Skip to content

Weight issue

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Hi all,
    I have a 2 year old male basenji.
    He got castrated November last year as he was very aggressive towards other dogs and even humans. The vet advised us to castrate. It helped he's less aggressive.
    But now since 4, 5 months ago he started to gain weight.
    The vet advised to reduce his food, first 10% than 20 %, since August he's on halve portion, he didn't lose 1 gram.
    No vet tells me to reduce again, but he's hungry, it's not normal to constantly reduce without any result. I don't want to reduce anymore.
    He has daily long walks and I go running from time to time with him. Nothing helps.
    Anyone else has same experience? ![alt text](![image url](![image url](image url)))

  • Has the Vet tested for other health issues? I've heard of dogs having thyroid issues (ex: hypothyroidism would affect weight)... does anyone have any first-hand experience with this?

  • @Rebel - Full blood workup including full Thyroid panel (full panel no just what the normal vet workup that is not a full thyroid panel)... as they say make sure that he is in good health. Also what are you feeding him? How much total are you feeding a day? Also with reducing food, add veggies to his food to fill his belly... green beans are good to use... I use Cauliflower and Broccoli... Note also that low normal is typically too low for Basenjis.

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    41 Posts
    7k Views
    ZandeZ
    @channingsmom said in Gallbladder/liver issues: He is getting enough to eat that he hasn’t lost weight That in itself is very good news. It can be very difficult to keep weight on a picky, elderly Basenji. Once they really start to lose it, often there is no putting weight back on. Good luck !
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Dental issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    9k Views
    nodakerdebN
    Periodontal disease is a tough one to get on top of once it takes hold (in both humans and dogs) because the bacteria gets down in the pockets and it is very difficult to keep clean. People have better luck because they have the ability to floss daily, but that is very difficult with a dog – and believe me, I've tried. :D Periodontal disease is not the same as an auto-immune disease that dogs can get (lest I be accused of getting them confused). I believe the reason our furry companions, and especially the dry-mouth (non-slobbering types) often get it is because of a couple things in addition to not being able to floss. 1. They don't slobber so their mouths really don't get a good natural rinse, and 2. they are fed an unnatural diet. In the wild they would be crunching up bones which acts like a natural toothbrush/floss, and they wouldn't be eating cereal grains which are carbs on steroids turning to sugar once it hits the saliva. There are kibbles out there that do not contain grains which may help by keeping the sugars at bay in the mouth. Evo is one, Instinct is another. Feeding raw is a great alternative. I am also a big fan of the PetzLife product and think it works wonders to keep plaque at bay on the teeth, but not sure how well it works with the plague and bacteria already under the gumline. My rat terrier does not have periodontal disease. I feed him Evo and brush his teeth daily (with a three-sided toothbrush) with Petzlife and he has the teeth of a two year old which isn't bad considering he's almost 11. If his gut could handle it I'd feed him raw, but that has not bode well with him unfortunately. FWIW, in a past life I worked as a chairside assistant for a dentist so I do know a bit about teeth and periodontal disease. I came away from that experience realizing that if I were on a deserted island I'd rather have an endless supply of dental floss vs. a toothbrush. I would be more likely to keep my teeth with the first rather that the latter. Now if we could just figure out how to floss a dog's teeth. :)
  • Weight gain after spay?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    L
    Zaire was tired for the first day that I brought her home. After that she seemed pretty unaffected by her surgery. It was (I think) much more traumatic for me than for her, as I was soo worried for the next week that she needed to slow down. In the end all went well, with the exception that she healed MUCH QUICKER than my vet initially thought, and I ended up having to take her in 3 days early to take out the stitches as they were tightening on her scar and cutting into the skin. As soon as they took them out her swelling on the scar went down within a day and looked Amazing as far as healing. I I didn't notice much of a difference in energy level or eating and drinking after the first day home. As for Behavior she seemed the same to me. I do think she went into a false heat earlier this month/late august and for about 3 weeks was a DEMON to her brother and the min-pin. _Yelling and screaming at them all day). But that's my princess, she will not take guff from any male. :D
  • Eye issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    If she's loosing hair then it sounds like it might be something more than just stress-of-an-intruder. The stray could have brought something nasty along. Maybe there's mites or something. I would take both to the vet.