Liver issues

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • MandyM

    It is great to read that it is going well.

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  • tanzaT

    How is Rocky doing? Haven't heard from you in a while…..

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • hdolbowH

    hey, yeah i've been busy around the house and with school and stuff, plus he hadn't been back to the vet until tuesday, and we actually found out the results of another round of blood work last night, sooo like i said before, he was on denamarin, & 2 antibiotics. I don't think I ever posted this but the vet actually started him on some omega 3 pills and prednisone a couple weeks ago. ( He's been peeing up a storm! it's insane! lol ) we actually stopped giving him the baytril because it made him salivate A LOT and he would foam and shake his head, like he hated it, so the vet said stop. he had a full 30 days of the amoxicillan though, and then we went back tuesday for the blood work. when we first took him there when we noticed him losing weight he weighed 15 lbs 10 oz. tuesday he weighed 13 lbs 9.5 oz. so hes really losing a lot of weight. The vet said most of the levels stayed the same but one went up and one went down. Hes going to put him on another pill that is being custom made for him. (i'm not exactly sure what its gonna do, dan talked to him) but we have to go pick it up directly from the place that makes it. and he'll continue to be on the denamarin and prednisone until he dies or we have to put him down. We go back to the vet for more blood work on the 14th, because he said the lab gives discounts if you do the same blood tests more than once in a month, and $87 a month for blood work is kinda a lot, on top of the meds.

    personally, i can see a change in him. He is lazier. definitely more aggressive. the other night i went into the laundry room and they were all laying there and he didnt even pick up his head. i sat down next to him and was petting him and he still didn't move. it scared me. i don't think Dan wants to accept it, and he says hes acting normal when people ask, but I spend more time with them,[ i'm home 3 days a week while Dan's working. ] It kills me to say it, but at the rate he's losing weight, I can't see him lasting much longer. He eats, he's just not putting on weight. I'll have to get a picture of him and post it so you can see. My mom came over the other day and was shocked. She said he looks like he went through the holocaust, because you can see his hip bones, spine, and rib cage. She didn't expect him to look that bad. I feel horrible but I feed him quite a bit. He eats like half a can of wet food mixed with about a cup and a half of dry food, plus 1-2 treats a day. We offer it to him at least 3 times a day, so its normally gone by the evening, or theres a tablespoon or two left over. if he eats it all, we offer him more. we're doing everything we can, short of shoving food down his throat. I just don't know why he won't gain weight back.:(

    Heather.

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  • hdolbowH


    ^That's him next to Mia.


    ^again, next to Mia

    Heather.

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  • KipawaK

    I'm so sorry that Rocky is not doing well. Sending hugs to all of you. It hurts like crazy to lose a beloved pet. All we can try to remember is the wonderful times.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • k.rassK

    I tried to read through all the posts but couldn't seem to find if Rocky has anemia. That could explain his lethargy and grumpyness. Max, a few years back was having that trouble and they gave him some iron supplementation which helped. Also did they test him for tickborn illness?

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  • tanzaT

    So sorry to hear… it is a hard thing when they are ill and there is nothing to help them.. hard as it is.. you just have to "steel" yourself that at some point you know when the quality of life is no longer there... and while for me, it has been with elders, regardless of the age it is never easy.... we just have to do what in our hearts is right for the dog... it is never an easy decision, however since I have been though a few in the last years... you will know when the time is right... it is in their eyes...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • hdolbowH

    thanks guys. it's definitely been a rough month. I'll try to keep you posted more often, but nothing really changes unless we go to the vet to get his weight/blood work.


    ^Here he is last night with Dan.. :)

    Heather.

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  • hdolbowH

    well guys, the end is drawing near..

    in the last week, he has swollen up to the point where he looks like he swallowed a basketball in his ribs and pregnant in his abdomen. Hes having a hard time breathing. (they are short but deep breaths) and he is pooping 4-5 times a day. I went to the vet today with Mia for her annual (she's healthy as a horse), and was talking to him about it, and he said its fluid building up and he's basically in the end stages. The fluid is pushing on his insides, which is causing the breathing and pooping issues. We were supposed to go next week to get more blood work but the vet said it wouldn't even be worth the money. He said basically theres nothing we can do now, except let him go on until it gets to the point that we will have him put down. He also said we could try to drain the fluid to make him more comfortable and he may be able to breath better.

    I relayed all that info to Dan when I got home and he called him to talk to him himself. So we are going tonight to have the fluid drained. We'll see how it goes I guess.

    I'll keep you guys updated.

    Heather.

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  • tanzaT

    Heather,
    I am so sorry to hear that… my heart goes out to you...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • KipawaK

    Heather, Dan and Rocky, my thoughts are with all of you.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • k.rassK

    I'm so sorry about Rocky. My heart sank when I read the post. You're in my thoughts.

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  • hdolbowH

    well your good thoughts must of worked wonders. What we thought was fluid.. wasn't! it looks like he is just gaining weight :) 17 lbs 11oz! There could be SOME fluid but not enough for the vet to tap and the vet said his breathing and heart rate are fine. Were going back in two weeks for blood work again to see if somethings changing ! :) :)

    Heather.

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  • tanzaT

    @hdolbow:

    well your good thoughts must of worked wonders. What we thought was fluid.. wasn't! it looks like he is just gaining weight :) 17 lbs 11oz! There could be SOME fluid but not enough for the vet to tap and the vet said his breathing and heart rate are fine. Were going back in two weeks for blood work again to see if somethings changing ! :) :)

    What wonderful news…. Keep it up Rocky!!!! We are all pulling for you!!!

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • MacPackM

    Wow, good news. I know you are relieved to have him home and feeling better, just "fat"!

    Hugs to you all.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • KipawaK

    Finally fat is good! Way to go Rocky, keep up the good work. Everyone is wishing you the best.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • thunderbird8588T

    Heather, Dan and Rocky, i am pleased to hear your news, i read yesterdays post first and felt so sad, then i went on to read todays and what a surprise :)
    I do hope things keep improving for you, every day is a bonus.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

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  • P

    Heather, I am so pleased to hear that Rocky is improving. Basenjis have a wonderful way of pulling back from the brink so I do so pray that he continues to improve. Rocky is in my thoughts and prayers.

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  • tanzaT

    And in the end, just treasure your time together and give him the best care you can.. which to me sometimes means just keeping them comfortable…. that is the best any of us can do...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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