Hey all, I am Dee from Arkansas my Basenji Stormy Ifound out has the fanconi disease. i figured she did when i noticed her drinking alot of water last month. I took her to the vet and he has two of them I had not been to the vet for her except for her shots once a year. But I am on ss and no money to spare but I took her in and told him up front what was wrong and what she had been doing and right away he knew what she had and I told him I just wanted to make sure and that I had no money for all the tests. So I left came home and cried and gues I am watching her die, but she plays runs and pees all the time and she stays out alot with my St. Bernard except at nite and some during the day. So what do I give her feed her to help her live longer, any suggestions I would appreciate.
All I can say is that I'm almost speechless.
Please, you must find a way to have the blood gas test done. If you don't, I have to say, yes, you are watching her die. The meds Stormy would need are not particularly expensive, but in order to determine how many she needs, you have to have the blood gas results. With the Fanconi protocol, she could conceivably live a long and relatively 'normal' life. There are Basenjis with Fanconi who have lived as long as 18 years old, and been able to show, lure course, and be loving companions. Perhaps you could contact a local dog club that might be able to help you with the cost? Ask your vet if there are resources to help seniors with dogs needing veterinary care. Try every way you can think of, for Stormy's sake.
Terry
yes, please please please get the blood gasses done. Is your vet familiar with the Fanconi Protocol? Don't know how much it is there but it is around $150 for both the blood gasses and blood chemistry here in CT.
My basenji Tayda has Fanconi and Terry is right - the supplements are not a lot of money. The bicarbs, for example, which are the most critical part of the protocol are about $20 for a 1000 count bottle!
please please please find a way to do it! Stormy will be so grateful and will be with you for a lot longer! Fanconi is definitely fatal if not treated but if treated Stormy could be with you for a long long time!
Dee,
Here is a webpage with some resources to help seniors with the costs of veterinary care! I got these with just a few seconds of searching, I am sure there are others.
http://beingstray.com/dogs/veterinary-assistance-for-seniors-with-pets/
I think at least one of the organizations may be able to help you. Also, some veterinarians will work out credit arrangements, so you could ask about that.
Dee,
I am so very sorry to hear about your Stormy. I hope you find some help in what to do for her so she will be around, painless, for years to come.
Thank you all soooooooo much I called another vet and he has been nice enough for me to have a payment plan. I am so excited and know Story will be much better. I just hate to ask for assistance but then for her I would . So will let you all know how she gets. Thanks for the hear felt cares. Nothing like a Basenji to care for you can,t go pee with out them following you but would not have it any other way, haaaaaaaa.
Dee -
That's fantastic! Here is the Gonto Protocol - if you or your vet does not already have it…
http://www.basenjihealth.org/FanconiProtocol.pdf
Good luck and please let us know how she is doing. Also, there is a yahoo group for those with Fanconi dogs that you could join - we share tips on pilling and other issues related to keeping our Fanconi dogs happy… would love to see you there!
@DOG:
Thank you all soooooooo much I called another vet and he has been nice enough for me to have a payment plan. I am so excited and know Story will be much better. I just hate to ask for assistance but then for her I would . So will let you all know how she gets. Thanks for the hear felt cares. Nothing like a Basenji to care for you can,t go pee with out them following you but would not have it any other way, haaaaaaaa.
Fantastic news…I'm glad it is working out. Definitely please keep us updated to how she makes out.
I'm so happy to hear that Stormy will get the care she needs! I know what it is like to worry about them. Don't be afraid to contact the groups listed on that website though. I bet they would be able to help you out with costs for her care, and she deserves the best care you can get for her! A lot of those groups are set up because some one has left money just for these kinds of cases, you might as well get the benefit from that.
Best wishes to you and Stormy.
Awesome, I am happy for Stormy and you. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions, we have several brilliant peeps on here, and I know they are ready to help if questions arise.
GOOD LUCK and be sure and let all of us know how both of you are doing.
Rita Jean
Dee, I am so glad to hear this! I pray that you have caught the Fanconi early and she will do well on the protocol.
We are on our 5th and 6th Fanconi dogs; it was breaking my heart to hear that she might not be able to get treatment, because I know how rapidly it can progress.
Big hugs to Stormy from California!!
Terry
I'm so happy that you worked things out with the vet - hopefully Stormy can be with you for a long time to come.
Please let us know what the test results show…we are all wanting to support you and your b.
Hi Dee,
i am so glad you have got things sorted for Stormy, have just read your post. In the UK we have a charity PDSA to help people on low incomes with vets bills.
The other thing i was going to suggest was a garage sale, over here we have car boots and i saw someone at the weekend with a stall to raise money for her Dogs operation.
Well gang I took Stormy to the vet Thursday-6-04-09 and he ran all the tests and will get them back next week. He has two Basenjies of his own and they come to work with him so he knows the breed. I know if anything happens to her I will get another one but will ask the breeder if the pups have been tested. I look at all the pictures of all your dogs you have posted and they all look alike how weird. But they need to really find out why and how this breed gets the disease they have, if I had the money I so would invest it in a vet school to find a cure.Then I would feed the homeless. Take care all and will check back next week.
@DOG:
Well gang I took Stormy to the vet Thursday-6-04-09 and he ran all the tests and will get them back next week. He has two Basenjies of his own and they come to work with him so he knows the breed. I know if anything happens to her I will get another one but will ask the breeder if the pups have been tested. I look at all the pictures of all your dogs you have posted and they all look alike how weird. But they need to really find out why and how this breed gets the disease they have, if I had the money I so would invest it in a vet school to find a cure.Then I would feed the homeless. Take care all and will check back next week.
Now that we have the DNA test for Fanconi there is never a reason ever to have a Basenji come down with Fanconi. It is up to breeders to make sure that Basenjis that will be bred, be tested. It is a simple cheek swab DNA test. So, in effect, the cure has been found….. at least going forward.... provided that ALL breeders use the test.
Dog Lover, I am glad to hear that you have taken Stormy to the vet and most of all, that you have a vet that knows basenjis, that alone is very good. Keep us updated.
Well gang sad to say stormy is in doggie heaven as of the 16 when she passed away at the vets office. He said he had never seen a basenji go down so fast because her tests were not that bad and she really had only show signs of the disease in early may. But I am on the hunt for another one and have her picture up as my desk top back ground on the pc. I found a breeder in waldron ark and she shows alot of her dogs and wins alot she has a web site on next day pets and top dog basenji those two sites. Her dogs are soooooooooo expensive but adorable. We are headed their this weekend to look. So I guess I am a person for punishment by getting another one but once you have one thats it you want more but this time I will be on top of ever thing she does. So check you all later and send pictures.
I am sad to hear about Stormy. Go look at www.ripoffreport.com before you go and see Tammie. I spoke to her a while back and she may be great but I did not care for her on the phone. Most of her time is on Bloodhounds and I beleive and I think the reason she still has puppies is because she wants to much money for them. I think you need to look at her contract it has in it she will send off AKC paperwork and after with proof you have had the puppy fixed she shall send you the AKC. Let me know what you think.
Rita Jean
