Cairo had a seizure this morning

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • AoibheannA

    He's about 13.5 and did have lyme disease and was treated when he was younger. Other than that and arthritis he's had for several years, he's been in good health. I'm currently treating him with a half deramax a day ( I forget the exact dosage.) At the fosters he was on a buffered aspirin a day and the original owners had him on something else for a short time.

    I have been giving him ground turkey breast once a day with his royal canin aging care.

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  • MothM

    Just in case you repeat the blood tests and find that you need to manage his diet here are a couple of links :)

    http://www.vetprof.com/clientinfo/KidneyDiseaseInDogs/diet.htm

    http://www.gloryridge.com/kdrecipes.htm

    http://www.2ndchance.info/kidney.htm

    As for the arthritis is the medication managing his pain adequately? My 12 year old collie is currently on Rimadyl…so far she is doing well on it.

    Visit the Curly Tailed Brigade

    http://curly-tailed.blogspot.com/

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  • AoibheannA

    Thanks for the links. I'm not sure if the Deramax is doing the best it can, when I try giving him the whole pill he tends to get an upset stomach even taken with food, and some days are better than others. He does get playful when it's time to go out for walks and when he's in the mood and will go full steam after squirrels and bunnies.

    Since the 'big one' his shudders/tremors have become more frequent and some times longer and often without being caused by a noise. Last night i tried to write down all occurances and to what degree (none even remotely close to the grand mal, but a few strong enough to making him loose his balance) but I couldn't document them all. That and I was wondering if I was just being paranoid. It does seem to happen more consistently when he's drinking water, don't know if it's the sound or the stimuli. He seems to not want to drink as much as he should because of it but will eagerly lick water off my fingers and hands.

    He's tolerated the first round of subQ, though really not happy with the initial sticks.

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  • MothM

    If you are like me you are not just being paranoid, but merely in tune with your dog. I can always tell when something is not quite right with my guys.

    The best you can do is observe carefully and share with your vet.

    Hopefully you and the vet will figure out what is ailing Cairo together and it will be something that you can manage with good care :)

    Please keep us updated and we will do our best to help when we can :)

    Visit the Curly Tailed Brigade

    http://curly-tailed.blogspot.com/

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  • MacPackM

    You may be able to get a large (60 cc ) syringe and slowly squirt water, maybe with a bit of chicken broth, into his mouth several times a day. I have done this with older dogs who didn't drink as much as they should. No needle, but attach a bit of small rubber or plastic tubing to the syringe, slip that into the rear of the mouth and gently squeeze the plunger. (I'm a recovery nurse and we used to use these for babies with cleft palate surgery). Good luck, I hope it is just dehydration during this hot summer.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Is your vet having you give stomach meds with the duramax? Connor eventually couldn't handle rimadly, duramaxx or even coated aspirin even with antacids and plenty of food with the pills. :(

    Debra

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  • AoibheannA

    Thanks all for the ideas/help and sorry I haven't been on lately.

    Cairo seems to be doing much better…he's getting more active and more vocal (even more so than before the grand mal.) He is still having some minor seizure activity every once in a while and now it's back mostly to different sounds, though lapping water from the bowl still triggers some, he stops for a moment and then continues.

    I've been giving him subQ fluids every other day and he's been tolerating it well, it also helps we take him to get (no sugar added) frozen yogurt after ...he loves his frozen yogurt and frosty paws. It also helps his stomach and he's also been tolerating the Duramaxx better too (though part of it is probably the yogurt and frozen yogurt helping.)

    Wed or Thurs he goes back for the retesting, I'm so hoping it comes back clear.

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  • tanzaT

    Sounds like a real break through. Sending positive vibes for his continued improvement.

    My Maggii had minor seizure activity for a number of years, along with kidney failure.. but she live to a ripe 16+ and for that I am totally grateful…. She did great with SubQ fluids and accepted it (but not the happiest of Basenjis...ggg).... She seemed to know it was good for her

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • MothM

    Glad to hear that there is improvement for Cairo.

    I will keep my fingers crossed for the retesting :)

    Visit the Curly Tailed Brigade

    http://curly-tailed.blogspot.com/

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  • C

    Hello, My very sweet 12yr old Basenji boy had a seizure this morning during our walk, just like Cairo. Nothing seem to trigger the event. It lasted about 5 minutes or so. I sat down on the sidewalk with him and tried to comfort him until it was over. His front legs were rigid and his mouth was open and was foaming a bit. The rest of his body was shaking. He was laying down and was urinating and his ruff was up quite a bit. After he came out of it I took him home and called the vet. The vet said I could bring him in for blood work, but I would have to leave him there. He also said that it could be a one time seizure and not happen again. I chose not to take him today. He is really nervous and restless and following me every where I go around the house. He is so scared that it might happen again, so am I. I didn't want to have to take him to the vet and leave him after such a traumatic experience. He is also drinking a lot of water. I really needed to vent all of this to someone. Thank You

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  • AoibheannA

    chakrapollo - i hope Apollo is doing better.

