Thanks for posting this update @Derek-Groves , our Chance is 16 and he has had seizures most of his life. It just started out of nowhere when he was a few years old and for a number of years, we tried all kinds of natural and non-natural medications. We tried Chinese herbs, CBD, diet changes then the typical meds like phenobarbitol, all somewhat helped, but he would still have recurring seizures several times a month, or sometimes a week. All in all, he probably had 100 seizures in his lifetime, but luckily no major damage other than he is a bit wobbly and has head tremors once in a while. It does not seem to bother him though and he is otherwise healthy and active for a 16 yr old. Once I found Keppra through trial and error we stuck with it and that seemed to have been the best way to curb the seizures. We went from monthly to maybe once in a few years, during major events like a house move. Today he is on 250mg of Keppra + Zonisomide every 12 hours and that does the trick, if he does have a sezure (we also have concentrated CBD tincture, which we keep bedside, injecting it into his mouth gets him out of it pretty quickly and speeds up recover. We ended up sticking a particular manufacturer for Keppra (Lupin labs), just to make sure no formula variation is introduced.
Basenji in Alaska
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little shoes for sure when we dropped to 15 below with wind chill Jaycee had coat and boots went out did her potty fast and just sat down she was all ready cold. We had to carry her in and we wrapped her in blanket and held her for about 1/2 hour. Good luck
Rita Jean
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Here is the site Pat used to make the boots shown below in the picture. Pat makes her own coats, but apparently you can buy Parkas with hoods on line somewhere. This is what she said about starting to wear the boots.
http://domestikgoddess.com/sew-your-own-winter-dog-boots/
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Yeah i was wondering about the Basenji keeping the booties on. Since when ever I put anything on Mali she acts like one of those cats with tape stuck to all four paws…. She is VERY clever (as all 'senjis are), I can see how putting her out in the cold for a bit before hand would make her think :
"Oh hey.... it's cold out here on my feets! MOOOOM!!!!"
I already have a couple of sweaters we've bought for her for the not-so-cold Florida winters and she seems to do fine with them. Next time I go to the local Pet Supermarket I'll ask them if they have any coats made for colder weather.
Thank you everybody you've been SO helpful! Please feel free to continue with comments and suggestions! I want to make sure my dog is well cared for in the cold weather!
(By the way, I got a sewing machine for Christmas, so I'm super excited about trying to make those booties! Thanks for the link!) -
I think you might find better coat (and bootie) options on line… I think a couple of sites have been posted
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I agree Pat. I would look for one that specifically caters to northern areas. I would think FL stores would be more the light jacket type.
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I've made a bunch of coats for my basenjis out of old sweatshirts, they are not hard to make yourself for playtime. Mushers secret or badger balm is also essential for paws and ears in cold weather, it will keep them from getting chapped and split, you can find it online at Amazon and first aid sites.
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Check out the sites that carry booties for sled dogs. They are made to stay put (of course, probably never tested on Basenjis!!)
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I've never used Montana Dogware coats, but I've seen them on other dogs & think they look nice. Also, if you go on their website, they have a photo gallery of dogs wearing their coats that happy customers have sent in. On the "medium dogs" gallery, there are a TON of basenjis (almost half the pictures are of basenjis it seems), and many of them are listed as living in Alaska, Canada, etc. So it appears, if the pictures & captions are truthful advertisements of happy, warm basenjis, that Montana Dogware would be a good choice.
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there are a TON of basenjis (almost half the pictures are of basenjis it seems), and many of them are listed as living in Alaska, Canada, etc.
Sorry Andrew-had to laugh when I read this part.LOL A lot of people still equate Canada with tons of snow and colder than cold weather. I'm still laughing.
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I saw that you have a sewing machine – its not hard to make your own coat. I made one for my previous beasties with fleece and wool. I made it with a high colar (for the backside of the neck) and an indentation for the tail and a big belly and chest band (I used snaps at first but then switched to velcro). It worked pretty good for our single digit temps (and the occasional below zero walks to the corner). My current beastie refuses to go out the door with a coat on, however. When the outside temps are below 10F she won't stay outside any longer than necessary to go potty - the squirrels can run around all they want then!
With respect to booties, mine will at least tolerate them when we go for walks but it's more for the road salt. However, the good pair I bought this year leak somehow (maybe through the stitching?) and she doesn't like them with they get wet inside. Nevertheless be sure you get the best you can find.