Skip to content

Anyone dealing with skin lesions? Cancer? Thyroid Issues?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • My 8yr old male had what looked like a bite on his neck. I shaved him a little so I could look at it to make sure it wasn’t a tick (fairly sure it isn’t). Upon closer inspection if had a black surface, circular in shape and had actually formed a lump under the skin as well. It was not tender to touch at least.
    Cleaned him up a little and kept an eye on it for about a week now.
    Never bothers him. It’s just there. The lump under the skin is gone but the black marking is still there. It does not look like a scab either- no edges to it, no tenderness.

    Might or might not be related but his coat has been quite poor for the past few months as well. He’s on a fish based diet and gets fish oil supplements to try and combat the dryness/lackluster.
    Usually his is a soft deer-fur like coat, especially in the winter :)
    We thought initially it was stress related from loosing his littermate to Fanconi, and dry winter air.
    But it’s not gotten any better.

    Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome- we are trying to avoid a vet visit with the COVID crap but my gut feeling is that this is either thyroid related or possible melanoma....

    He also has been more irritable and his ears have been bothering him too- I do clean them. So does his benji-sister... he’s never had a report of bad health all around. So yeah, I’m starting to get a little nervous.

    I’ll see if I can get an image up here for reference.... thanks in advance :)

  • Best to have it seen by a Vet professional... I would not avoid a Vet visit as this site are not Vets...

  • @tanza
    Thank you!! I’ll post back with results-

  • Vet - instantly !

    Good luck and let us know -

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    D
    Thank you so much for your suggestions, the first test was at a 5.7 and I am awaiting the results of a second test. The initial blood test also revealed Diabetes Insipidus but I feel there is more to it than that and I see many of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism which i've read is usually results from medication for hypo and I had not given any such meds so it's a mystery how it was contracted. And we did lose her half brother in January which would explain added stress. Don
  • Help, please - emaciated B skin issue

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    YodelDogsY
    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.
  • Skin Issues?????

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    23k Views
    D
    I was only recommending a shampoo to use in the future, not one that would clear up any skin problems. If the dog has allergies, she needs to be careful about what kind of general shampoo to use. Jennifer
  • Adenocarcinoma cancer

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    S
    My Senja was diagnosed Jan. 18, 2014 with diabetes. After over 2 months on insulin and more tests she was still getting worse, losing weight, not eating and vomiting orange stuff. I took her to a more advanced Vet/Hospital and she had more test, x-rays and an ultrasound. The new vet found a large mass connected near the bile duct and pancreatic duct going to the stomach. He said it couldn't be removed. I tried some meds including the insulin for a few days then quit them all. She hasn't vomited and has been eating various foods and treats. She is still very thin and is now drinking lots of water. I'm wondering if I should give her insulin again if it would do any good. I know she doesn't have much time left, I just want her to feel as good as possible. I have a pain medication suspended in a gel to give orally when or if she seems to need it, but hasn't so far, it will make her sleep a lot. Guess you all know how heartbreaking this is and part of me wishes I would have gotten the second opinion right away in January.
  • Kidney Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    You know, at his age (and in my opinion) any elder dog, the goal is to get them to eat and keep them eating… so I don't stress out about kcal's too much particularly since I use Vit Supplements.
  • Allergy & Skin Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    9k Views
    MDSPHOTOM
    Hydroxizine AKA Atarax is a great drug for treating severe allergies, it is by far the best antihistamine for reducing itching. It does have a high amount of sedation as a side effect and is also marketed as a sleep aid. OTC Zyrtec is a good alternative since it is a metabolite of Atarax and has less sedation. You may want to find a vet that specializes in allergy treatment and have the dog skin tested to identify exactly what it is and isn't allergic to. You could consider allergen immunotherapy to reduce and potentially eliminate the allergies.