Basenji Health Issues & Questions

Thanks for the update, poor Max, i hope his slipped disc gets better soon. Good news about his liver value

I hope it's nothing and easily taken care of.

thanks lvoss..

And you can search the forum for lots of information about shots and what is or is not needed. But as stated by renaultf1, rabies is a state required shot. Dogs get one as a puppy and then need another at 1 yr. After that it depends on your state, most are every 3yrs., but some (and some counties within a state) are every year

@AC~Akeyla: I was wondering when we should have our 1 year old B's checked for Fanconi? For some reason I thought they had to be a certain age. And what is the best way to go about getting them tested? And you are most likely thinking of the urine test strips, which was the only way to detect Fanconi before the DNA Test that is now widely used. Since Fanconi is a late onset, usually it was recommended that Basenjis be strip test with urine test strips beginning no later then age 3 (and tested once a month, every month). If you have a Basenji that DNA tests for Affected, then you still will need to start testing them monthly no later then age 3.

Glad to help…

Judy Schor's agility champion, Peaches, suffered a significant adverse reaction to a rabies booster. Judy has posted photos of Peaches and a letter from the vaccine manufacturer, Fort Dodge, offering a settlement to pay for medical treatment if they not disclose information about the claim. You can read the letter and see photos of Peaches at this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042916&id=1447415540&ref=mf .

@khanis: I did check with Pam and she said that Oregon does not have a red hue at all. So, not sure what you were seeing, just bad lighting I'd guesstimate. I just want to clear up one thing. I DID NOT say that Oreo had a red hue. I said he looked brownish in a certain light and I could see stripes. There are many shades of brown and brown does not automatically = red hue. ;) (For example: Chestnut brown and blackish/brown - blackish/brown was what I saw at the moment I was thinking of.) I wasn't saying he had a red undercoat like the pictures from Dan, he has a black undercoat and it takes a specific light to see the stripes. Yes, you are most likely right - weird lighting, he could have also just been dusty. I was simply agreeing with the original poster, Dan, when he said he had seen their b&w look brownish. It isn't unusual to see black (in general on anything) look like other colours depending on lighting - many times it looks blue. ;)

I can either carry him the rest of the walk, or turn back home, in which case he will then trot infront of me, glancing back to tell me I'm a good pet human… I love it..I laughed so hard when I read this..Otis is the same way if it rains..simply refuses to go any further and will park his behind on his hindlegs..god forbid it touches the wet ground..once I turn around and decide to go home again he is leading the way, glancing back at me at times.

i have no recepies, i make my own dog food most of the time as well and it is quite easy: cooked rice or cooked noodles ( I prefer noodles as that has more energy for my dogs ) then you add raw beef , mince, chicken, liver, kidneys , lamb whatever kind of meat, or fish ! and if you wish you can also add some mashed veggies and/ or herbs. By the way I only give noodles in the winter when they can use a bit more energy / fat. otherwise I mainly feed them raw and also bones and fresh tripe etc. But I guess that is not what you meant ;)

You know, at his age (and in my opinion) any elder dog, the goal is to get them to eat and keep them eating… so I don't stress out about kcal's too much particularly since I use Vit Supplements.

This could possibly be a minor epileptic attack. I have seen a video of many forms of these attacks (no basenjis) many of them very different and this was an example. A canine neurologist could confirm.

@Schouiffy: I like the Ruff wear boots. http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex?sc=2&category=11 They also have a all season boot. Lycia is weird then, she pretty much doesn't care what you put on her - that included her "panties" when she was in heat What size did you get your girl dog? The ones I just bought online only come up to Manah's big pad on her foot, they don't seem long enough…

I just use human cranberry pills.

Hi, I have had a similar problem with my (11-13? Y/O) Basenji female, Zeenie. She isn't blind but I know her vision isn't good. I know her blood sugar was somewhat abnormal at her last blood test, but like your dog, it was right after a seizure and I understand that is to be expected. Her first seizure was this past August and she has been to the vet several times for testing, etc. since. There is no conclusive diagnosis but 1/2 the dose of a 32.4 mcg pill of Phenobarbital twice daily (given religiously at 12 hour intervals) seems to eliminate the seizures altogether (knock on wood.) I don't know what our next step is. I know I don't want any thing invasive, but I also can't afford an MRI: maybe an EEG or CT scan? If there is anyone else out there with advice, that would be welcome. Anyway, if you need support or just want to vent or brainstorm together, please let me know. I am in NC in the US (EST.) and maybe we can exchange phone info later. Best of luck to you. I know how you feel. Lauma

+1. I've heard a few people I know have trouble with the spray. I bought the gel originally and while the kids don't love it, they tolerate it just fine. I'll stick with the gel - I've used it successfully for almost a year now.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. It has similar symptoms to to IBS, loose stools. Usually the dog also has a voracious appetite but no weight gain. Dogs with EPI once diagnosed are usually successfully treated with enzymes to break down their food so they can get the nutrients out of it.

@Vanessa: I was allergic to our basenji when he first came home. I would break out in a rash when he touched me. My eyes would water and become really itchy. Just wash your B and wipe him down a few days a week until you adjust. Also consider some allergy meds…Zyrtec works great and now you don't need a perscription. Agree, Zyrtec is a great drug for allergies, but can make some people very sleepy. There is a new prescription allergy treatment available called Xyzal that has shown equal symptom relief to Zyrtec in clinical trials, but has less sedation. However, I will warn you that it is very expensive!

@Kananga: I'll mention next time I visit the vet. Like she had told me, it's not anything that will be a hindrance on Kananga. He just needs to be at an ideal weight to reduce any risk of aggravating his knee. Other than that he can still be 100% active without any side effects. That's why she said it was a Grade 1 and not anything above that, it's minor. Have you told his breeder? And certainly something you want to share with his breeder… and something that his breeder should take into consideration when planning any future breedings.... as in checking his sire/dam and any offspring.... Regardless of the degree, it is a defect in breeding and needs to be considered for any breeder...