I had a spinal injury a few years ago and the surgeon warned me of permanent nerve damage causing incontinence being a potential consequence if it got worse. It's called "cauda equina syndrome", I did a quick search and it looks like it occurs in dogs too. Essentially you lose all nerve feeling on your bowel, hence not knowing when you need to go. I'm not sure what the solution is (if any) but it could be a clue.
Is it IPSID?
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Patty, Rosie (& Bing) had a bug last year which gave them diarrhoea as a result of which they both lost weight. Rosie pretty much recovered and put back on most of her weight after a course of antbiotics. Bing didn't but because of his other problems (hypoparathyroidism) he eventually had to be put to sleep.
Rosie's current weight loss began not long after we lost Bing, prompting us to wonder whether his loss was affecting her.
She is now thinner than she ever was last year: our vet has a suspicion she might have a tumour though her white blood cell count was normal.
So we persist, ever vigilant for signs she might have had enough but she continues to eat though switching her likes with the wind!
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Hi Mike. I've been doing some checking up on products mainly for my fussy eater but thought you may be interested too. The Animal Health Co have 3 products; Vit 2000, Revite and Sorb Vit B. All are for maintaining a healthy dog etc but may be of help to your Rosie.
http://www.animal-health.co.uk/eMerchantPro/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=13
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Thanks Mike for the synopsis - I did go back and re read all the posts about Bing and Rosie. Idon't have a very retentive memory and this is why I find the forum so good in that you can review posts.
I can endorse Animal Health products that Vicki mentions. I use many of their products with a lot of success. Particularly Hormonise which helps to regulate hormones in the weeks before seasons. They have many horsey products too.
Hokamix too is good for fussy eaters but I wouldn't say that Rosie is actually fussy - it more sounds to me that she is regulating what she can digest. This may well suggest a liver problem.
Please don't give up on her - while she eats it suggests that she certainly hasn't given up.
My old bitch (Jewel) who is well on the way to 16 was seriously ill and even my vet thought that it was the end but she was eating well so I would not give up on her. I used homeopathy as well as conventional medicine and she has recovered. I also think you can read in their eyes when they themselves are ready to go.
Vicki, I don't think Chance is being fussy either - merely eating what he can digest well. Basenjis are particularly good at deciding what they can and can't eat.
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I don't do giving up! Will take a look at Animal Health products; thanks!
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Good. You're jsut like a Basenji - they don't do 'giving up' either.
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Is that also why I've always done my own thing?!
"As I stopped to take in my familiar view across to the rounded green hills on the other
side of the valley, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a small black, brown and
white streak carving out an arc through the rippling green shag-pile carpet which
stretched out and fell away in front of me. Did Basenjis ever run in
straight lines, I wondered?"They are very different, aren't they?
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At last, some real progress!
Rosie is putting on weight and improving day by day.
While no clear diagnosis has been forthcoming she is responding to the drugs often prescribed for IPSID and similar conditions and so we are hoping the progress continues, though she may have to be on them for an extended period if not permanently.
Here's a link to one reference I found online which appears most relevant to her:
Mike
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That's great news Mike. I hope Rosie continues to improve. They really are little fighters. Giver her a hug from me.
Keep us posted.
Vicki
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Will do, Vicki, thanks!
Meanwhile our attention has shifted to Poppy, our Dane bitch, who woke up today with an abscess on one of her anal glands. Very uncomfortable for her and a temp of 106. Now lanced and she has two drains in until Thursday but she's a little happier now…
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Mmm Sounds lovely. Glad I wasn't eating when I read that post.
That sounds really nasty and what a temperature to have. Hope she gets better soon too. Give her a hug too.
It's always one thing after another with dogs isn't it? My old BC is making a remarkable recovery from Vestibular Syndrome, the GSD has an inflamed Sebacious Cyst, I think all the Bs are OK at the moment though.
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Great news about Rosie! I was very happy to read this positive report this morning!
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So pleased Rosie is doing well, long may it continue.
Hope poor Poppy is feeling better soon. -
Thank you, K Rass & Shelley, for your kind responses.
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Mike - i'm so glad to hear that Rosie is improving and sorry about your Great Dane who I hope is now recovering.
I was only wondering yesterday about Rosie and was about to ask you for an uopdate but was so relieved to read your post
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It's wonderful to hear that Rosie is showing much improvement. Now Poppy needs the attention - good thing you are such a diligent person with your dogs' health. Hugs sent out to both of them.
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Thanks, Patty. Yes, Poppy is, in herself, pretty much back to normal this morning but minus the drain! There's no sign of it whatsoever so we'll be scrutinising Rosie's little piles for signs of what happened to it!!! Fortunately the vet was amused…
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Thank you, Fran. It was good to have the support here when things were looking a bit dubious. I'll post updates from time to time.
Mike
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Re the drain -I sometimes think that our vets wonder why we have Basenjis!!
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It's not unknown for us every now and then!
Both are very well this morning which is great news.
