Basenji Health Issues & Questions

My previous beastie developed thyroid problems (and it took the vet a long time to figure it out too) but he wasn't put on soloxine. I can't remember the name of the meds but it started with a b. He never had any siezures and he was on the meds for probably five years or so.

Not sure how Dr. G feels about doing blood gases before they start to spill… but I think it is a good thing...

Great news!

We use PetCare Insurance & considering how many times I've been to the Vet this year with one dog alone :eek: I think it's SO worth it :) I also think that if (heavens forbid) your dog ever got into a serious injury that required surgery or long term care that would be insanely expensive. And most people would opt not to go through with it at the risk of losing their beloved dog. Like most insurance policies you're paying a premium for the potential possibilities that you'll need it one day…life insurance (I've been paying forever & every year I neve cash in LOL :D), medical insurance, homeowners insurance...etc.

@tanza: And ever notice how they shed just going to the Vet… :( Only my OJ doesn't do that... he likes his Vets...) Nala does too. I end up with a Basenji hair sweater just from holding her in the office and exam room!

My boy seems to be able to hold it forever !!!!!! I am home most of the time but on the rare times I 'm out for a long period of time he has never had an accident. Even on Holidays when I have been gone for upto 12 hours. That is rare !!!!!

My wife's hand is worse where she can't bend her finger or lift objects. I finally got her to go to the doctor, they X rayed her hand and asked her how long she has had arthritis! So this is how she found out she has arthritis at age 48. It seems that her knuckle where she was bit has an inner infection, no broken bones, they put her hand & finger in a splint. The dog bite did not break the skin, but as any body who has been "really" bitten by a basenji knows they have bone crushing jaws. They leave horrible bruises even if they don't draw blood. The dog seems all better still, no more pain attacks. While petting him we noticed a scab on his ear after the fight. It goes all the way through his ear. The other dog bit a hole in his ear, when she tried to finish him!

BDawg- She is feeling much better, and doing well on the Nutro. She has been eating a good amount of food each meal. I think she is getting used to it. She was very thin when we got her. She does gain, but not much. Now that she is better, I hope she gains again.

No what I gave Myran was Thuja pills(related to the cedar tree)I was supposed to give him 1 immediately after the rabies shot and then one more within the next 24 hrs.And it worked whether it was the thuja or not but he was ok. But being the skeptic that I am I had cortison pills at home from the vet just incase of a anafylactic rection.

Sometimes Gypsy seems to have seizures in her sleep. Not the kind of movement wherein you guess she's chasing rabbits in her dreams or something. She does that also, but sometimes it looks very much like a seizure. VERY nerve-wracking.

I use the Life Abudance and alternate between Paula Newmans. My dogs love it. Their coats look great. I totally support both of those dog foods.

Ok. Thanks again

@LovingLola: Thanks. I didn't know that they should see an opthamologist regularly. Yes, it is highly recommended, IMO for all breeds, but especially for ours that have eye problems. Like I said, once I have a base line that shows no problems, I don't have a problem with going every two years when in their prime. And it is not all that expensive at least not in the Bay Area and believe me, we are pretty pricey on Vet things….

@Craigh: I'm in a very rural area. My vet's specialty is horses; smaller animals are a very very small part of his practice. Not a whole lot of choice unless I want to drive more than an hour, which isn't practical in emergency situations. Well, I understant that, but even a specialty Vet would have contacts to consult with?…. I have had many a Vet that is versed in one thing or the other (and only horses) that would do that.... and of course not practical in emergency situations

@massagemom3: I'm starting to think Sally needs testing. I potest the question, on how to test Sally. She squats LOW…... so I'm going to leave her in the kitchen and hold her off from peeing for awhile today, and get her excited to test her urine! hahahahaa..sorry but I can't think of anything else. hehehehe... I also think I'm going to check with the vet about testing her there as well. She won't eat very much, drinks a lot, and is shedding way too much, and I noticed her back legs shaking yesturday...not too bad but enought to notice. Good luck with your B..Keep us posted. Is Sally a mix? I seem to remember she might be? And how old is she? Again I would take her to the Vet, they can test immediately for sugar in the urine and/or blood… and also check her for UTI with a urine culture....

thanks..I'm glad her nail is better too, now I just need to fix the skin, and eating!

I brought her to the vet on Monday and that's when she said to put a hot compress on the site. The incision looks normal and healing very well. No redness at all. The swelling is probably like the size of an almond. I noticed it because she's always had a very lean and flat tummy (don't we all wish we could be like that lol). I thought it was unhealthy too to have fluid accumulate under the skin, but the vet said it happens. I will keep an eye on it, and they said to call them on Friday with an update. Hopefully it will go away soon. In the mean time she really likes snuggling up with the heat pad.

Glad to hear Tiggy is doing ok. Hope he's all better real soon.

@WBL: You do sound frustrated, if you are still feeling unsatisfied you could contact Dr Jean Dodds, she has done wonders for helping dogs with thyroids disorders. Here is a website that has contact info, and how to send in samples if you want [removed ad link] If you have the results (full panel print out and you should be able to get that from your Vet) you can just send that to Dr. Dodd's, she will read the results and give you a recommendation… Don't really think that she is all that much better then others, however she does see many B Thyroid results. I have sent her results from MSU and she agreed there was no need for supplements at that time.