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Incontinence Issues

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • R

    My 9 year old female basenji is urinating in her sleep. The vet thinks she is dealing with incontinence issues due to post-menopause. He prescribed some estrogen pills and said it should really help her. Anyone deal with this same issue? I haven't started the pills yet….I'm a little nervous about it.

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  • T

    Oh I just read and replied to your other thread as well…

    I wonder if Ramsey could have a UTI? Very common in Basenjis with Fanconi - and the urinanalysis can come back negative even if there is a UTI present.

    From what I've read I would do a double/triple check for Fanconi.

    Sugar in urine + normal/low sugar in the blood = Fanconi.

    Sugar in urine + HIGH sugar in the blood = Diabetes.

    The most important part about getting Fanconi under control - if it is Fanconi, is to find a vet able to do a venous blood gas test. My vet does it with their normal I-stat machine and a cartridge. When I was looking for a vet to do it... lots had the I-stat machine, but many did not have the required cartridge.

    please feel free to ask any other questions.... there's lots of experience and knowledge on here about Fanconi - if that ends up being what little Ramsey has....

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

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  • R

    Thanks for your reply! This thread is about my other basenji, Clea. The vet did do a u/a that came back negative.

    I was talking to him last night and we both agreed Clea should get checked for hypothyroidism…but I don't think that has anything to do with her incontinence. She seems well except for incontinence, weight gain and not as perky as she usually is. So, it looks like I'll be bringing both my basenjis to the vet next week.

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  • T

    @ramseyclea:

    Thanks for your reply! This thread is about my other basenji, Clea. The vet did do a u/a that came back negative.

    I was talking to him last night and we both agreed Clea should get checked for hypothyroidism…but I don't think that has anything to do with her incontinence. She seems well except for incontinence, weight gain and not as perky as she usually is. So, it looks like I'll be bringing both my basenjis to the vet next week.

    The incontinence, weight gain and energy level could certainly be due to low Thyroid. When you check the thyroid, be sure to have the full panel done, not just what normal blood work would show. It has to be sent out for the full panel, your vets normal workup will not include all the details you need to know.

    It is not uncommon for older dogs to have incontence issues, however IMO, yours is a bit young for this to be happening, maybe if she were 12 to 14. It would still push for a UTI, many times they do not show up on the test… But if determined that really is incontinence, I have used the hormore replacement and it works great with no side effects.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • R

    @tanza:

    The incontinence, weight gain and energy level could certainly be due to low Thyroid. When you check the thyroid, be sure to have the full panel done, not just what normal blood work would show. It has to be sent out for the full panel, your vets normal workup will not include all the details you need to know.

    It is not uncommon for older dogs to have incontence issues, however IMO, yours is a bit young for this to be happening, maybe if she were 12 to 14. It would still push for a UTI, many times they do not show up on the test… But if determined that really is incontinence, I have used the hormore replacement and it works great with no side effects.

    I didn't know incontinence was one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. So, I'm kind of glad to hear that. I know the weight gain and low energy level are definitely symptoms (I suffer from hypothyroidism myself). I will tell the vet to do the ful panel. Thanks for all the advice! This is such a great resource!

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  • T

    @ramseyclea:

    I didn't know incontinence was one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. So, I'm kind of glad to hear that. I know the weight gain and low energy level are definitely symptoms (I suffer from hypothyroidism myself). I will tell the vet to do the ful panel. Thanks for all the advice! This is such a great resource!

    There are many things that can be a result of low thyroid…. maybe not directly connected, but a off shoot of the condition. My OJ was loaded with hives... and regardless of what we gave him they would come back over and over... finally tested his thyroid and it was very, very low... put him on Soloxine and never another hive.... so while hives is not generally a symtom of low thyroid, the fact that it lowered immunities in other respects, hives popped up....

    Not saying this is the cause... but again her age is pretty young for this problem, IMO. So best to rule out other things before moving on to hormones... and again I would still not rule out a UTI

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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5 Sept 2009, 04:45

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  • M

    anal glands issue!

