Skip to content

Basenji Eyes

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Please let us know how the vet opthomologist visit went. Any news? Sending postive thoughts and wishes yours and Keba's way.

  • Hello again.

    I found out this evening that my vet was wrong. My dog is NOT blind. She can still see a little bit. She does not have PRA but rather optic neuritis caused by some kind of infection which then causes the optic disk to swell. The veterinary opthomologist (VO) was a great guy. He talked to us for a while and then set up a little obstacle course which Keba slowly negotiated. Then he turned off the lights and she wouldn't do it. Then he did the exam. Keba has a referral to see a vertinary neurologist, hopefully tomorrow. The VO said that the neurologist would prob do a spinal tap, figure out what's wrong and then give her a shot of steroids and maybe something else. He also said that she should regain some of her sight but not all of it.

    The VO smiled when I asked him if he knew Basenjis and then he said "of course I know Basenjis, I'm the eye man".

    Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions, ideas and good thoughts. We're not in the clear here yet. You all are wonderful. I'll keep you posted.

  • Well at least you know… and sounds like there is treatment... and good thoughts coming your way.....

  • Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted.

  • Thanks so much for sharing here with us…I would have NEVER thought there was VOs or VNs!! WOW!! I swear I love this board because I'm always learning something new.

  • @jys1011:

    Thanks so much for sharing here with us…I would have NEVER thought there was VOs or VNs!! WOW!! I swear I love this board because I'm always learning something new.

    There is just about any kind of specialist that humans have. Over the years, my B had his regular vet (GP :)) an opthomologist, neurologist, physical therapist, dentist, psychiatrist (animal behaviorist), and oncologist (for his chemo when he had cancer)….and I know there are many more.....

  • Hello Everybody. We saw the Neurologist on Friday and he did a spinal tap on Saturday morning. The initial results are a UTI and something else that may be autoimmune related. He called my regular vet to check initial blood tests for thyroid level and said that they look normal. Samples of the spinal fluid were sent to a lab in Texas, meanwhile Keba is on Amoxicillin and Prednisone beginning yesterday. If she doesn't improve quickly then he will up the dosage.

  • It sounds like Keba is getting very good care–both from her doctors and her mom. How do they do the spinal tap on a dog? Was she under anesthesia? Was it painful for her after?

  • The spinal tap took only about 45 minutes from start to finish. The vet gave her what he called a "little gas" because she had to be totally still. They also shaved a large spot from the back of her ears to her shoulders. There was a small spot on the back of her neck where they drew the sample. She was a little groggy but she didn't exhibit any pain and was all better later in the day.

  • I'm glad to hear the spinal tap went so easily. What a brave little girl Keba is. When I first saw she was getting a spinal tap, I thought oh–that sounds painful. I hope things start improving for her.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji Dandruff

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    973 Views
    senjisillyS
    My Valentino had terrible dandruff. His vet said it was due to dry skin. She had me add Goat's milk and coconut oil to his diet. His dandruff lessened dramatically after about a month. The amount of coconut oil (solid or liquid) per day should be no more than 1 teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight. Valentino is about 27 lbs. so I give him about 2.5-3 teaspoons a day. I divide the amount in half and add it too his meals. I feed goat milk rarely because it is so high in calories.
  • Two blue eyes female Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    55
    0 Votes
    55 Posts
    10k Views
    ZandeZ
    @maddyrien Not sure that I understand the question. Hackles can go up, they can get a lovely counter-ridge along the back, if annoyed, angry or just apprehensive. In winter some grow quite a thick mane and a positive winter coat but then they shed (!) and the first place it usually starts to 'go' is on the top of the head, between the ears. Thereafter daily grooming becomes essential - for the sake of the furniture -
  • Is this a Basenji?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    20k Views
    ShannaniganS
    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.
  • Itching Basenji!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    8k Views
    nobarkusN
    It's most likely a yeast infection. They get it in the ears quite often. Buddy has a yeast infection right now on his stomach.
  • Lazy basenjis!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    7k Views
    B
    @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
  • Basenji red eyes…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    M
    My first Basenji would have nice bright white eyes. I would take her mnt biking with me and her eyes would be red and watery. My other 2 never experienced this. It's probably allergies. The older I get, the worse my allergies get. I have also developed new allergies. Things like Russian Olive never bothered me, now my eyes start flowing and my sinuses become highly irratated. If the concentration is high, I have trouble breathing. Talk your vet about OTC allergy medications and dosage. If your Basenji shows the same symptoms indoors and they do not improve, consider having your ducts cleaned and an electronic air cleaner installed.