Update on Booger's "allergies"
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wrote on 8 Jan 2009, 18:51 last edited by
The vet didn't seem to be concerned that it was an immediate issue. She has many years of experience & comes highly recommended from Robyn, so I felt I could trust her (believe me, I was ready to leave Booger right then & there if I thought it would help in any way.)
He's not suffering nose bleeds, just spray of blood droplets when he sneezes (she said its probably dry nasal passages & irritation that is causing cappilaries to burst from repetitive sneezing).
Once we took him off the benadryl, his condition hasn't changed much. We will continue to monitor it & if it gets worse before his appointment next week, then we will get him to the emergency vet asap.
Also, she wants to do the x-ray first to see if there is a bad tooth that is causing this. If that doesn't reveal anything, then she will move on to the cultures. -
wrote on 8 Jan 2009, 19:13 last edited by
I made an appointment with a vet recomended by Robyn (Yodeldogs) for this morning. First, they all greeted us with "Hi basenjis!" instead of giving us funny looks. Second, Andrew knew the vet tech…. they worked together when Andrew was a kennel tech at another vet clinic 8 years ago! Third, the vet seemed sooo much more knowledgable & less like a salesperson.
I am glad that you had a good experience. You will be hard pressed to find a veterinary clinic with more experience with Basenjis than them and yes, they all love the breed. :)
I was just there yesterday with Baron. The cyst on his leg has hardened so I had a needle biopsy done. No cancer cells were seen but it's time to take the thing off. Estimate for surgery and laboratory biopsy of the mass is $400. gulps
Anyway, I hope you get to the bottom of Booger's problem soon.
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wrote on 8 Jan 2009, 19:39 last edited by
I just read this and your original post and as I was reading I was thinking, hmm might be a nasal tumor. The elderly JRT that I pet sat for years had a nasal tumor. Of course with my luck, his symptoms of droplets of blood while sneezing started when I was taking care of him one time. Freaked me out so I rushed him to the vet as an emergency because I've never seen blood from a dog's nose. The vet thought it was possibly a nasal tumor but because he was so old and already had congestive heart failure, they didn't want to do anything to try to biopsy it or resolve it because he most likely wouldn't make it thru the procedure because of the anesthetic.
Sure enough, within a couple of months, he started to develop a bump up that could be seen between his eyes, where the nasal passage goes up to the forehead.
The symptoms you describe of the sneeze and the blood droplets, was exactly how Apatche's tumor first showed itself.
Definitely not trying to alarm or scare you but wanted to pass this on.
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wrote on 8 Jan 2009, 21:28 last edited by
I am glad that you are comfortable with the Vet and wish Booger well…. Was just commenting on my experiences....
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wrote on 8 Jan 2009, 23:38 last edited by
Do let us know what you find.
Having this test done, will settle your mind, and let you know what you have to deal with. -
wrote on 9 Jan 2009, 12:56 last edited by
Yes, good luck… and keep us posted.
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wrote on 9 Jan 2009, 23:26 last edited by
Robyn - I did LOVE it!! And I wrote your name on the referral section of my paperwork… don't know if they give a discount or anything for referrals, but we put you down either way. The estimate for this ranges from $185 (for just sedation & x-ray) all the way to $450 if the x-ray reveals nothing & they have to start taking samples from his lymph nodes & stuff.
Tanza - 2 years on the forum has taught me that you are much like me. You say what's on your mind & always have the best of intentions on your mind. It sometimes comes off as offensive or blunt to those who don't know better, but I know you better than that. I know you genuinely care about Booger & wouldn't have expressed your concern unless you thought it was important! I greatly value your knowledge, expertise & opinion!
Renault - Funny you should mention that... I was doing research before taking him to the vet, and nasal tumors was something I came across. The first vet didn't mention it, but the second vet did. I appreciate you sharing your experience with me, and don't worry, I'm already scared & alarmed!
