Anybody's thoughts on Basenji health issues

[maxamali]

Hey out there…. just joined this forum and am anxious to meet other basenji owners! I have two..Max and Amali. I got Amali (18mos) from B.R.A.T. good little girl but have noticed she has become lame in her left front leg...developed a mass on her first joint...I doubt any of you are vets...however I am curious if any of you have encountered similiar condition in front legs....both front legs tend to bow out at this same joint..anyway i have consulted with my vet and will be seeing a specialist tomorrow for evaluation...I guess I am looking to see if this condition is breed specific or just unfortunate twist of fate.....

[tanza]

@maxamali:

Hey out there…. just joined this forum and am anxious to meet other basenji owners! I have two..Max and Amali. I got Amali (18mos) from B.R.A.T. good little girl but have noticed she has become lame in her left front leg...developed a mass on her first joint...I doubt any of you are vets...however I am curious if any of you have encountered similiar condition in front legs....both front legs tend to bow out at this same joint..anyway i have consulted with my vet and will be seeing a specialist tomorrow for evaluation...I guess I am looking to see if this condition is breed specific or just unfortunate twist of fate.....

I would "not" consider this a condition of the breed, but possible the lack of good breeding or "twist of fate" as in maybe an accident as a baby. While there are a few cases of bad elbows in our breed, it is not very common. If the legs bow out, I would have to say this is a conformation defect from the sounds of it…. and hopefully nothing more. I would be concerned about the mass ... that would not be normal...

[sharronhurlbut]

I have also seen some b's not many who have been raised on Wal-Mart food…these dogs do have issues with the bones...
Hopefully, you will share what you find and we can learn along with you.

[maxamali]

I have been feeding both B's IAMS weight control…..

[lvoss]

It sounds like she could have Rickets, http://www.seefido.com/canine-dog-health/html/rickets_in_dog_or_canine.htm

Poor nutrition while the growth plates are open can cause these types of problems. Since you got her at 18 months the damage was probably done long before you got her.

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, yes, I didn't mean to make it sound like YOU did this to this basenji.
If I did, I am so sorry…no, I meant that this is done when the dogs are young, puppies, and have bad food.
Do let us know what you find, and again, if I came across as you were the problem, I didn't mean to...

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, yes, I didn't mean to make it sound like YOU did this to this basenji.
If I did, I am so sorry…no, I meant that this is done when the dogs are young, puppies, and have bad food.
Do let us know what you find, and again, if I came across as you were the problem, I didn't mean to...

[maxamali]

Two weeks ago I posted a note regarding my female Basenji-Amali. I mentioned that she was lame in her left leg and was fishing for any insight regarding the symptons that I was noticing. I have since sent her to a surgeon for a formal diagnosis/prognosis. She was diagnosed with a hyperextension of her left carpal. Basically her wrist (not elbow as I origionally suggested). The doctor described it as a complete breakdown of all intracarpal ligaments. A joint tap (withdrawl of fluid from the inflammation of the joint) was done and the fluid came out normal. Since I saw a surgeon I got a surgeon's opinion which was a procedure that requires the implantation of a plate to fuse the joint. This procedure is called a carpal arthodesis. It is invasive and expensive..$4,000….though their is a success rate to this procedure the surgeon felt it will eventually need to be done to the right front leg as well since there is early indication of the same diagnosis. The post-op treatment is lengthy and complications could develop.Long story short I am electing to go without surgery and treat with anti-inflammatory medicine as well as a joint supplement. My vet as assured me that the dog is happy and can live as normal of a life as possible given this type of injury. Thanks for the feedback.

[seko]

And $4,000 is only for fixing one wrist :eek:
Difficult choice to make, I am sure you will make the right one!

[lvoss]

Has Amali had a full thyroid panel run? I know of one dog who had severe cartiledge damage that was caused by undiagnosed hypothyroidism. It may not have anything to do in Amali's case but if she is hypothyroid, getting that under control may save her other wrist.

[maxamali]

Good question…I'll check with my vet...

[tanza]

@seko:

And $4,000 is only for fixing one wrist :eek:
Difficult choice to make, I am sure you will make the right one!

And here in No. Cal, it would be twice that much…. I thing that what she is doing for now is the right choice...

What kind of anti-inflammatory did they give you? And over the counter joint supplements work great also.... I have always given my elders Move Free...

[maxamali]

Medicine is at home I can't think of it right off hand…will let you know...

[zackthebasenji]

My basenji has also been diagnosed with carpal hyperextension as well…and we too are debating the surgery vs. physical therapy, etc...i was was wondering what folks have seen overall in terms of recovery via the p. therapy route?

[tanza]

@zackthebasenji:

My basenji has also been diagnosed with carpal hyperextension as well…and we too are debating the surgery vs. physical therapy, etc...i was was wondering what folks have seen overall in terms of recovery via the p. therapy route?

If it was me, I would give PT a shot first before surgery, but that is just my opinion.

Did they (Vets) says what the expect success rate of PT is for this problem?

[LindaH]

@maxamali:

Long story short I am electing to go without surgery and treat with anti-inflammatory medicine as well as a joint supplement.

For a joint supplement, I can highly recommend (from personal experience with our previous Basenji, Maxx), Missing Link Plus. It's expensive at places like Petco and PetsMart, but you can find it much cheaper by doing an Internet search.