Skip to content

Help, please - emaciated B skin issue

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Hello All!
    I adopted a wonderful B-boy from BRAT 3 weeks ago who had been found emaciated, dehydrated and with toe pads so horribly worn down and bloody that he had trouble walking on grass. I was given a video of him taken 2 days after he was found - you could clearly see every rib and his pelvis was very clearly articulated through his skinny frame.

    So, now he is gaining weight (hooray!) and I understand from my vet that it will take months to bring his very bristly coat back to it's original splendor. I am giving him fish oil capsules every day for his coat, but here's my question: the insides of his ears are very dry and flaky. My vet explained that after being without food for 3 weeks (the estimate by 3 different vets) his skin and coat were the first thing his body deemed unnecessary for survival, so that was the first thing to be let go in terms of maintaining survival of his critical organs. But, now that he is on the mend and in loving care, I am wondering if there s anything I can use to soothe the dryness inside his ears? If he were a human, I would find a great hydrating lotion to put in his ears, but as he is a dog, I am lost. Ant suggestions?
    I send many thanks in advance for any and all advice!

  • Vitamin E oil (available in super markets and health food stores) works the charm here in Maine in the winter time. I use it on my kidz dry skin.

  • THANK you so much! I will try that! And I am open to any further suggestions!

  • Coconut oil can be used both directly on the skin and as an internal supplement. It is very good for the skin as well. :)

  • Silly enough, diaper cream ( with zinc oxide) …it helps with the chaffing dryness..
    it's gentle enough to use on a baby's chapped bum then it's good enough to go on oaks ears..lol

    I use it on occasions where we're outside hiking and They could get wind burn or such...he has some pretty big ears so they always seem to be a concern!! It only takes a dab and he hasn't itched at them, they arent flaking and he's a happy boy

  • His ears will heal. We got a rescue that had been in a shelter for three months and we called her bat ears for months till her fur grew back. Hope he heals fully and quickly.

  • Oh, thank you everyone! Yes - Bat ears would be a most apt description! I will try these remedies - more than one can't hurt, right? This is a prefect example of why I love this board!!! My fondest wishes to you all!

  • I would recommend A&D ointment….

  • You do want to make sure you put only the slightest coating on it, maybe even wiping it off gently with a tissue, to avoid getting any product into the ear canal and creating additional problems.

  • One thing you can do to help his coat is to bathe him every 1-2 weeks with Murphy's Oil Soap. Use your fingers and gently "scrub" him while he is soaped up. (Murphy's does not produce much lather so don't expect it.) The massaging will loosen dead hair and help it fall out. This stimulates new hair to grow. Murphy's has natural oils including coconut that help moisten the skin and keep it healthy.

Suggested Topics

  • 7 yr old Basenji sick - HELP PLEASE

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I sent you a couple of messages... check them please :) (click on the little bell on the top right.
  • Sick Dog Question– help, please?!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    186
    0 Votes
    186 Posts
    90k Views
    O
    @agilebasenji: Zest! has about 2 extra pounds he could have. Jet the trying also has a few to spare. I wonder if I can send them via the USpost. Spencer says "send 'em on– Priority Mail, please!" Though if he keeps being a little platelicker, he may reclaim his "love handles." For now, he is still the Angelina Jolie of the dog world.
  • 0 Votes
    9 Posts
    7k Views
    khanisK
    Check with Iris Craven, Kasai Basenjis. She is in Maryland and might know of a vet in your area… and also might be able to help you with the IPSID dx. She is a long-time Basenji breeder and has been around to see many many things happen in Basenjis.
  • Help Please…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    J
    Thank you, Tosca is ok now, but I think I will write this down for future reference, 55 is a lot to pay otherwise for a phone call!
  • Help!!!!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    Diana…. I totally agree that we seem to be seeing IBD alot more in our breed again........ And Janet, you should also point her to the Basenji Club of America site www.basenji.org and then she can go to the health section …. read more about health concerns in Basenjis
  • 0 Votes
    14 Posts
    9k Views
    nala121498N
    I was just about to add a post, when I had to leave and pick the kids up from school - saying that my Basenji did a similar thing. It started with her normally soft fur getting really coarse along her backbone. While I didn't notice any more than the usual tiny bit of shedding in the late summer months, it is now back to it's normal "super soft puppy like fur" too! Great news!