Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  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

Suggested Topics

  • R

    My Basenji doesn't curl her tail anymore.

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I am glad to hear of her improvement. Sometimes we live with dogs and don't see the changes they start so slow. It's good to make it a habit to actually inspect them monthly. I hope she keeps improving but as Sally said, too much weight gain isn't good.
  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    6k Views
    P
    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
  • KipawaK

    Vets knowledgeable in basenjis

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    9k Views
    M
    Is there anyone out in the New Jersey area (or knows of a site that I can be directed to) who knows of any vets that have knowledge of Basenjis? We have a 4 month old Basenji and our breeder took her to the vet at 8 wks but she hasnt been to one since so I've been looking for a good vet for a standard visit and cant seem to find one who knows about Basenjis (well all the vets Ive talked to, act like they know about them but you can tell they've never had one as a patient ;0 Thanks for the help!
  • rnastoR

    Basenji Vet in Suffolk, VA

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    rnastoR
    Here rnasto@gmail.com We would love some information since we dont have any. The job is with SAIC in Hampton Roads, VA but I don't know where my job will be, so I guess we will just have to pray its not across a tunnel somewhere.
  • soulmateS

    My Basenji's results

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    Great news!
  • Tayda_LennyT

    Tayda doesn't go to the bathroom much…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    @Quercus: I don't know if this is at all accurate…but his theory made sense to me. Also, some Bs are prone to crystal formation, but often don't develop a full blown UTI. There is something that some folks add to the water to change the PH of the urine, but I don't remember what...maybe someone else can help me out with that. I was told that crystals were a sign and led to kidney stones?–not necessarily a sign of UTIs? There were special dog foods for this--to keep crystals from forming because I had to use one at one time (this was about 10-12 years ago), but my vet told me that the good quality dog foods now are formulated to avoid crystal formation, so you don't usually have to get special food.