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  3. My basenji Rusty is very sick and my vet doesn't know why

My basenji Rusty is very sick and my vet doesn't know why

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • R

    I have a 10 year old male Basenji named Rusty. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old and he has always been healthy up until about a month ago.
    I have spent around $500.00 at my vet who has seen him since his first
    check up 10 years ago, and they are clueless about what is wrong with
    him. Unfortunately he is the only Basenji that office treats. Rusty
    went from 26 lbs. to 18 lbs in the last month to 2 months. He can not
    get enough water to drink and urinates everywhere, which is very
    unlike him to go in the house. The vet checked his urine and said it
    is almost all water, not concentrating hardly at all. We have rulled out diabetes and fanconi disease that runs in the Basenji breeds. I am desperate
    at this point. If anyone has any knowledge on a good basenji vet in my
    area, St. Petersburg, Florida or any information you could share with me, I would be so grateful. I love my dog with all of my heart and this has been so
    hard for me because I can not help him get better. Thank you , Sheila Shumaker

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  • L

    The vet has ruled out fanconi and diabetes mellitus, but this sounds like diabetes insipidus to me. DI can be an indication of a pituitary tumor or it can come from damage to the kidneys. The symptoms are pretty much the same, the excessive thirst, excessive urination, and clear almost colorless urine. I know it's treated with vasopressin in humans, and pituitary surgery if necessary, but I don't know about dogs. Rusty probably needs and MRI or brain scan which not all vets have the facilities to do. Ask your vet to refer you to a good veterinary school in your area. Let us know what happens. Lenora

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  • R

    Thank you for your reply. I have selected another vet just a few moments ago. This new vet owns a Basenji herself and has 6 Basenji's that she currently treats. With any luck she will be able to pinpoint what is wrong with my baby boy!!! Rusty's appointment is Monday, if anything changes or we get any more answers, I will post them Tuesday to let everyone know what we find. Thanks again :)

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  • J

    I wish you the best with Rusty! Keep us updated. My thoughts and prayers are with you & Rusty.

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  • DukeD

    I'm so sorry to hear of you little guys health problem. Sounds like you're in luck with this new Basenji vet. All the best for you and Rustyroo.

    Jill

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  • L

    What a stroke of luck. Let us know what happens! Lenora

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  • R

    Thank you so much

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  • R

    I sure hope so!! I can not picture my life with out him and trying to stay positive. Thank you :)

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  • nala121498N

    I'll keep Rusty in my thoughts and prayers, please let us know what happens after the appt. Great to have a vet with a Basenji!

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  • QuercusQ

    The symptoms you describe are text book Fanconi. How did your vet rule it out?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • MantisM

    It is funny that you mentioned Oakhurst because that's where I took Rusty Monday morning They referred me over to Florida Vet. Specialists in Tampa. Rusty does in deed have Fanconi But at least now I know what to do for him to help him stay as healthy as possible. I went yesterday after our appointment and got all the vitamins and supplements he will need to take. We are now on the right track and I feel better because I will do EVERYTHING in my power to get Rusty back to good health.

    Update from Rustyroo

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • nala121498N

    Thanks for the update. Oh, the poor baby…so glad you've got him on track. I'll keep the little boy in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated after you've been following the protocol for a while...((healing hugs))

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  • R

    Thank you :) Rusty gets personal hamburgers twice a day now, lol. He's loving it!!! That is the only way I found to get him to take 12 pills aday, 6 in the morning and 6 at night. But it works and the vet did say to get him food with all beef, I'm sure he will laugh when I tell him!! I will update again after our March 5th appointment. I'm hoping he will gain a few pounds back before then.

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  • J

    I am so glad to know Rusty is on the road to improvement. Bet those hamburgers taste pretty good!!!

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