Is there a way to read the WDT timer/counter value?

How precise do you need it to be? You could set the WDT to e.g. 250ms and count the wake events until your external interrupt fires. This would give you a resolution of 0.25 seconds without introducing much time awake.
Also take into account that the WD timer is not very precise compared to the normal processor clock
[EDIT] set the WDT to interrupt mode, of course