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  3. Okay, who has the smallest Basenji? :)

Okay, who has the smallest Basenji? :)

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • WooflessW

    I read the thread about larger Basenjis….
    Now let's hear it for the petite pups in the bunch!!

    My BRAT girl Tana is tiny (one of her nicknames is Tiny Tana)....She fluctuates between 14-15 pounds and she's a good 4-5 inches shorter than Jibini (who basically fits the standard).

    Here's a picture that illustrates the size difference.

    She's got such a fine framed build plus she's one of those who simply WON'T keep weight on her, either. She eats almost double the amount of food that Jibini eats (Taste of the Wild). Any less than that and she starts looking anorexic. For such a little dog, she's quick and she's tough! We joke that she's made of springs and rubber- and she bosses Jibini around with no problem when she needs to :)

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  • S

    Have you had her thyrod tested?
    It might help her put weight on.
    Also there are food extras you can feed…like satin balls...someone on the list has this posted.
    Cute girl... but tiny...any idea where she came from?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • WooflessW

    We'll be getting her thyroid checked in the very near future; especially since I've read about a lot of these puppymill B's developing thyroid problems early (she's 3). She isn't displaying any other symptoms but it's worth a check.

    I've thought about trying the satin balls; never did because we were on the road all the time. Now that we're home I might give it a try.

    She came from a mill closeout in Missouri. Sadly, she's 5 generations of nothing but mill. I don't know how to get a direct link, but search the pedigree database for "WL's Tonya Ann"- that's her. According to the database she has a littermate that tested clear for Fanconi…fingers crossed that she is, too.

    Supposedly she had a litter (on her first heat :mad: ) but the poor pups must be out there adrift somewhere because they're not on the database with her. Despite everything she's been through, she has blossomed well and really is an absolute love :D

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  • nobarkusN

    Yep, get that thyroid checked right away. Go to this link.
    http://www.apubasenjis.com/bhealth.html

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • nomrbddgsN

    Make sure they do the full panel too. Don't let them tell you otherwise!

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

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  • MacPackM

    Full panel on Eddie at U of Michigan including shipping was a bit over $100. They sent results with 'no recommendation for treatment" but I e-mailed Dr. Dodds of Hempopet and she went over all the abnormals and recommended treatment, my vet agreed. Pretty soon Eddie was chasing squirrels at the park again and running around and lost 3 lbs.

    So even with a full panel, if there are any abnormals at all, and they don't recommend treatment, get a second opinion from an expert.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • wizardW

    Despite her potential problems I bet she is absolutely a sweetie.
    And kudos to you for the resuce.

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  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

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    P
    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
  • TagarooT

    Is this a Basenji?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    So many of those poses and positions are the same things I see Paco do. I'm also no expert, and Paco's my first dog that's mine-all-mine for me to watch all the time, but I feel like Tag's face is very Basenji-like…and if he yodels as well... if he doesn't have Basenji in him, I'd at least say you could describe him to others as a Basenji-like dog.
  • Ninabeana26N

    Those Basenji ears?!?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    Our red girl dog has the same problem. Freaks out when you touch her ears with a swab, but loves the inside of her ears rubbed when petting her. You know the two handed ear & cheek rub. That gave me an idea!. I found some real soft white - tight gardening gloves (unused), gave her an ear massage and cleaned her ears out. it worked well. I was extra careful not to push the dirt down her ears, but did kind of a wiping motion out and away from her inner ears. She loved it!
  • B

    Do Basenjis shed?

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    MantisM
    shedding will change dramatically depending on the food….
  • tewwi22T

    Lazy basenjis!

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    @jys1011: HA HA..I was thinking the same thing…where do I get a bamboo stick?? Asia is the best place.:D :D :D But I do have some in the back yard.:D
  • B

    Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    An update on Ben's condition. He had his teeth cleaned this morning and the vet had to remove several teeth. A large tooth in the back of the mouth had a cavity that went all the way to the root. He never lost his appetite during the whole ordeal or seemed to have any sensetivity of his mouth. I hope this is the end of the suffering he was going through. He was a rescue dog so we don't have the previous owners records as to dental care he had in the past. You can be sure he will be monitored from here on out for any sign of tooth decay or tarter build up. Thanks to everyone who replyed to my inquiry on Basenji health.