Basenji Health Issues & Questions

@sharronhurlbut: As the test is easy and doesn't hurt the dog, why not test them all? Exactly… and hopefully before the end of the summer we will have a test for Fanconi....

Thank-you for the link, tanza! I bookmarked it in my favorites.

@Tayda_Lenny: I thought the Avoderm, Natures Variety, Solid Gold and Merricks were high quality foods… thats why I got them. I can get Innova or Natural Balance... I do look at the labels and make sure there's no by-products or grains in the first couple of ingredients... they seem to be over their yucky poo phase...I'll keep an eye on them. They are due for their yearly vet visit anyway, Those are good foods…. not sure why you might think they were not, but remember high quality or not, they might not suit all dogs... and it very well might have just been a bit of a tummy upset for both of them, not even related to the food.. just something to keep in mind...:)

They perscribed Batril for Caesar when he had a UTI and it fixed it up right away. What brand food are you using?

They perscribed Rimadly for Beta after her stomach exploratory procedure. I had to take her off of it when her GI was inflamed because the vet said it would be too harsh on her stomach. I suggest, if you arent already, to give the meds right after eating so the stomach is full.

Hmmm…My Jack doesnt do that at all, i wonder why its random. Ill have to waych for it now, lol.

Rascal has some serious stomach issues. The last time we fell off the wagon and didn't monitor her food intake well she developed pancreatitis. One piece of information our vet gave us, that I've begun to follow religiously, is to check the fat content in all of your treats and food. For a sensitive stomach it should be around 4-6 percent. Anything more is hard on the digestive tract. After checking most of the treats in the food aisle, and believe me I have, you'll see that the range falls anywhere from 4 up to 16 percent fat or more.

how big is the lump? it could be as simple as a pore clogged with oil. it can feel like a cyst and by massaging it you can get it to head over time. Or try a warm wash cloth. Shot reactions, like they said, are on the shoulder blades. Caesar has a reaction to a shot and his shoulder blew up to a softball size. The vet tech that gave a shot didnt insert it in the correct manner and it dissolved with time and a Benadryl shot. Does your pup react when you touch it like it might hurt? What size is it? When Cairo was being neutered the vet pulled two teeth (canine and molar) that were not completely out or pushed out by the new teeth. They didnt charge me that much because he was already asleep. This is a great time for them to inspect and fix anything. They charged me $50 for pulling a baby canine that didnt come out and a molar that was on its way out.

I was told Rimadyl can be harsh on the stomach and is too much for an irratable bowell. At least that is what my vet told me. Carafate may also be a good choice to try. If there is an ulcerated area in the intestines or stomach that may be slowly healing, this will coat it and help your little guy pass his stuff. If your guy had problems holding it he could have been so irritated that he couldnt hold it. Now that he has been on a bland diet and his lifestyle is normal, he is improving. Without doing a biopsy you cant determine that it is IBS< IPSID< or anything else. Prednisone sounds like a maintenance drug to use over time. Carafate will do nothing or help. You could still do the pred and see if it improves anything. Another option is a scope through the throat which can look into the upper intestine. Pepto bismol in small doses is okay but if given over a long period of time can also become irritating. Great for nausea and lets your pup eat. Pepsid AC is also great and reduces the acid. I think that the diet is bland enough that acid shouldnt be a big factor and pepsid and pepto arent really vital until your basenji wont eat or throws up a lot. Good luck and keep us posted!!

watch your basenji at the vet. Caesar gets nervous and blushes. Belly, ears, nose turns pink.

Baths are never considered "fun" at our house either :eek: it's more like when they see me attaching the spray hose to the sink they make a run for it. So I don't leave the water on the whole time. I get them wet :treat: lather them up :treat: rinse them off :treat: towel dry :treat: and off they go! I also don't run the water on their faces..water in the ears is awful. I use a damp cloth to clean their heads from ears to muzzle.

I have used it for about 3 months now. Seems to be doing good so far. I was Leary at first, I'm so used to the oral heart worm preventive !! Doesn't seem like something that goes on the skin could work as well. My Vet says it's great and she has been using it and advantage on her dogs since it came out.

@lmillermmms: we dont have any red ants in the area that we chain her up in. but there are some around my garden which is way in the back yard. but i do take her to this pond in my neighborhood where there are lots of bugs I would take her to the Vet… these will not go away by themselves

thanks, i guess it's just the snacks

Well, if a food allergy you have to figure out what is causing the food and then stop feeding it… We had to find food with no corn, which is one of the biggest causes of allergies along with Wheat... They will not stop and it will only get worse until you find the cause and eliminate it

I would guess from the rabies shot also… and when mine got them, it lasted about 8 wks... if I remember correctly..

I hate when they'd puke in my bed, especially on a work night at 2-3am. If they'd start with that gagging/warning sound I'd jump up and grab them or stick some paper or something under them.

I can't use the fish oil for my B since he is allergic to fish but I started using olive oil in his food (no nutitional value really) any other suggestions?

I buy the small ones so they can't steat them from each other…..

Yeah I can't believe he's allergic to chicken.