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Biting at the air

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • D

    Our 6 Yr old female basenji has started biting at the air as if there are flies around her, although this is not the case. She can exhibit this behavior several times a day, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. has anybody out there had this happen? This seems to be getting progressively more frequent.

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  • J

    @dave That’s a weird one. No, I’ve not seen this before. I wonder if she may have developed floaters is one or both eyes? Maybe onset of a cataract? I’d be inclined to take her to a doggy eye doctor to rule out any eye issues.

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  • tanzaT

    I would agree with Jengosmonkey.... check her eyesite with a board certified Ophth for dogs. At least a place to start. You might also want to video her doing this and show it to your Vet and the Eye Vet. Might help them to figure out the issue

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • B

    I have a friend who's dog has this. Although, not a basenji, the symptoms are the same. This happens mainly in the evening. No body has been able
    to figure out what is going on with him. I would do what Jengosmonkey and tanza said. Get a certified Ophth for dogs and go from there. Sorry could
    not have been more help.

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  • eeeefarmE

    Sounds like this to me. I had heard of it before, so went looking for an explanation....

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

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  • ZandeZ

    @eeeefarm That is a very interesting article. I have never come across this condition but was about to agree with Greg and Pat - could be floaters - before reading it. Now it would seem even more probable and a visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist is clearly indicated.

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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  • B

    This is from my friend who's dog as "fly biting" episodes. This is what she said: "Have then pull a full thyroid panel on their pup usually a low thyroid is part of the problem as well as Fly Biting is gastrointestinal based seizures."
    If you are on Facebook, I can give you her name. Just drop me a line privately and I can give you her name. I didn't want to post it publicly. Not sure if that is allowed. She has much first hand knowledge of fly biting with her dog and can probably give you some pointers.

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