Dr. Moise determined Posey's heart was normal and explained that Westie hearts tend to be larger for the size of the dog, as is true for other breeds with their shape of body. However, Posey indeed did have a problem. Dr. Moise determined that she has probable West Highland White Terrier Lung Disease, for which there is no cure. I was dumbfounded and queried Dr. Moise about this disease as I had never heard of it. She explained that this is a pulmonary fibrosis seen in middle-aged to older Westies.
Clinical indications are troubled breathing, and in some dogs, coughing.
There are radiographic changes and the blood gasses are abnormal, showing hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the tissues. The cause is unknown. There are no medications that can cure the disease and dogs affected can live for months or years, depending on the severity. Dr. Jeffrey Toll concluded that Posey's cough could also be caused by a chronic or an allergic bronchitis, in addition to her probable lung disease, and that she would benefit most from very low doses of cortisone. Anna's symptoms had begun with rapid breathing, and tests showed she had a high white blood count that was being brought under control with antibiotics so that steroids could be given.