Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. New to the board; have a health issue! :(

New to the board; have a health issue! :(

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • bellabasenjiB

    I am worried about your boy and my main concern is also Fanconi. My Bella is only a year old and I have not dealt with the disease directly. (I pray I don't have to). All I can say is learn all you can about the syndrome and don't be afraid to ask questions. Is your Vet. open to suggestions about treatment or is he/she sort of "running the show"? Fanconi can be managed with proper care (if that is what this is). You need a Vet. who has experience with Basenjis or who is very open to learning about the specific needs of Basenjis. I hope you find out very soon what is making your boy so sick. The sooner the better for his treatment and subsequent health…

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0
  • lvossL

    For the vision loss, I would get him in to see a veterinarian opthamalogist. An exam usually runs about $35-$45 and you will get a specialists opinion about what is going on.

    You do not mention whether or not your vet was ever able to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes or fanconi. This would really concern me. If your dog has either one of these conditions they could be contributing to the seizures and other symptoms.

    0
  • PongoGirlP

    As far as I know, diabetes was ruled out, and I know my mom mentioned Fanconi and took our vet that handy dandy printout for vets, and he seems to think it's a tumor. He has had extensive bloodwork done, and his urine was tested at the vet, all coming out normal.

    As for the vision, we haven't noticed a thing with it, and the vet said it could very well me the aftermath of the allergic reaction, and he might have been in a fog. I guess he had laid a treat down to the side of him, and it was obvious that he only found it by scent; he literally just didn't see it. So we will have that checked again after a couple days have gone by and he is feeling better.

    I will check on the basenji vet idea…I know my mom loves this new vet we have, and she is really really picky about the care our boy is getting. So even though I don't have all the details quite straight (it changes daily!), I trust her judgement. Thanks all for the support!! :)

    Will post more again later, OH is begging me to come watch 24! :)

    "Bingy, bingy boy!!"

    0
  • bellabasenjiB

    Seems like you are really trying to get to the root of the problem. I hope to see him feeling better soon, as I'm sure you are… Where is his tumor possibly located?

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0
  • PongoGirlP

    They think it is in the brain or pituitary gland…he is feeling better right now, sleeping through the night finally!! :)

    "Bingy, bingy boy!!"

    0
  • bellabasenjiB

    That's what I suspected from the symptoms… I hope it is in the early stages. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
    God bless, Lis.

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0
  • YodelDogsY

    It sounds like Cushing's Disease.

    Robyn Dubbert

    Sherwood Basenjis

    One thing that I have learned in life is to accept that things are not all black or all white. Life is shades of gray and just because someone sees a different shade of gray than you do, it doesn't mean their shade is right or wrong, its just different. ~ Robyn Dubbert

    0
  • bellabasenjiB

    Yes, it does sound like it may be. The possible tumor, the seizures, thirst, excessive urination, etc… How is it treated?

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0
  • bellabasenjiB

    Most patients are treated with a medication called Lysodren or Mitotane. Anipryl (Deprenyl) and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) are two other medications that can be used to treat Cushing's. If Pongo has an adrenal tumor, the adrenal gland may be removed and/or treated with Lysodren.

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0
  • bellabasenjiB

    http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/viewers/uccushings.htm
    Viewer Viewpoint - Cushing's Disease in the dog

    _**Lisa Lynn ![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile")

    BRAT Basenji Rescue, &

    Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club**_

    0

Suggested Topics

  • ChanningsMomC

    Joint health

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    3k Views
    ChanningsMomC
    Thanks for the input! He does get chicken & duck feet sometimes for a snack!
  • R

    Eating Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    The FDA can only do what the laws allow and if the govt is controlled by lobbyist, well.... But this isn't the place for politics so I'll leave it at that. I am very sorry about your horse. :( With meat.. it's particularly red meat that research is linking to cancer... early research shows amount is a big factor (recommendations from 4 oz a day to max 18 oz a week), but who knows. Processed meat is the worse, and I saw some headline (didn't bother to read since I like my beef shortly after it stops mooing) that well done steaks more carcinogenic. For the world, reducing red meat is good for the environment and health. I was reading a study last week on red meat and joint inflammation. Studies the last 15 years actually only have general connection, but that most do is a pretty good indicator. I had a doctor tell me to stop all red meat and milk when I was a teen and experiencing joint pain. It helped, but back then, no internet and not much access to current research. Here we are 45+ years later, and still no strong proof and some show that reducing carbs with increased LEAN red meat actually decreased inflammation. However, we then get this Science Catch-up. Red Meat And Gut Inflammation: Harvard Study ... https://thehealthsciencesacademy.org/science-catch-up/science-catch-up-28/ Jan 18, 2017 - Red meat and gut inflammation: Harvard study. According this new Harvard study involving 46,500 participants, eating high amounts of red meat daily might be a risk factor for gut inflammation and the development of diverticulitis. << So no one has absolute proof, but my money is on reducing red meat is more likely to be healthier than not. I just don't rule out all meat (ie fish and fowl) as getting enough protein is pretty hard and we don't have enough hard research for ME to go vegetarian. But I'm open to it and glad you are having success.
  • S

    Age issues or behavioral issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    @Patty: Personally I would take her to the vet to get her checked out for bowel or urinary infections. If she is losing sight and hearing she may be frightened. It sounds as though you need to step back a pace to calm your reactions. I can appreciate that you are getting fed up with all the work but she is an old dog. My present oldie (15) has taken to peeing (and pooing) indoors at times but I know I need to put her outside more often as she doesn't have the control she once had. She has also become blind and is certainly more aggressive with the others because of that. Any way first things first and do take her to the vet, please. Let us know how you get on. I have to agree with everything Patty wrote. Changing behavior ALWAYS needs a vet check. Increase aggresssion can be due to thyroid issues, pain, tick-born diseases, constant hunger (due to other things), etc. You didn't say in your post if you'd recently seen a vet and discussed her new issues. My oldest (16 in December) has failing kidneys (nonFanconi) and does need to pee more often. So, I put pee pads down in the house in his favorite pee spots. He's usually pretty good about that, but he does still pee in other spots if I'm not watching him carefully or if he gets a bit aggitated about the sitting arrangements. Would your pup stay in an exercise pen? That would give her a little more room than a crate.
  • N

    Health Tests

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    lvossL
    The fanconi test needs to be ordered from the OFA website, https://secure.offa.org/cart.html Have you talked to Nilo's breeder about health testing. Without pedigree information his tests alone don't provide a very complete picture since disorders like PRA are late onset.
  • L

    New to Miami

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    markusa59mnM
    Can't help with doc, but I was wondering if you have found a border that you trust. I'm probably coming down from Minnesota with my 3 year old next week and am looking for Fri, Sat stay. (19,20)
  • SweetShelbyS

    Health Issues for Mixes

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    SweetShelbyS
    Never mind. I just read another thread that answered that question. I will pick up some diastix from Walmart. I don't really think it is a possiblity that she could develop Fanconi's since she is a half B but it won't hurt to occasionally test her urine because I would feel awful if something happened to her and I could've done something. Thanks again.