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    Okay... nothing wrong with her died or getting your food. You can keep her as she is, just add in fiber. And perhaps stool softeners for a bit. I actually gave my basenji liquid dissolvable fiber regularly because she would refuse to potty if it rained and ended up with anal gland rupture. But you can add in green beans, ground carrots or other veggies, even fibrous treats. However, I can't say enough negative about rawhide. Please throw them away. Although it has been almost 35 years, I am still distressed when I remember watching a dog choke to death on one, with 4 adults trying to hold the dog down to get it out of its mouth, the kennel owner getting chewed up horribly in the process, the terrible death. Saved from old post: Pet Health Info FROM: Seaside Animal Care was recently awarded the 1999 National Practice of Excellence Award (click here for details) from Veterinary Medical Publishing and an educational grant from Pfizer. We are one of just over 50 practices ever to receive this honor! WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GIVING YOUR PETS RAWHIDE CHEWS. They expand when wet and are the number one cause of intestinal obstruction at our hospital. They are poorly effective at "cleaning the teeth". Instead, we recommend chew-safe toys such as Nylabone® and Kong® products. Contact the hospital for additional information when selecting safe chew-toys for your loved one.<< While I find it LUDICROUS that they first state they are harmless then say they have seen it ALL, this does indeed support that they are not uncommon as you indicate: 2. From the AAHA: American Animal Hospital Association Miscellaneous Pet Care: Are raw hide chews safe? Answer Rawhide chews are pretty harmless. The problems come when they swallow them whole. They either choke on them, or the rawhide balls up in the stomach and causes gastritis or blockage. We've seen it all. Moderation is the key. One every once in a while is OK, but they shouldn't be included as a regular toy or part of the diet. In addition it's usually best to supervise or at least be nearby when your pet is chewing on any toy. << Diet - Treats and Snacks It is interesting to me that a number of veterinarians I have spoken with do say that they have seen problems associated with these toys. Their experience differs from mine. I practice in a rural area and sometimes I think that I just don't have enough patients to see all the problems that vets who practice in more crowded areas do. << OMG, they sell it yet their vets admit it is dangerous!!! Acme Pet - Pet Health Questions Ask Acme Pet'sExperts Q. I have a one year old mix JRT, she is a great dog. But the problem I have with her is that, whenever I give her a chewy like those basted sticks. I have to watch her because she will make it all soft, not bite a piece and eat it. She makes it soft and swallows half while she is still chewing the other end. She has almost choked on me twice. This happens with the square chewees too. A. I would suggest you not give them to her anymore. Many dogs die of intestinal obstruction each year due to rawhide. Find something else, which is safer, to give her.<< petcare Okay, this is a petstore, not a vet but thought their concern worth noting! In addition, we don't carry rawhide chews in order to assure the safest play experience for your pet. Rawhide chews, when gobbled or eaten in large quantities, can cause choking or possible obstruction in dogs. << vet@dog - Holidays - Chocolate and other dangerous goodies FROM: Dr. Lucy L. Pinkston, D.V.M. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs' ears) for more details.<< I could go on, but the bottom line is, if it is SOMETIMES, even rarely, dangerous, and it isn't NECESSARY, why do it?
  • A

    Thyroid issues.

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    T
    @Abaihya think you need a new Vet, no way should the Thyroid blood test be that price.... They draw the blood and it is sent out....
  • Z

    Skin Issues?????

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    D
    I was only recommending a shampoo to use in the future, not one that would clear up any skin problems. If the dog has allergies, she needs to be careful about what kind of general shampoo to use. Jennifer
  • D

    Fanconi test issues?

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    D
    Pretty sure there is a board post about it, but I THINK there was a contamination issue or something. Certainly have not heard of any issues in a long time.
  • B

    Issues with legs

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    D
    How old is your dog? I would take her to a specialty clinic or university clinic that would have both a neurologist and an orthopedist. My 1 year old deaf rescue girl who is a herding/spitz mix has shuffling feet, tremors, and other problems. She was seen first by the neurologist and they suggested x-rays and more testing. My regular vet did take x-rays of the neck, back and hips. I took her to an orthopedist to review the x-rays. Since she was a stray they do not know what caused the problem but it was suggested distemper or perhaps another infectious disease. I just took her to an opthalmologist and her eyes are good but she does have sensitivity to light. Distemper almost always causes eye problems. The specialists are suggesting an MRI of the back, neck and a spinal tap for her. If your dog was adopted as a puppy or an older pup, I would check with the Humane Society to see if she may have had distemper or some other disease. Did she have an accident where she might have injured her back or neck? You might want to look into getting a doggy wheelchair since she has good movement in her front legs. I am sorry for the problems your girl is having and I hope you find out what is causing it. Jennifer
  • J

    Dental issues

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    N
    Periodontal disease is a tough one to get on top of once it takes hold (in both humans and dogs) because the bacteria gets down in the pockets and it is very difficult to keep clean. People have better luck because they have the ability to floss daily, but that is very difficult with a dog – and believe me, I've tried. :D Periodontal disease is not the same as an auto-immune disease that dogs can get (lest I be accused of getting them confused). I believe the reason our furry companions, and especially the dry-mouth (non-slobbering types) often get it is because of a couple things in addition to not being able to floss. 1. They don't slobber so their mouths really don't get a good natural rinse, and 2. they are fed an unnatural diet. In the wild they would be crunching up bones which acts like a natural toothbrush/floss, and they wouldn't be eating cereal grains which are carbs on steroids turning to sugar once it hits the saliva. There are kibbles out there that do not contain grains which may help by keeping the sugars at bay in the mouth. Evo is one, Instinct is another. Feeding raw is a great alternative. I am also a big fan of the PetzLife product and think it works wonders to keep plaque at bay on the teeth, but not sure how well it works with the plague and bacteria already under the gumline. My rat terrier does not have periodontal disease. I feed him Evo and brush his teeth daily (with a three-sided toothbrush) with Petzlife and he has the teeth of a two year old which isn't bad considering he's almost 11. If his gut could handle it I'd feed him raw, but that has not bode well with him unfortunately. FWIW, in a past life I worked as a chairside assistant for a dentist so I do know a bit about teeth and periodontal disease. I came away from that experience realizing that if I were on a deserted island I'd rather have an endless supply of dental floss vs. a toothbrush. I would be more likely to keep my teeth with the first rather that the latter. Now if we could just figure out how to floss a dog's teeth. :)