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Getting sick

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • My Basenji has been getting sick after he drinks water. Just started a couple of weeks ago. He is now a year old. I will be taking him in for his update shots in less than a month and will ask the vet. He seems to act fine afterwards and is very hyper. I just know this is not normal. Sometimes it is just water and if he has just ate it is also his food that comes up. I have been keeping just enough water in his bowl for a couple of drinks at a time and seem to help a little.

  • Has he been keeping any food or water down? I would be concerned about some kind of intestinal blockage… Lenny got into some stuff he shouldn't have but it took a few months before it resulted in an actual blockage. Apparently it was just sitting in his stomach for a while and then when it started to make its way into his small intestine, THATS when he started throwing up.

  • @Tayda_Lenny:

    Has he been keeping any food or water down? I would be concerned about some kind of intestinal blockage… Lenny got into some stuff he shouldn't have but it took a few months before it resulted in an actual blockage. Apparently it was just sitting in his stomach for a while and then when it started to make its way into his small intestine, THATS when he started throwing up.

    And that is what happened with Kristii years ago also….

  • Yes….he does keep food down...he will just eat again. It is only when he sits and drinks quite a bit of water...? when I see him drinking, I make him stop after a few licks and he seems to do okay. For some reason he will sit and drink the whole bowl?

  • @Zandersmom:

    Yes….he does keep food down...he will just eat again. It is only when he sits and drinks quite a bit of water...? when I see him drinking, I make him stop after a few licks and he seems to do okay. For some reason he will sit and drink the whole bowl?

    You could try ice cubes in lieu of the bowl of water. That will slow him down. We put food in the water so they don't eat so fast as well. That may help too.

  • I know some breeds have raised water/food bowls so the dogs are "level" when they eat.
    Don't know if this will help here, but its worth a try.

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    The alpha dog does not squeal when nipped. You should be the alpha dog, not a litter mate. Making a noise like that shows excitement, which to an already unstable minded dog, only compounds the problem. Being the alpha is a mindset. If you watch an alpha dog, they get what they want by intimidation 99% of the time. There is very little aggression but a lot of persuasion. This is why you don’t take things off a dog, you persuade them to drop whatever it is, then remove it. Being the alpha is very much about mindset, posture, willpower, stubbornness, eye contact and voice tone. When the dog nips, straighten up and assume a commanding posture / mindset. I usually say calmly but firmly “hey” in a particular tone. They know immediately that what they just did is not acceptable and that I am serious. I also hold my hand out (not closely too them) with the palm towards them. Also, never underestimate eye contact, the alpha uses it’s eyes a lot. Notice most dogs when you stare at them will stare back and then look away. Always stay calm, never angry and always be fair.
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    I agree with Buddys Pal… if they didn't do either urinalysis or xray, I'd get them done. If you have a sick dog and the vet just sort of says "oh well, blood work looks okay".. may be time for a new vet. Something is obviously wrong.
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    This is a late answer but for someone who might read this in the future we will post it anyway. The risk is much higher to the animal and it certainly raises the risk the animal bleeding out. There is also more swelling. We were going to have our Show Basenji spayed this year. She went into heat slightly early and our vet said that we should wait until after the heat was over before he felt comfortable doing the spay for the reasons mentioned.
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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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    his personality seems to be perking up now that he has been on the batril for a week. thanks for all the info guys!!