Skip to content

Help

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi all. I have a 3 yrs old B&W male basenji. I have noticed that (for the last month) he appears to be catching invisible flies. Does that make sense? He will just set there and try to catch something in the air. Sometimes, he will chase something thats not there. He looks cute and funny doing it BUT im getting concerned.
    Has anyone else witnessed it? Is it normal?

  • I would get him checked out by your vet if there is truly nothing there that he's trying to catch.. I have seen a this behavour in a dog which was eventually diagnosed as a neurological problem.

  • There is a seizure disorder in dogs that expresses itself in this way. I would take him to a vet.

    That being said I have had dogs with epilepsy and seizure disorders are often quite manageable with good vet care :)

  • Yep, it is even called fly catching syndrome.
    http://www.cavalierhealth.org/flycatchers.htm

  • I have read that certain eye problems can cause this also. You will probably have to go to an opthalmologist for a complete exam.

    Does he have any other neurological symptoms?

    I would contact the breeder and see if seizures are in the lines.

    Here is a vet website with general seizure information including psychomotor seizures which is the kind that causes the flybiting. I do not know this vet.

    http://www.drjwv.com/faq/?view=37&name=Seizures%20(Epilepsy

    Jennifer

  • Have your vet check his eyes, and if he sees anything, he'll probably refer you to a vet opthalmologist. The same thing was happening with Shaye. We took her to the specialist and he found she has astigmatism right in the center of her right eye. When she is just sitting around not doing anything else, she sees that dead spot in the middle of her eye and keeps trying to catch things that are not there as well. We were afraid it was a cataract, but it is not, and should stay the way it is forever - nothing to be done about it, but maybe she will get accustomed to ignoring it after a while. We wondered about the problem being seizures as well, but that was not the problem. Do have it checked out thoroughly.

  • Do let us know what you found out from the vets.

Suggested Topics

  • Need help ASAP

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @dmcarty: Since they are so young I would assume it is each trying to figure out where they fit in the scheme of things and you may be overreacting. I will however tell you that the one breed of dogs that my basenjis have never liked is ****zu. LOL ….. you know it is all about the hair!
  • Help!

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    KipawaK
    Kipawa went through a rambunctious stage at 13 months - he didn't do anything bad, but he seemed to be 'testing' who the boss was. He was reminded, consistently. (Grin) At 15 months he started to show very nice maturation qualities and a complete understanding of his place in our family pack. Be patient, be consistent, give him lots of exercise and really praise him when he is good.
  • Help with Jack

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Have you discussed this behavior with his breeder? Have you tried a behaviorist? And are you sure it was the full thyroid panel, not just the one part that is done with Vet's regular blood work?
  • Help - peeing in the crate

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    renaultf1R
    @Lesco: We got her from Debbie Hauri in New Hampshire Welcome and congrats on your new pup…how exciting! Is this one of the pups from the Tango & Dora breeding? One thing that I did when I brought my pup home last winter was set up a crate, a litter box (with wood shaving pellets - equine pine) and put an xpen around it (also had a top on the xpen). That way when Liyah was crated for an extended time when I wasn't home, if she had to potty she could use the litter box. It was a great setup and consequently she never went to the bathroom in her crate...sometimes she partially missed the litterbox, but she was just a baby so I was happy she did as well as she did. I left the crate door open with treats, toys and soft bedding so she would choose on her own to go in the crate to sleep. I clipped the xpen closed. If you have space, I highly recommend this sort of setup so that your pup can keep her crate clean. The only other thing I would add is don't hesitate to contact Debbi with questions. She is a wonderful person, super helpful and a good breeder. Not to mention she is a good trainer so I'm sure she'd have plenty of tips. Please post pics when you get a chance...we love pics!
  • Help please before there is a problem

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    rnastoR
    Robin, could you email me please rnasto@gmail.com I need to meet later in the day like 1ish would that be alright???? I hope it is
  • Help!

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    U
    Thanks guys! I will be checking those books out!