We have an appointment for Tuesday, so now we're just making sure we're available for warmth & cuddling at all times, since that's all he really wants. We took everybody to the park a couple of days ago & it seemed to perk him up a bit. Today, however, within 2 minutes of being there, he started growling at a dog that was just sniffing him. He went into full defensive & finally lunged at the dog, snarling. Andrew decided he was too miserable to be at the park so he drove him home.
I'll keep y'all updated on our appointment Tuesday. Prayers, good thoughts, etc are all appreciated. -
wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 00:07 last edited by
Just curious, has either vet run bloodwork to see if there is an elevated WBC that would indicate infection? If he has an infection like a bad tooth he is probably feeling pretty miserable which may be why he is over reacting to other dogs.
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 01:21 last edited by
Prayers, good thoughts and well wishes on the way. Hopefully it will be something that is easily treatable.
Can I just say how ironic I find it that a dog named Booger is having nasal issues?!?! Sorry….no disrespect intended...I just found it humorous :)
Hugs to all of you, try not to stress out too much.
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 01:43 last edited by
Here some good thoughts for Booger!
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 02:26 last edited by
Prayers, good thoughts and well wishes on the way. Hopefully it will be something that is easily treatable.
Can I just say how ironic I find it that a dog named Booger is having nasal issues?!?! Sorry….no disrespect intended...I just found it humorous :)
Hugs to all of you, try not to stress out too much.
Thanks for the well wishes, and I appreciate the humor. While typing my original post, I noticed I wrote the following phrase, completely unintentionally: "Unfortunately, Booger became snotty…" which made me laugh. I wondered if anybody would notice.
lvoss, no bloodwork has been suggested actually, and I hadn't thought of that. The vet is open in the morning... maybe I should call up there & ask about it. Thanks for mentioning! Any advice on what I can do to make him a little more comfortable is much appreciated. He's eating normally & is content to cuddle up with us & sleep all day long, wherever we are. -
wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 03:23 last edited by
Does he sleep in your room? If so, maybe a cool mist humidifier would help…
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 04:06 last edited by
Thanks for the well wishes, and I appreciate the humor. While typing my original post, I noticed I wrote the following phrase, completely unintentionally: "Unfortunately, Booger became snotty…" which made me laugh. I wondered if anybody would notice.
lvoss, no bloodwork has been suggested actually, and I hadn't thought of that. The vet is open in the morning... maybe I should call up there & ask about it. Thanks for mentioning! Any advice on what I can do to make him a little more comfortable is much appreciated. He's eating normally & is content to cuddle up with us & sleep all day long, wherever we are.Not to put any pressure on you or the Vet.. but to me… blood work is one of the most important tools.... and I am surprised that at least even with an appointment next week ... that they didn't take blood while he was there.... If it was me... and I am a "freak" about doing blood panels.. I would have insisted on at least that.....
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 04:10 last edited by
Honestly… and nothing against the Vets... but I have never been to a Vet with a problem that the first thing that was suggested is blood work.....
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wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 21:42 last edited by
Please let us know what the blood work shows.
Hugs for you and your b. -
wrote on 10 Jan 2009, 22:26 last edited by
Good thoughts and special prayers to you and Booger.
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wrote on 11 Jan 2009, 03:17 last edited by
Not to put any pressure on you or the Vet.. but to me… blood work is one of the most important tools.... and I am surprised that at least even with an appointment next week ... that they didn't take blood while he was there.... If it was me... and I am a "freak" about doing blood panels.. I would have insisted on at least that.....
Thanks for letting me know. As Booger & Lola are my first "grown up" dogs (my parents took care of sick dogs growing up & we never had many issues until 1 got cancer), I really honestly don't know all the things I should be looking for or asking about. I will definitely call & ask about that.
Booger does seem a LOT better today than he did yesterday, which is good. I don't take this as much of a sign of anything, but it at least makes me feel better knowing he isn't so miserable. He's a lot perkier & more playful. He gave us some playful baroos earlier, too, which is a rare treat!
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