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Heat cycles, the Basenji way

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • elbrantE

    I need to know about the Basenji heat cycle.

    As previously mentioned, "doodle" came to my home after she was spayed, I noted (April 20th) on another thread/topic that she seemed to be in season this year, and she has had a bloody vaginal discharge. It seems better, but she is still marking (every yard we pass). I thought that the Vet may have just removed the ovaries... but I want to make sure that this doesn't seem "abnormal" to any of our more experienced owners/breeders.

    Based on your observations/experience/knowledge, is 6 weeks of discharge unusual, or normal?

    elbrant.net

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  • eeeefarmE

    @elbrant
    From googling I see there is a chance she has "ovarian remnant syndrome", which apparently can happen weeks or years after the spay. "It occurs when a small amount of ovarian tissue remains inside your dog after spaying and starts to become functional." I would think this is something you might want to check out with your vet, especially because it could also be caused by other medical issues, including tumors. More info here .

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

    elbrantE 1 Reply
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  • tanzaT

    You should talk to her breeders, they can tell you about the spay... it would be very, very not normal... it is NOT usual that this would happen with a regular spay and I am sure that it was just that. Since I know her breeders I doubt very seriously that it would not have been a complete spay done. What did they tell you? You first course is to contact her breeders. And have you taken her to the Vet? Should be a repo specialist Vet that would be able to evaluate this... and would most likely want to do an ultrasound. But again, your first course is to contact her breeders.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    1
  • elbrantE

    @eeeefarm, @tanza, Thank you. I thought maybe someone might have first hand experience with such a thing. I think I have a copy of the spay bill. I might be able to contact the Vet directly.

    elbrant.net

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  • tanzaT

    @elbrant - Did you contact her breeders? They would know best and not sure the Vet will be able to tell you anything without their approval. And have you taken her to the Vet, that really is not normal I would believe (NOT a Vet) that something else is going on.... and again contact the breeders/prior owners and also a Vet visit would be in order.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    2
  • ZandeZ

    It is not normal, for sure. You should talk to the breeder - the vet who carried out the spay is unlikely to divulge anything to you without the breeder's permission - as others have already said. But having found out as much as you can - take your Basenji to your own vet with as much information as possible.

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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  • elbrantE

    Thank you everyone, I'll let you know what happens...

    elbrant.net

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  • elbrantE

    Vet has decided "UTI" and doodle is on 2 weeks of antibiotics with probiotics (1 tsp ACV [Apple Cider Vinegar] in her water and plain [Greek] Yogurt) to help maintain her natural biomes.

    elbrant.net

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  • J

    @elbrant 😁👍

    2

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    She's very young. It does take some bitches a couple of years (cycles) before they settle into a routine - which is another reason not to neuter them until everything has really settled down !) I wouldn't worry too much, just keep a close eye on her. She was born 'out of season' - but will probably revert to one proper season a year in time.
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    @tanza -- I know. They also don't typically have one in June, which is why I was asking about whether she had whelped last cycle. I don't think we have a lot to go on. Not being critical, but "my dog seems to be in heat for over a month" doesn't provide a lot of information and could mean a lot of different things.
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    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
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    tanzaT
    And many of them that have spring seasons are in a false season too. I had that happen with Mickii, many bitches will have a "puppy" season 4 to 6 months after whelping, Maggii did and Mickii followed her in, we tried to bred Mickii that spring and it was a false season. She came back in October and was bred.