Basenji Health Issues & Questions

@zande said in Help - Kiya is having a diarrhea bout for months: wish we humans could get the same benefit from Vitamin B12 as an aside: Humans need all of the B Vitamins for B12 to work it's magic. B12 alone will not do the trick, I take a "Super B Complex" vitamin every day for exactly this reason!

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.

@lustopher You should not use Frontline as well as Drontal and Nexgard. I will phone my vet if you like to check. But I am sure he took me right off Frontline when he put the pack on to Nexgard. Drontal - three monthly - should not be given within 14 days of Nexgard. So wait a fortnight after a dose and then give it. That I am sure of ! It is written on the packets -

@scagnetti said in Soft-Serve Stool: I wouldn't be surprised if you found studies that report conflicting results. That is almost always the case, isn't it ? One man's meat is indeed another man's poison - - -

@elbrant That's good to know! We are in Kansas where pollen and allergies are rampant lol, I am wondering more if that's what it is since the build-up isn't increasing very quickly at all. Seems to be worse after we spend a while outside.

@dogo-0 said in 8 month old basenji pup with hair loss on the ear tips: when I scratch the tip of her ears, it looks like dirt is coming off If you live in a particularly cold climate, the edges of your pups ears may have a touch of frostbite. That would explain the dark skin cells that are sloughing off when you scratch or rub at her ear tips. Try to protect her ears in the cold. Be gentle when you rub the ends. Depending on the severity, consult your Veterinarian, antibiotics may be needed.

@emilia May we know just why you have decided to spay her now ? Unless spaying her is going to substantially improve her quality of life, I would advise against it.

@lustopher - Well, when you see him sniffing around the house, pick him up and take him out... and tell him to go potty... you might want to try if it is really that cold and the ground is cold, get a bale of straw and put that on the ground.... might encourage him to pee there... same with pooping, when he starts to run around take him out to the straw area... might help..

@sanjibasenji My saw is getting blunt ! I had a job sawing up yesterday's bone into manageable pieces ! But they do last weeks, sometime months.

@sanjibasenji - Unless you know what the problem would be or the result, do not just try "home" stuff... Frito Feet is comment in Basenjis for feet and DO not indicate a problem! If they are not excessive licking their feet, it should not be a problem.

@obi1 said in Ear Rash. Dog Ear Vasculitis: Do you know of better ear muffs? Obi, I saw a funny looking knitted cap that might fit over Basenji sized ears on etsy.com. I think it would help prevent the ear edges and tips from becoming frostbitten. The shop seems to focus on Cats, but the owner appears to be willing to do special orders. Worth a try....

@jkent - My Franie has phantom pregnancy, but hers comes to light about 60 to 70 days after her cycle which would be after she would have had babies (and she has never been bred). She attaches herself to ONE toy and only when she is this the cycle. She carries it around, crying, digging, and she will put the toy to bed in her crate and then come sleep in bed.. LOL! She knows exactly were this "baby is" every year... and this has been going on for 12 years... LOL. She put this baby away until the next year (in the toy box). This lasts for about two weeks, give or take.

Longtime member, not active. Had a basenji with the same diagnosis back in 2004. He took a tremendous amount of bicarb each day, his Fanconi was being well managed, but he started having seizures at night. Our vet gave us something to stop the seizure that we'd administer rectally. We kept track of the number of seizures and they started becoming more frequent, to about twice a week, if I recall. The final seizure he had he went temporarily blind and howled and howled and we knew that was it was time. I just sat on the floor with him and cried. A couple months later we looked at photos we had taken of him right before and he looked very, very tired. Very much the hardest thing we had ever done was to let him go across the Bridge, but after looking at those photos, we had done the right thing. Our vet had told us that it was possible he would have a seizure and not come out of it, and we certainly didn't want that.

@allisonmosley I find myself back here searching life expectancy as my Mya ages. She had 2 seizures on 12/21/21 and 7 seizures over a 12hr period on 1/10/22. I am surprised she has lasted so long with Fanconi, but as I revisit the Gonto Protocol I see GME and seizures mentioned. Just part of getting older it seems for some basenjis.

For veggies I use raw broccoli and cauliflower in the bags, steam them in our steamer and it is enough for the 2 for 4 or more days mixed with their regular kibble. Mine prefer steamed rather than frozen, that said they love frozen french fries...LOL

@helle-devi - I still do not recommend Lepto vaccine. Too many Basenjis have had reaction to it. That said, if you are in an area with high issues with Lepto, you need to weigh averages. Lepto is typically found around standing water and usually from other dogs.... How much of an increase? Is your Basenji usually on leash? And if you decide to get the vaccine I would make sure it is separate from any other vaccines by at least two to three weeks. Then if you have a reaction you know it is from the Lepto shot. Also you should do Titer Test before giving shots (except Rabies since that is required by laws of each state). Many times doing a titer test will show that a dog is fully covered and do not need a booster. My C-Me will be 12 on Christmas Eve. She had her 1yr booster and never has needed one since. My Franie (will be 12 in January) needed a booster at age 9.

@italeigha I've tagged this pamphlet before so you may wish to search the forum for the link which may still work. https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet It's full of facts and studies and Liz McCargo uses it as her reference. There's a free read-only version if you'd search: PUPPY CULTURE SPAY/NEUTER BOOKLET. Title page attached, if allowed. [image: 1640079058258-2.jpg]

@tanza things have changed here, and not for the better. When I was first passed (by the Kennel Club) to give CCs the criteria was you must have had 100 dogs under you at open show level and have judged a club Open Show. Within a few years judges who had had less than 30 dogs under them in Opens were awarding CCs. Heaven alone knows what the criteria is now.

@evee said in TPLO surgery vet suggestion: i suggest you use this product I'm glad that worked for you, but unless it's made from kevlar .... doodle would rip it to shreds!

@bark - Have known Ann for a long, long time. Her first girl came from me in 2000 that was when our relationship began. That was Crystal.