Skip to content

Any tips on watery eyes for our ~5-month-old B?

Basenji Talk
  • I had one rescue Basenji whose eyes were teary but they weren't bothersome to her. We have a fake Basenji now whose eyes are teary due to clogged tear ducts, the vet has unclogged them but they just clog up again. Doesn't seem to bother him. There used to be a product that you could sprinkle on their food every once in a while to prevent staining and it worked . But it was banned.
    -Joanne

  • Sorry your little guy is experiencing this,. The picture shows a cute dog -- congratulations! -- but not a lot of detail around the eye. I brought it into PS to see if I could get a better look. When I I blow it up it looks more like dermatitis mange (basically just mites that all dogs get at birth from their mom). This is certainly TOTALLY OFF BASE. I doubt a vet would miss this and there are many reasons for watery eyes. It's just that with the resolution and shadows it's hard to see.

    Personally I've never encountered eye problems along these line, or heard of them for that matter. Usually when you see watery eyes, which aren't a big deal, the discharge is in the corner. If I'm seeing this correctly, it looks like it extends under the eye. So while it's great that it doesn't seem to bother him, it's a very good idea to see a specialty vet. I suspect you'll get a diagnosis. If you do please let us know what you find out.

  • Giza1.....what is a fake basenji or was that a typo. Just askin 😄

  • @jcflood - Glad that you will take him to a board certified Ophthalmologist, still wonder if you have discussed this with the breeder?

  • @tanza Yup, we reached out to the breeder a few weeks ago and she mentioned that it could be allergies from food or the environment, but otherwise she didn't indicate that he had any prior issue with his eyes.

    The tearing seems most prevalent (i) when he is running around at the park and (ii) when we leave him alone in his crate (which we haven't done very often, given the quarantine restrictions the past few months). That makes me wonder if it's linked to periods of heightened activity/stress, but maybe I'm grasping at straws.

  • I have fostered over 50 basenjis over the years and only had one b that had an eye problem. He had a problem with his eyelids called entropion.

    Entropion (en-TROH-pee-on) is a condition in which your eyelid turns inward so that your eyelashes and skin rub against the eye surface. This causes irritation and discomfort. When you have entropion, your eyelid may be turned in all the time or only when you blink hard or squeeze your eyelids shut.

    I'm glad you are taking him to be examined by an opthamologist. Please let us know what that doctor says.

  • In almost 40 years of breeding and being associated with Basenjis, I have never come across this eye problem so would heartily dispute any idea that it is common to the Breed.

    On the other hand, I have known, and frequently travelled to shows with, a Basenji who had an distinct allergy in Springtime and would come up in lumps and bumps near certain plants.

    Opththalmologist and possibly some kind of allergy specialist would be the best port of call. It will be very interesting to learn the results you get. Its good that he isn't bothered by it but it does tend to mar his obvious beauty !

    Good luck -

  • @jcflood
    This could be a reaction to formaldehyde that’s in carpet.
    We bought a newer home years ago that had not been lived in very much. Our non Basenjis eyes matted shut and we discovered that formaldehyde is used in the mfg of carpet and can cause eye irritation to pets
    Just a thought

  • @joan-duszka said in Any tips on watery eyes for our ~5-month-old B?:

    Giza1.....what is a fake basenji or was that a typo. Just askin 😄

    A "fake basenji" would be a dog with so many similarites that you would swear they are at least part Basenji, only to find out they aren't. This little impersonator is a perfect example. To look at her, she seems to only be missing the white tail tip. Her DNA results tell the true story. (She is still a lovely dog!)

  • Hi all - we've scheduled an appointment with a board-certified ophthalmologist on July 8 (Eye Care for Animals - Chicago), so I'll circle back after with an update. Thank you all very much for your responses! What a wonderful community.

  • @jcflood - Good luck with the appointment. Care to share his breeding and/or breeder? Many of us are related by our Basenjis.

  • @pawla - Entropion is for sure a possible. Basenjis are know known for this but I have known a couple of Basenjis with this issue.

Suggested Topics

  • helping my 5 month old baby to learn to be alone

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    821 Views
    eeeefarmE
    Agree with @elbrant and I'd like to add, when you return be very matter of fact, do not make a big fuss, particularly if she is excited and effusive in her greeting to you. Sure, acknowledge her if you must but don't make any sort of big deal out of it. Go about your business, e.g. if you've been shopping, put your things away before spending any time with her. Your goal is to make your absence just part of a normal routine, nothing to be excited about. I've had two separation anxiety dogs, and you know you have won the battle when the dog just glances at you in an "oh, you're back" way and doesn't bother getting off the couch! Yes, people like it when their dog greets them and makes a big fuss, but if you feed that behaviour you give too much emphasis to your absence and that can grow into anxiety in your dog.
  • My 5 year old Basenji is biting new Basenji puppies hard

    Basenji Talk
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    7k Views
    ZandeZ
    That good news, Dennis - and you are likely to find, in the long run, that the older boy will teach the pups far more than you ever can. They'll get their street cred from him !
  • Adding a Saluki puppy to (2) 11 yr old B's

    Basenji Talk
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    8k Views
    C
    @vickayx: Love that stare… are they like B's..? For example u call and call and they ignore and ignore .. makes me laugh. My saying is... "aww my little weird-o not listening as usual." Yes, you got it!! :)…i think they're like bigger faster Basenjis!!!
  • Tips wanted for introducing a new B into the family

    Basenji Talk
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    WalterW
    @tanza: Exactly, I agree with Lisa… the hardest part is to talk them into taking it easy. However, that said, I very, very rarely use any medication for pain on a Spay or Neuter. I would rather they feel a bit of pain to slow themselves down. (After the first night) I think you will find in 3 or 4 days you would not even know that she had a surgery. Thank you Pat…very comforting to know she will bounce back in a few days or so.
  • Our Basenji and Our 19 Month Old

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    bellabasenjiB
    WoooHoooo Corky, way to go… good boy!!!:D:D:D:D:D
  • Stubborn B!

    Basenji Talk
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    RockysWomanR
    A coupple of issues in this thread! (Way to multi-task here people!) Treats: the whole "upset tummy" is definately a too much of a good thing issue. Whatever you decide to treat with, make them very small and just watch how much you give. My dogs go nuts for bologna or plain ham. Cheese is the perenial favorite, but never underestimate the power of a "Good Boy!!" Coats & "Cold" Weather: My boys have it rough. Living in the Midwest, it is not uncomming to spend all witner in the single digits (not counting windchill which often kicks us into the negative teens, if not worse). Both boys have dog coats made by Lands End in the same style (and cold weather specifications) as their Squall jacket series. It consists of an easy belly band and front chest closure meathod. No worries about tails or legs. Easy on, easy off. And my boys live in them during the winter. Dogs, just like people, quickly acclimate to the weather. If we deicde it's "Cold" at 50 degrees, they start to feel that way. If we decide 50 is downright balmy, the dogs learn that too. Walking: Oh, the perenial issue of B's! I agree with many of the posters here: it's all in the tone and your attitude. If you decide to be upbeat and positive and decisive, the B will follow! (But probably will quit at mile 6 if he hasn't had his ice cream yet… grin)