SO frustrated with finding a VET! (long vent, sorry)

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • tanzaT

    Yea….. that is a good sign....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • MarleyJoM

    I know it gets frustrating. Our regular vet was wonderful but didnt have the machine. So off to a specialist we went. She was not very optimistic at first but soon realized we would do whatever it takes. I think the good vets appreciate owners who do their homework and honestly care about their animals. Soon you will become the "specialist" and you will need a vet that will listen and work with you. Following the protocol, keeping track of other lab values (BUN, Potassium, Crea ) and watching for urinary infections can be done by any vet. We did it for well over 7 years and dont regret a minute of it. "Pill time" became just another daily routine. So I am crossing my fingers that you find someone soon and settle into your daily routine as well. Fingers crossed.

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  • S

    When I got my first rescue basenji 100yrs ago, my vet didn't know what was happening with the drinking lots of water and losing weight.
    So, he didn't try to fool me with some type of pill, he took time to Call UC Davis vet school to find out about fanconis.
    I had brought in info from the internet.
    That is the kind of vet that I hope everyone finds.
    One who will learn and work for your dog.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • tanzaT

    Amen to that Sharron… and one that will admit that "I don't know" "but I am willing to learn".....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • dmcartyD

    I am very fortunate as my vet called me when they got a basenji in that looked like fanconi and asked if I would be willing to provide information for the owner. When the fanconi test looked to be a real thing - and I brought in the paperwork and instructions for them to have on file - all the vets came out to hear about it.

    I have some packets at that office now so that they can refer for both fanconi and basenji thyroid.

    I guess I'm just lucky although if I had an affected dog - I'm sure they don't have the blood gas machine.

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  • nomrbddgsN

    It looks promising that they are doing research. I have found a vet, that while they do not have the blood gas machine needed, we will go to the hospital, and in the parking lot, will draw the blood and will run it if ever need be. He was happy to look at all the info I provided him, including the Fanconi protocol and the Anesthesia write up. While I may never have to deal with this, God willing, at least they would try. I would definitely go in and talk to these vets personally. IMO

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • RivermoonR

    I hope this place works for you. I just had a discussion with my vet and gave him an out if he didn't want to deal with Apache if and when he gets fanconi. He doesn't have and I Stat machine, but thankfully he said he'll do whatever he can and work with us and Dr. Gonto's protocol should the time come. Luckily for me, there's a few people with fanconi dogs down here and the I stat machine won't be a problem..a drive, but that will be the least of my worries at that point.

    We'll be moving up north in a few years and I'll have to find a new vet then…I'm not looking forward to that.

    Lynn, Apache, Cheyenne, Zuni & Marlowe![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • tanzaT

    @Rivermoon:

    I hope this place works for you. I just had a discussion with my vet and gave him an out if he didn't want to deal with Apache if and when he gets fanconi. He doesn't have and I Stat machine, but thankfully he said he'll do whatever he can and work with us and Dr. Gonto's protocol should the time come. Luckily for me, there's a few people with fanconi dogs down here and the I stat machine won't be a problem..a drive, but that will be the least of my worries at that point.

    We'll be moving up north in a few years and I'll have to find a new vet then…I'm not looking forward to that.

    Up North??? where..?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • S

    Yes, where???

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • RivermoonR

    We're going to be looking in Auburn, Ca….the grandkids are near there.

    Lynn, Apache, Cheyenne, Zuni & Marlowe![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • lvossL

    You won't be too far from me then. Auburn is only about a 45 minute drive from here, provided there is no snow but it doesn't usually get that low.

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  • RivermoonR

    That's not far at all. I heard the snow usually melts fast if it does snow there.

    I'm excited about the eventual move in itself..you have so many more events up there, plus we'll be getting at least an acre of land, the pups should love that. Looking for a new vet for all the pups and for one that is familiar with or will be willing to learn about Fanconi and then finding somewhere with an I Stat machine, I'm NOT looking forward too. I'm hoping I can find someone with the machine in Sacramento, otherwise I figure UC Davis will one.

    How's it working with those vets and Tayda?

