Skip to content

Basenji ribs - to see or not to see?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • How old is Spencer? and have they done any other tests on him?

  • Spencer will be 14 this fall. He has Fanconi, so we have a vet check, bloodwork and urinalysis done every 4 months. We got "normal" (for him) results back this month, and he was negative for worms. The vet thinks he looks good, but he's starting to lose muscle mass and I think he looks bony.

  • Diggie goes swimming once a week to help build muscles. (he'll be 15 in december) it has helped, much to Digital's dismay

  • Those Basenjis are way too thin. The Sloughi is a bit thin too but the angle of the photo may be making it look worse than it is. When you get up close to them or run your hand over them, many sighthound breeds will have noticable hipbones. The thin coats and lack of body fat is the reason. The Azawahk is one of the most noticable and it really shows up in photos. Afghans are also prominant.

  • Way too thin! I believe that is beyond a cultural preference.

  • Ok I have been doing a bit of digging, but I have to be honest in that Im bitterly disappointed in the lack of responses Ive had. I think I might have sent out about 30 odd emails, all over Australia, and I have only got about 5 back, (including a very sarcastic one :confused:), most of them just wishing me good luck :mad: :mad: :mad:…

    Anyway I havent been able to get a lot of info. One person thought they knew who it may have been, but just as I was going send them an email, I got an email from the 1st person, saying that the timeline was wrong, and these 2 dogs would be progeny of the exports...

    So that leaves me slightly jaded, but not a lot clearer... In saying that Curlytails has given me another lead or two to follow, which I will get on to shortly. Thank you Curlytails for the info you found, I will chase up some of the exhibitors, (hope to get a response :(, ) and post anything I find out here...

  • Thank you for your detective work, Saba. I think it's a hard "case," but I do think that if I were the original breeder of these dogs, I would want to know what happened to them. Even as a lover of the breed, it makes me feel sad and helpless to see those pictures. I certainly can't jump on a plane to fetch those dogs, and I don't reasonably expect the original breeder to, either. But if it serves as an eye-opening example of what happens when you don't keep in touch with your puppy people, then maybe some good will come out of it…

    Meanwhile, just as you posted this, Saba, I received an e-mail from someone who was able to do more thorough detective work. They found the Malaysian Basenji owner's Rottweiler kennel, and there's full contact info there, including e-mail. I will leave you more info.

    I would like to send him an e-mail myself, but I have to think about what to say. I get angry whenever I look at that article and those pictures, but I don't think I would get very far if I just went in there guns blazing. The welfare of those two Basenjis is what concerns me. If they are sick, I hope they are getting medical attention. If they are not being fed, maybe there's a local animal welfare agency I can contact. I know there are cases like this all over the world, every day, and many far worse. It just appalls me that someone can call themselves a "dog expert" and a "top kennel," yet have dogs in such condition -- and PROUDLY display them for the press!

Suggested Topics

  • My Basenji, Polly,

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    10k Views
    B
    Polly is 9 this Christmas. Dec 14th to be exact!
  • Those Basenji ears?!?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    BarklessdogB
    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!
  • Itchy Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    11k Views
    jys1011J
    My C3 has the same itchy skin problems too mostly due to the 1001 allergies he has…but I use the Aveeno Oatmeal Ointment to help calm the itch & I also put Brewers Yeast tablets & Fish Oil tablets into his food to help keep his skin & coat healthy. Sometimes we need to bathe regularly (like once a week :eek:) in the Aveeno oatmeal shampoo to help as well. Good luck!
  • Basenji with problems

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    QuercusQ
    @etzbseder: While I've got people looking at this, my B also has a minor umbilical hernia, I was wondering, how big of an issue is it, and should I get him fixed. Do the potential problems get overweighed by the benefits? That is usually not a big deal. The majority of Basenjis are born with umbilical hernias. Should you get him fixed? As in neutered? Yes. Should you get the hernia fixed? They could do it when they neuter him if it bothers you…but it isn't a health concern unless it is quite big.
  • Who has the largest Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    63
    0 Votes
    63 Posts
    48k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    Thank you so much for the encouraging words. We have been running him with our other dogs in our yard, we have about half acre or so, and he is fast..He loves it, just don't think he is used to out heat yet, it is already about 85+ degrees and very humid…I think he looks good, he is definitely babychunky, not fat, but what I envision a puppy looking like before he grows into his own body. We will keep up with what we have done so far and see what he turns out like...can't be bad, just beautiful.. Basenjimamma
  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    6k Views
    B
    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.