I mix a little pumpkin into my B's food several times a week. Most dogs like it, and it's good for their digestive track. I buy organic when it's available, but you can always find Libby's 100% pure pumpkin (no sugar) and it's often on sale for $1 a can. The OP hasn't returned, so I hope that's a sign that the sick little guy is doing better.

I agree with Buddys Pal… if they didn't do either urinalysis or xray, I'd get them done. If you have a sick dog and the vet just sort of says "oh well, blood work looks okay".. may be time for a new vet. Something is obviously wrong.

Hi jetred, From your post a year ago… this is exactly the type of information I'm searching for, "I know this might not be survivable for her but I can't find any advice on how to get a dog through cancer, what to look out for, when is she truly in pain, what spindle cell does over time and when is enough for her and time to set her free." So I am wondering, what was your plan with Luna? How did you make decisions? What information did you learn that you think is important to know about the spindle cell cancer disease process? I have a 15 yr old girl (aussie shepard mix) who is in good spirits, enjoys slow short walks, putting her nose in the wind, eating, etc all normally. We've had two surgeries already to debulk the tumor on her rear leg. One in 2013, and the second recently in June from which she recovered well for her age. Though it returned quickly (3 mos) and larger this time. It's now an open lesion. I am both astounded and perplexed at how she acts pretty normal given this! My vet (who is a new vet to us as I just moved) initially discussed end of life decisions and then also offered amputation as an option to consider. I would so appreciate any thoughts you have and/or hear more about your story. Thank you.

@tanza: IMO this is just skin pigment… if it is not bothering her... would not be worried Except >> l the surface is a bit rougher than the other parts<< … which definitely fit Arwen's condition and was not just skin pigment changes.

Again, research has disproven it… and Karen Becker is hooey.

@eeeefarm: Thanks for adding the overhead shots. Definitely not overweight…...she looks good! I am curious, however, about how judges react to Basenjis that are not within breed standard height and weight? This is not a criticism of your girl, just curiosity. Having been involved with horse breeders for some time, and also having watched what happens in other dog breeds when a particular trait becomes popular, I do wonder if judges will "reward" breeders for bringing off type (in this case, large) dogs to the ring? Selective breeding can make lots of changes without going outside a closed registry. (e.g. Arab horses with exaggerated flat croups and extreme dished faces, GSDs with increasing slope to their toplines, etc.) Judges judge what is in the ring on that day… since there is NO DQ for size and certainly they are not weighed... if they are over/under by an inch or so, no biggy. Basenjis over the years that I have shown, run the course... couple years bigger, couple of years smaller, rest of the time pretty much on the mark. The only time it really "sticks" out is if there is one very large and one very small in the ring at the same time.

eeeefarm- what a good idea! thanks. I will definitely ask the people at class to practice with us that way and see what happens.

Thank you all.

Well, it describes something, but the context is not all there. How old is she? maybe 'menstrual' cramps? all species seem to take on really bizarre quirks at this time…. If she is older and spayed, then anything from soft tissue to musculoskeletal pain or discomfort. ?internal organ pain????? maybe a trip to your DVM as an exam or bloodwork may help rule out a specific problem......

Just a thought on assuming your experiences are the only one, I have never had a dog in my 58 years of life with "winter ear", but I am intelligent enough not to assume that means that isn't it. And I also don't consider finding out what is wrong with your pet to be a "waste of money." Doing rescue, I have seen mange more times than I care to remember. But scraping can reveal other issues also. So if it clears up, fine. If it seems to be taking too long or not totally healing, more than worth the money. But let's let vets give you the list of causes: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/ear_disorders_of_dogs/disorders_of_the_outer_ear_in_dogs.html

Sorry no one saw this earlier. I think we need some more info. Are the kids and basenji going to be living together or just visiting? Age of kids? Age of basenji? Has the basenji been around kids before? Are the kids respectful of the basenji? Do the kids tend to run out the door w/o closing it? Are they old enough to help clicker train the basenji? There's a lot of info on the web about kids and dogs, I'd start with Dr Sophia Yin or Dr Patricia McConnell. Basenjis can be less tolerant than other breeds, but they can get on fine with considerate children.

Pat.. you know I saw your post and thought HUH? Then reread and saw I TOTALLY missed the itching sentence. No, I'm not tired! :) Agree with Pat, could be fleas, could be other things. I'd flea comb the base and see if you find flea dirt, fleas, scabs etc. If the coat in general is good, and you find nothing combing and bathing doesn't help, rubbing a little anti-itch med into the base and distracting til it dries might help.

This is a late answer but for someone who might read this in the future we will post it anyway. The risk is much higher to the animal and it certainly raises the risk the animal bleeding out. There is also more swelling. We were going to have our Show Basenji spayed this year. She went into heat slightly early and our vet said that we should wait until after the heat was over before he felt comfortable doing the spay for the reasons mentioned.