    Lynn, Apache, Cheyenne, Zuni & Marlowe![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • lvossL

    The good news is that we have lots of good vets up here. The bad news is we also have a lot of mediocre vets too. I know several whippet people up that way and can ask for vet recommendations. My repro vet is in Orangevale and is a good vet in general and used to handle basenjis so is familiar with the breed.

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  • RivermoonR

    Thanks Lisa…when the time comes, I'll be asking for them. Orangevale wouldn't be that far either. While Auburn is our first choice..especially hubbies, we will also be considering some of the other towns in that area in Placer County.

    Lynn, Apache, Cheyenne, Zuni & Marlowe![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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    tanzaT
    @Benkura: His brother is my other boy 'Cahnce' who is Clear. It's just Chance & Trouper are chalk and cheese and both have good to offer the breed. I did wonder whether neutering him would be beneficial or not. Wasn't sure if it might induce too much stress. However, I would have to stop showing him if I did that and he already has 1 CC. I would not worry about doing it now… only something to consider "IF" he starts showing symptoms.... When Jaadii came down with Fanconi it was before the DNA test was available, so no one knew until he started spilling sugar. He was fine 11 months out of the year, but during Basenji breeding season he was a mess... and that was a lot of stress on him... So being neutered was not stressful, it was NOT being neutered that was. That said, not all dogs are alike... each are different... just putting in what we found with Jaadii....
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    When I took my puppy to my vet, he said he had little knowledge of the Basenji, but he would start reading up on them. Since that time, he's thanked me for the opportunity, and says he is learning more all the time - at our last visit for final puppy shots he said he felt he was becoming quite an expert - if you come across a vet who doesn't have a lot of knowledge about them, he could quite easily love the challenge and become great on the Basenji issues. I told him I'd sent for the DNA marker kit and had Shaye tested (thank God, it was clear), and he launched into a really good discussion about the symptoms, illness, etc., and said he was glad I'd done that, but maybe in a while we would do some blood work to be sure of everything. I feel very confident with him now - so, a good vet with a love to be challenged can be an answer too.
  • VanessaV

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    lvossL
    Though my dogs have not had a reaction to a vaccine, I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to vaccines. I would rather give a benadryl to help prvent a reaction then wait and hope for the best. I say this because my cat had a severe vaccine reaction after his rabies shot. Within 20 minutes of the shot he was vomiting, the hair at the vaccination site fell out and the site became swollen. We had to rush him back to the vet to be treated for the reaction.
  • Tayda_LennyT

    Sorry if this is gross but…

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    tanzaT
    @Tayda_Lenny: I thought the Avoderm, Natures Variety, Solid Gold and Merricks were high quality foods… thats why I got them. I can get Innova or Natural Balance... I do look at the labels and make sure there's no by-products or grains in the first couple of ingredients... they seem to be over their yucky poo phase...I'll keep an eye on them. They are due for their yearly vet visit anyway, Those are good foods…. not sure why you might think they were not, but remember high quality or not, they might not suit all dogs... and it very well might have just been a bit of a tummy upset for both of them, not even related to the food.. just something to keep in mind...:)
  • DukeD

    Finding a Vet who knows Basenji?

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    M
    I live in Boise, ID. Water and Gun dogs are popular. Sighthounds are not very popular, there is an active Greyhound adoption group though. Most vets in this town have a distaste for Basenjis, if they know what they are. My present vet, loves Basenjis. My former neighbor had an Afgahn, 2 cats and some ferrets. She had nothing but good things to say about the vet down the street. So I brought my hooligans down for an interview with the staff. This office treats about 6 other Basenjis. They had only seen the red and whites in person. They knew of the other colors, but had never seen them. So when I walked in with my red and white, black and white and tri, they stopped what they were doing to met them. They also knew about the African project. Those of us who are passionate about Basenjis are few and far between. Vets are the same way. When they are they passionate, their staff is also passionate about the breed. There might be 50 vet schools between America and Canada. This is a small community. Just start cold calling and asking what they know about Basenjis and who they would recommend.