    I just got the call back about the bloodwork and the BUN is still in the 70s, though the cre is lower (due to the fluids I've been giving him already.) The vet wants me to keep him on fluids (probably for the rest of his life) and start him on a kidney diet, to help keep him from going further into kidney failure.

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  • P

    So pleased to hear of Cairo's good progress. And news of Apollo.

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  • MothM

    @Aoibheann:

    I just got the call back about the bloodwork and the BUN is still in the 70s, though the cre is lower (due to the fluids I've been giving him already.) The vet wants me to keep him on fluids (probably for the rest of his life) and start him on a kidney diet, to help keep him from going further into kidney failure.

    Thanks for the update… My spaniel lived quite well with careful management for 2-3 more years after being diagnosed with kidney failure :) He was in all other ways a happy, and healthy dog and was 15 by the time he passed.

    I hope Cairo will do wonderfully with treatment :)

    Visit the Curly Tailed Brigade

    http://curly-tailed.blogspot.com/

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    @Aoibheann:

    I just got the call back about the bloodwork …The vet wants me to keep him on fluids (probably for the rest of his life) and start him on a kidney diet, to help keep him from going further into kidney failure.

    Are you giving him subQ fluids? (((hugs)))

    @chakrapollo:

    Hello, My very sweet 12yr old Basenji boy had a seizure this morning during our walk, just like Cairo. … He is so scared that it might happen again, so am I.

    He probably isn't afraid of a seizure, but he might feel bad or he might be reading your anxiety. If he isn't better, can you schedule a time when you can go to the vet and stay with him? Not sure why they would need you to leave him for blood work.

    Debra

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  • AoibheannA

    Debra~ yes i have been giving him 50ml subQ treatments every other day since his first results came in. The vet wants me to continue for the time being. I'm hoping with a change in diet (going to start with the prescription and then maybe switch over to home-cooked low protein chicken, fish, and eggs with veggies, oatmeal/brown rice) I can eventually not need to do the subQ treatments, if his levels go down enough.

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    I so hope things improve. I even tried Lidocaine with Sayblee and she just hated the subQ fluids. You are a special basenji mom. Praying the levels all become normal soon and the results just temporary fluke, not actual kidney failure.

    Debra

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  • C

    @DebraDownSouth:

    Are you giving him subQ fluids? (((hugs)))

    He probably isn't afraid of a seizure, but he might feel bad or he might be reading your anxiety. If he isn't better, can you schedule a time when you can go to the vet and stay with him? Not sure why they would need you to leave him for blood work.

    Apollo's blood work came back clean and clear. Doctor said this is a good thing.
    Although Apollo is 12 yrs old he is very healthy except for the seizure. He said if he had two seizures within a week to call him. Also said that four of his clients have been using the magnetic collars to prevent seizures. I had never heard of this before. He does not sell them, and suggested I go on line to buy if I was interested in trying. The results he said were good. These were dogs with repeated episodes. Also, acupuncture was an option. This vet is not a strictly holistic doctor, but he is giving me an option. Thank You so much for your thoughts.

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Magnet have limited research with epilepsy and much of it not supportive. There have been a few studies using MASSIVE magnetic treatment, but I am pretty sure spending your hard worn money to buy a magnetic collar is pretty much a waste. If money isn't an issue, it probably won't hurt.

    http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/biomagnetic_therapy.htm

    The only real use of magnets in epilepsy is for those with a vegus nerve stimulation unit installed inside their chest. You can use magnets to activate or stop the stimulation.

    Btw, I worked in college for the Neuropsychology and Brain Research Lab at the University of Tennesse with Joel Lubar on his biofeedback/epilepsy research back in the 1970s. It was incredible. He taught me to increase the heat in my hands to stop migraines. :) I very much support non-medication wherever they work, I just hate people claiming things to sell a product.

    Debra

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  • C

    Thank You so much for the link to the website on magnetic therapy. Actually my vet doesn't sell the collars. He suggested one as an alternate remedy as opposed to putting Apollo on anti-seizure meds at this time. He couldn't explain, but some of his clients dogs have had good results. I bought one on Amazon for $15.00. No I don't have money to throw away, but since it wouldn't harm I decided to buy. I haven't read the article yet, but I will. Thank You so much for sharing and caring.

