Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Extreme GI issues? Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enterocolitis? Crohns in Basenjis?

Extreme GI issues? Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enterocolitis? Crohns in Basenjis?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • k.rassK

    Hello All
    My newly adopted 7 year old rescue Basenji (puppy mill baby and we are his second family) has come down with a terrible GI problem. Severe ulceration of the small intestine, high white blood cell count (42000), anemia, extreme weight loss and muscle tissue degradation. He started with bloody vomit and bloody diarrhea over three months ago that cleared up after antibiotics, but over the last two months started to eat less and less. His mood was good and he still acted pretty normal (except for poor eating) but we finally brought him into the vet after he lost so much weight and completely stopped eating. We found it much worse than we thought. Doctors think it may be lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis. I did some research and found that Basenji's are a breed with which this disease occurs with more frequency. What about Crohn's Diease? Can anyone share their experiences?
    Thank you, we are desperate to save him.

    0
  • tanzaT

    https://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=155&Itemid=292#IPSID

    You may want to try the above link.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • k.rassK

    Thanks for the input Pat. I brought the article to the vet who was very happy to have this information. Endoscope results are not on yet, but all symptoms looked like this disease. They will probably start prednisone today as he is deteriorating rapidly. I wish vets would research breed specific diseases especially with Basenjis. Would have saved critical time. I guess it's up to us to educate them.
    Thank you!!

    0
  • tanzaT

    Your welcome…. please make sure since many have found that Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and not IBS or IPSID is the problem. Good luck and hopefully treatment will take effect..... Biospy is this key as noted in the write up.... to determine. http://www.epi4dogs.com is the best place fro EPI information.
    While I agree that Vet's should take the time to research breed specific diseases… I can understand that sometimes they don't really even think about it. Be happy that your Vet "accepts" your input... as I know many that will or do not... which is a huge problem... as they look as owners as being "stupid" and not able to educate even Vets about different breeds health issues.... LOL, not all owners are "stupid"... sad to say, many, many are... Have been at my Vets many times when people bring in their pets and say "Oh he has been doing "this or that" for a few weeks.....".... DUH?? Would you do that with your human child?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    I think Pat gets today's gold star!!!

    0
  • tanzaT

    Thanks… it is something that all pet owners should research on their own... when you have a purebred, you have many options to find out about possible breed specific problems, especially on breed specific websites that talk about health concerns. Honestly I am surprised that BRAT doesn't make sure that people know of the Basenji Club of America site that talks about health concerns in our breed. That said, it is harder if you have a possible mix as there are many things that can and do contribute to health issues and just because you think you have a B Mix, doesn't mean that health issues that are mostly for Basenjis could be the problem, something like EPI is NOT just for Basenjis... it is common to many breeds and/or mixes.... But learn about them... present them to your Vet... You will find out pretty quick if your Vet is open to listen to you or just try and blow you off... if that if the case (blow you off), time to find a different Vet.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • k.rassK

    Sadly I got the bad news today. My B Boy has lymphoma of the GI tract - T cells, the worst to have. Vet thinks he will be with me one to two months and he already may have "used up" one while we were diagnosing him. The best now is palliative care. I am heartbroken, poor guy. Not fair to a truly sweet boy.

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    I am very sorry to hear this. It's never easy to learn bad news. Thank you for giving this boy a chance, and I hope you manage to have some good days for the time you have left.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0
  • Chealsie508C

    So sorry to hear, that's heartbreaking news. Putting myself in your shoes I just can't imagine. Make these days count and make them memorable. Wishing you both the best

    "I know I've found the breed for me because he totally turns my life upside down and I love it!"

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    How heartbreaking. You must be a very special sort of person and I'm so glad this little basenji found you so that his last little bit of his short life is filled with people who love and care for him. peace.

    0
  • k.rassK

    I wanted to let everyone know that I helped my boy cross over the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. My heart is broken but I know my sweet Gombo is not suffering. I miss him already. Thanks for your support and words of kindness.

    0
  • tanzaT

    So sorry for your loss….

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • MDSPHOTOM

    I am very sad to hear about your loss.

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    I am so sorry. I was hoping you would have more time together.

    0
  • tanzaT

    I agree, but thank you for giving him a special place and sending him over the rainbow bridge to be free of paid and sickness

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • Q

    I am so sorry for your loss. I had a little girl die in a tragic accident a year ago

    I am so sorry for your loss. Run free, little Gombo…

    0
  • ?

    Sorry for your loss, always harder when they are taken too early and we aren't prepared to let them go.

    Jolanda and Kaiser

    0

Suggested Topics

  • V

    Basenji Dandruff

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    769 Views
    senjisillyS
    My Valentino had terrible dandruff. His vet said it was due to dry skin. She had me add Goat's milk and coconut oil to his diet. His dandruff lessened dramatically after about a month. The amount of coconut oil (solid or liquid) per day should be no more than 1 teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight. Valentino is about 27 lbs. so I give him about 2.5-3 teaspoons a day. I divide the amount in half and add it too his meals. I feed goat milk rarely because it is so high in calories.
  • T

    Post Lymphoma GI Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @toeloop840 Sadly we fought it for 7 months and lost her. She was my heart dog and the prognosis was for a year or more but she simply crashed with every new protocol. None of us figured in her autoimmune issues. Hopefully you can get your dog eating. Cyproheptadine is fairly cheap if your vet will write a script. The other one.. blanking on it.. isn't very expensive either.
  • S

    Basenji - Lymphoma Diagnosis and GI Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    S
    Also @ Kebasmom: unfortunately what you describe sounds very similar to our little pup. I'm so sorry for your loss and appreciate you sharing. I want to be realistic about what is happening, and I can see the road ahead of us. Still, you never know... Thanks
  • curlytailsC

    Basenji dental

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    37
    0 Votes
    37 Posts
    14k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @tanza: LOL …. so hmm... great weather = higher Vet costs... makes perfect sense to me!!! LOL great weather equals more want to live there. More want to live there, drives real estate costs up. Increased real estate costs drives other expenses up. LOL, it does make some sense. But then, wth is up with NYC which has icky weather? Oh wait, massive overcrowding, never mind.
  • Anne-MarieA

    Liver issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @tanza: These kinds of problems are not uncommon when your Basenjis start to reach their "golden" years. You might want to try him on Dr. Dodd's liver cleansing diet. http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Liver%20cleansing%20diet.htm Many have used it and had great results regardless of what you find out the issue might be. Good Suggestion Pat as I had an older B with liver issues in 2008 and that diet brought it down into normal range.
  • MalidandraM

    Basenji in Alaska

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    8k Views
    wizardW
    I saw that you have a sewing machine – its not hard to make your own coat. I made one for my previous beasties with fleece and wool. I made it with a high colar (for the backside of the neck) and an indentation for the tail and a big belly and chest band (I used snaps at first but then switched to velcro). It worked pretty good for our single digit temps (and the occasional below zero walks to the corner). My current beastie refuses to go out the door with a coat on, however. When the outside temps are below 10F she won't stay outside any longer than necessary to go potty - the squirrels can run around all they want then! With respect to booties, mine will at least tolerate them when we go for walks but it's more for the road salt. However, the good pair I bought this year leak somehow (maybe through the stitching?) and she doesn't like them with they get wet inside. Nevertheless be sure you get the best you can find.