That is very strange and I wish I had something helpful. As far as loss of muscle mass, I will say taking Digital (my 15yo brindlewonderkid) swimming once a week has helped with this, especially in the winter. In fact, my regular vet saw him last week for his yearly and asked about how I was keeping him so fit. I'm very lucky to have a wonderful hydrotherapy pool nearby. I've also noticed on the swim days, his appetite increases (as well as his water intake). This is directly related to exercise. I also do homemade muttloaf for my dogs. I started this because Digital was such a picky eater. I use it as a supplement to his regular evening kibble. (http://maryshouse.us/Recipes.htm)
of course none of this is very helpful for the immediate problem of him not being able to eat.
By process of elimination, the thinking is that it is some type of neurological problem. Spencer's tongue is curled under and he can't move it, and he does not want to open his mouth. He locks his jaws and snaps down on your fingers when you try to insert them in his mouth. There is obviously some mouth problem. He has never snapped before and usually is fine with his mouth and teeth being checked.
I have never heard of a fluoroscopy, Jennifer– thanks for mentioning it. Unfortunately, my vet has just about given up on him. I am going to try and find a neurologist, but I will have to wait until Monday at UT. I don't know if he'll make it until then. When he clamps his jaws down, like he has started to do, we are having a hard time getting food into him. He has some trouble swallowing. And he's just about had it with the catheter and the IVs-- he keeps pulling them out. The vet wants to do one more IV in the morning, then let him go if he doesn't start eating and drinking on his own. I don't sense that he's ready to go-- he just needs help that we do not seem to be able to give him. 
Spencer's ailment is truly unique, I would wonder about anesthethitizing him to get that mouth open and have a good look all around. Not being able to eat and drink is not a long term viable condition, I am afraid. Poor little guy, poor YOU, sometimes there just isn't a good solution. Hugs and hoping you find a good neurologist for him soon.
Maybe try a holistic vet also. My friends dog had some sort of neurological problem and they took him down to a holistic vet and that vet ended up saving his life. The vet here had just about given up on him too, said he wouldn't make it and they should put him to sleep. He has now been good for two years with no signs of the pre-existing problem. I am really hoping that you can find a solution and not have to let him go, especially if you don't think he is ready. I hope all is well soon.
I will say my holistic vet has been a key element in my old boyz health/happiness.
Also, looks like there are many hits if you put in "tongue paralysis in dogs" I don't know if any of them fit your situation, but I did notice one was linked to tick borne diseases.
Thank you so much for your responses. It is baffling and heartbreaking. He can only open his mouth slightly. He stands at his bowl and tries to smack his mouth at the water, then he keeps circling around and trying it again and again. He is desperate for water and starving, despite what we are able to get down him through the syringe and with the IVs. It isn't enough. He has lost 20% of his body weight in the last four days. He is exhausted and starting to give up. I can feel it. My vet has written him off. It is Saturday now, and I am unlikely to find a neurologist or holistic vet that will see him today. I'm pretty sure he won't make it until Monday without drastic improvement. It's just breaking my heart that I can't help him.
I have been researching online for hours. I did find something called Masticatory Muscle Myositis. I'm going to speak to the vet about it this morning when I take him in for the IV. We discussed Lyme disease and tick-releated illnesses the first day, and I believe some test ruled that out. I'll have to ask again. I will probably take him to the animal hospital today for another opinion, since my vet seems to have already decided that he is 14 and it's his time. If he were in kidney failure, I would agree, but the poor dog is desperate to eat and drink. He just can't physically do it.
Thanks for all the support. It's so much more than I'm getting from my vet.
Yes I would take him to a different vet…quickly. If your vet doesn't want to help him anymore I would find someone with some compassion to look at him. Just because he is sick your vet should not write him off that is ignorant. Do you have a special care clinic somewhere around you? Those places are usually very good as well.
This is heartbreaking. Can you get a large syringe, 20 or 30 ml? If so, also get some rubber or plastic tubing that will fit on the end of the syringe, cut about 4-6 inches long and fill syringe with ensure or some other nutrient rich liquid. Put the tip of the tubing as far back inside his cheek as you can back beside the molars, and slowly inject the Ensure. If he can swallow without choking he will get some nutrition. (I'm s nurse and we used to do this for baby's with oral surgery, in the recovery room) It may take a long time to get a can at a time of ensure down him, and it will be a lot of sugar (check for a diabetic-type supplement) but this is all I can think of to get something besides plain fluids into him, might keep him going till Monday if you think better vet care might be found then. My heart breaks for you and Spencer.
Can they do subQ fluids? That would last for a little while and you might be able to do that at home.
I have always done subQ myself. Pretty easy to do….
Thank you for all the advice and support. Spencer is in surgery right now, and he is very weak and fragile, so we're just waiting and hoping. The vet found painful lesions on the back of his tongue and they now suspect that he has something embedded in his throat or perhaps a mass that was not caught on the films. It almost sounds like strep throat, except the antibiotics should have been helping. Of course, this should have been caught the first day… or the second... or the third... when I kept insisting the problem was in his mouth or throat and everyone at the vet's office insisted that they had thoroughly checked that and it was fine. If you have any positive thoughts you could send our way, we would appreciate them. Give your Bs an extra big hug today!
Positive thoughts and heartfelt prayers going out for you and Spencer! Hugs to you both!
Terry
Hang in there Spencer, and Spencer's family! We're all hoping he makes it and will be around a few more years.
You are both totally in our thoughts. I having been reading this whole thread so carefully, and I just get a gut feeling that it is not his time. Especially since he is attempting to eat and drink. Basenjis eat (try to eat) the wierdest things. I remember Therese (Kipawa's breeder) telling me this. I believe she mentioned it to me because as Kipawa was our first basenji, she did not want me to freak out every time he 'sampled' something from the backyard, street, etc.
I am so glad that Spencer is in with the doctors now. I'm wishing for the very best news. Please keep us all posted.
Warm wishes headed your way Spencer! Get better soon little buddy.
I am glad your vet was able to find the problem and hopefully he will get better soon!
Jennifer
Good thoughts and hugs coming your way… while maybe it should have been caught earlier, at least you know now... Vets are not perfect as we all know and sometimes they really don't listen to what the owners are telling them...... Kudos and hugs for keeping at it and prayers for the best out come!
Thinking of you both, good thoughts and love coming your way. Hope Spencer will get better soon.
Lots of love and hugs
Anne-Marie
with Joey in my heart
Fingers and paws crossed for a good outcome. Vets should listen to US, we know our dogs! Waiting and hoping for good news.
Best wish for Spencer, Im sorry it took so long to find. I hope he comes through the surgery with flying colors. I have had to pull the strangest things out of Chumley's mouth and I've only had him a month. Let us know how it goes, please.
