three years after that, based on your state of residence. (Source: DownSouthWesties.com)

Over-vaccination 
A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual re-vaccinations. Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccinations. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal. Successful vaccination to most bacterial pathogens produces an immunologic memory that remains for years, allowing an animal to develop a protective anamnestic (secondary) response when exposed to virulent organisms. Only the immune response to toxins requires boosters (e.g. tetanus toxin booster, in humans, is recommended once every 7-10 years). And no toxin vaccines are currently used for dogs and cats. Furthermore, revaccination with most viral vaccines fails to stimulate an anamnestic (secondary) response as a result of interference by existing antibody (similar to maternal antibody interference). The practice of annual vaccination in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy unless it is used as a mechanism to provide an annual physical examination or is required by law (i.e., certain states require annual revaccination for rabies). 
Summary: Yearly "boosters" are unnecessary, provide no benefit if given (will not increase immunity). Thus boosters are either a legal issue (Rabies) or a manipulation issue (inducing clients to come in for examination rather than directly suggesting an examination).  (source: HappyHealthyDogs.com)

To determine whether your dog really needs another vaccination, when your vet tells you to come in for his annual booster shot, ask them if they can do a titer test instead. A titer test is where the vet will draw his blood and test it to see is it still has a sufficient amount of antibodies against a certian disease. If so, there is no need to revaccinate.  

Worming

Roundworms and Hookworms should be treated with a good medicine recommended by your vet. Treat them at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks.  Adult Westies should be wormed every 4-5 months.

Tapeworms are treated better with prescription rather than non-prescription medications.

Heartworms

1. At three months, heartworm treatment should begin and continue monthly without fail. We reccomend Heartgard, as it is very effective and dogs love it.   
   
   Footcare 
   It is important to keep your Westie's feet in good condition. Your Westie will grow a lot of hair between his pads and that hair can become thick and uncomfortable. The hair can also trap objects picked up as they walk. During the summer months grass seeds are a problem with sharp barbs that penetrate deep into the hair and eventually into the dog's skin. Sores soon develop and can escalate into much more serious conditions.
2. Examine your Westie's feet regularly. If you have never done this before you may have some resistance.  Westies' feet are quite sensitive and they will pull away. Start by asking, "Give me your paw", and gently hold the paw giving a treat and praise. Once your Westie has confidence, you will be able to give the feet a good examination. Take a look at the pads. Make sure there are no sores. Examine in between the pads for lumps. If you spot any foreign objects, see if you can easily remove them. Take care not to tug hard on a trapped grass seed. It may be like a fishing hook, designed to go in, but not come out.

Westies lick their paws quite a lot. The hair on the feet will turn brown from being bleached by his saliva. This can be cured by  wiping his paws and mouth daily with a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide and giving your dog distilled water instead of tap, spring, or drinking water. However, there is a noticeable difference in a Westie cleaning himself and something that is irritating him. If your Westie seems to be bothered by something and you can't see anything, take him to your vet. Trim the hair away with blunt nose scissors. No need to remove it all, just shorten it to within 1/8 inch or so.  Take extra care not to cut too close and nip the skin. Always finish off with a treat and a big fuss. The more the praise, the better your pup will feel. Omega-3 fish oil capsules given twice daily help boost the immune system and keeps the skin from drying out.

Taking your Westies for a daily walk will help keep the nails in shape. You will only have to trim closely those on the outside of the paw. If you do not walk your dog often, you will have to pay closer attention to nail care. Clip or grind the nails about once a month. 

For detailed information on Westie genetic health problems, please visit the westiefoundation.org.