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Basenji with problems

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • But did you take him when he first hurt his leg?

  • No i did not because up until the last two days, it didn't hurt him at all. and my dog's trainer said he was probably fine

  • It's good that you're taking him now. I wouldn't have taken him to the vet either if his leg wasn't bothering him. But definitely think now's a good time!! Keep us posted. I'd also like to hear about the infection- I think Miles has somewhat of a UTI… his tip always looks cloudy but he hardly ever licks it so it apparently does not sting. Anyways... good luck and keep us updated.

  • Just FTR…males often have a cloudy, or puss-like looking drippage after urinating (just one or two drips). Especially during "the season" even if they are neutered. Totally normal....just the way the sheath cleans iself...yucky but true. I wouldn't worry about a UTI unless there was a significant change in urination pattern, or if the area was red and sore looking.

  • Glad you are taking him in to have his leg checked.

    Not to scare you but…I was talking to my next door neighbor who was walking his cat yesterday and he was saying that he only has 3 legs because the cat fell down a ladder while he was away and the person taking care of him didn't take him to be looked at by the vet. Anyway, 3 weeks later when the guy came home, the leg had to be amputated because it was infected (there was no external sign of injury other than the cat was favoring it).

  • Thank's for all your concern, If he had fallen off the top of the couch (where he likes to lay) it would have been a little different, but he jumped off my bed (not high at all) and later that day he was walking on it just fine, he just started favoring it lately. I'm not sure if he hurt it again or if it's something from before.

  • I hope your little one feels better soon..can't be too cautious with these little guys :) Good luck & please let us know how it turns out.

  • It's just like kids. Just when you think they're getting better they do something else or they get worse…and they can talk!!!! Being a mom whether it be to kids or bs is a guilt ridden job. We can only follow out gut feelings and hope for the best. I'm sure the cat is the exception to the rule and not the norm. I think your guy will be fine. Good Luck.

  • Well, we are back from the vet. I am told not to worry about the infection I thought he had, it's probably just him growing up and it being mating season. as for his let, he has a swollen knee and I should keep him from stressing it and have him eat 1/4 pill 2x a day of an anti-inflamitory/pain killer, like tylenol (i think).in a week, i will return and see if he is better and if an x-ray is needed.

  • I am glad you got a GOOD report! Thanks for the update!!

  • @etzbseder:

    Well, we are back from the vet. I am told not to worry about the infection I thought he had, it's probably just him growing up and it being mating season. as for his let, he has a swollen knee and I should keep him from stressing it and have him eat 1/4 pill 2x a day of an anti-inflamitory/pain killer, like tylenol (i think).in a week, i will return and see if he is better and if an x-ray is needed.

    Hopefully NOT Tylenol..as acetaminaphen is toxic for most dogs. Hopefully it was something the vet perscribed. Is it is his knee (rear leg), or his elbow (front leg). If it is his rear leg, he may have a bad patella. They can pop in and out, the dog can appear to be limping, and then be fine.

  • @Quercus:

    Hopefully NOT Tylenol..as acetaminaphen is toxic for most dogs. Hopefully it was something the vet perscribed. Is it is his knee (rear leg), or his elbow (front leg). If it is his rear leg, he may have a bad patella. They can pop in and out, the dog can appear to be limping, and then be fine.

    Good points Andrea (especially the Tylenol)… I was wondering the same thing if it was his patella. but if there was swelling, could just be joint problems... or joint problems leading to something more serious

  • it was his front left leg and his elbow was a little swolen, but even now it's doing better, and no , not tylenol. the vet gave me "Rimady"

  • @etzbseder:

    it was his front left leg and his elbow was a little swolen, but even now it's doing better, and no , not tylenol. the vet gave me "Rimady"

    Be very careful with Rimady….. and you can seach the internet about it... (and should)... short term should not be a problem (usually) but it does/can have terrible side effects

  • This may sound gross but-Shadow sometimes does not clean himself enough-I put a little corn syrup near his opening on his sheath and he starts to clean himself again.

  • @nomrbddgs:

    This may sound gross but-Shadow sometimes does not clean himself enough-I put a little corn syrup near his opening on his sheath and he starts to clean himself again.

    I would be a bit concerned that some would get into his urethra and start a UTI. I think maybe a baby wipe might be a bit safer for cleaning those areas.

  • While I've got people looking at this, my B also has a minor umbilical hernia, I was wondering, how big of an issue is it, and should I get him fixed. Do the potential problems get overweighed by the benefits?

  • @etzbseder:

    While I've got people looking at this, my B also has a minor umbilical hernia, I was wondering, how big of an issue is it, and should I get him fixed. Do the potential problems get overweighed by the benefits?

    Umbilical hernia are NO problem… 75% of all Basenjis have them... when you have him neutered they can fix it then.

    A couple of my girls had quite large ones and were never a problem not even then they whelped litters

  • @etzbseder:

    While I've got people looking at this, my B also has a minor umbilical hernia, I was wondering, how big of an issue is it, and should I get him fixed. Do the potential problems get overweighed by the benefits?

    That is usually not a big deal. The majority of Basenjis are born with umbilical hernias.

    Should you get him fixed? As in neutered? Yes. Should you get the hernia fixed? They could do it when they neuter him if it bothers you…but it isn't a health concern unless it is quite big.

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    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
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