    Christine

    BTW I am new on the forum so probably will take me a bit to find my way around.

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    It's a good group, lots of breeders here with good experiences and knowledge to share.

    Debra

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  • nobarkusN

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    DebraDownSouthD
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  • C

    Gross morning!!

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    ComicDom1C
    @CrazyBasenjiMom: Thank you Jason, we did do a round of the flagyl, and an antibotic, and the flortiflora, we followed the course and had improvement, In thinking back, dumb me, I introdcued a new treat for trainning purpose and this may be the root of evil, I'm giving them away tomorrow, what would you suggest for the "bribe treat" we are sitting and staying, leave it is a slow to come and when I call him he doesn't alwasy come, this boy was really brutalized, scared of doors, if you try and pet him he still ducks and backs off, he has high anixety, paces, he eventually calms down with singing and lavender on his nose…..I want to keep it simple " boys are exactly 10 months old, My Belle will be 2 and she is on Wellness whitefish and sweet potatoe, seems she is board with it now, not eating as much, she want the pups food. I have to seperate them. Whew, who knew, I'm crazy for these 3 but it is hard work. Tomorrow is dog blessing at our church....hope it takes..... Sounds to me like this boy has really had it rough. I am sure he will eventually warm up with a lot of patience and love from you. He is very nice that you have given him the opportunity to have a wonderful and loving home. As you know Pacing seems to be part of the Basenji makeup. When mine gets ready to go out he does pace back and forth or will walk in a circle around me until I stop and leash him. He will also pace back and forth if he thinks I am going to take him somewhere. Recently I picked up a rescue dog for transport that appeared to have been abused, neglected, and half starved to death. Her name happened to be Bella also. In the short time she was in my care, I made sure she was comfortable and had plenty to eat. On a leash she was somewhat skittish so she ended up staying close. Before she left us she was licking us affectionately and rubbing up against our legs. She went to a nice foster home and is a lucky girl in that respect. It really upsets me and breaks my heart to see dogs abused, starved, or put in harms way. I could never be a foster home for a dog because I know I would want to keep all of them. I am not suggesting that you change Belles food, but when we had our Boston decide she wanted some of his puppy food it made it easier to change to EVO for us. Inova EVO feeds the same food from puppy to adult so there is no change except for the amount. As far as treats go. I have had great success training with plain regular Cheerios. Generic Cheerios will do and I believe there is another here who has had success with them as well. They are very cheap and our dogs seem to love them even to this day. If you call him he likes Cheerios, then you can give him one every time he does come and that will make it a positive experience for him. Another Treat we use is called No Grainers. It is 100% Grain Free, made in the USA(Springville UT), made with fish and is all natural. I think you will find your pups really respond to this one. Roo is sitting here with his head on my knee because I put the bag on my desk so I could get information off if it. So far we have found the cost on the No Grainers pretty reasonable. We use a product by Vitalife, however I did find that when Roo was younger his digestive system had issue with these so I discontinued feeding him them. Now that he is older, his digestive system has matured and he appears to handle them with no problems. They are called Chicken Chips. They are 100% Chicken and very high in protein. In fact the manufacturer suggests you limit the amount you give of these to your dog in one day based on weight. They are 64% Protein. They even have a money back guarantee. So you cannot beat that but I would wait until after he is a year old. They do make other versions like duck, but again better tolerated if he is older. Last but least, we recently found another chicken product by Dogswell called Vitality with Omega 3's. Basically it is Chicken Breast Jerky with Flaxseed & Vitamins. It contains NO Hormones, NO Antibiotics, No Fillers, and NO Byproducts. It is from Cage free all natural chicken what ever that means. This product is the highest in protein at 70% min. Suggested feeding is 2 to 4 per day for dogs 15-45lbs. Ok now Roo is laying on my feet hoping for one of these treats so I better go give it to him. At least he is not pawing my leg or doing the Basenji Pogo without a stick. Roo and Bonzo line up and sit right next to one another everytime I get these treats out and almost cannot contain themselves. Jason
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  • S

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    As our Basenjis age we are all confronted with their care… there are tough decisions to be made for sure.. we can all only do what we can to make the remaining time they have with us the best possible.. and not going to extreme measures is many times the most kindest thing we can do... and just make sure they are comfortable .... been there, done that... not easy... but I know that the best care that was in my opinion was given....