Our ophthalmologist, Dr. Wolf, relayed to us that he was at a conference and there was a big discussion about 4 breeds of dogs who were very slow to heal. I can't remember the others, but one of the 4 was the basenji. Nicky had a deep pitted abrasion/injury that took about 4 months to heal, required 2 debridements, but eventually healed perfectly. A year later she had another smaller abrasion, that is when he told us about the discussion at the conference. No one knew why those particular breeds eyes healed slowly, all agreed that quality of the final healing was not impacted, just the time it took to get there!
I found that very interesting, another unique quality of our breed.
That's probably why it takes so long for the fur to heal back when they get scratched an the scab comes off, I always notice on Oakley for at least a month or two, never happened with my other dogs ( although they had hair not fur)
So the last few days since the doctors I've been contemplating whether I should be switching Oakley to a low fat diet. In the research I've been doing it seems that many say that you should lower the fat/cholesterol but when I asked the opthamoligists at the appointment if I should consider changing foods (currently feed Fromms) he said it wasn't necessary. Id like to get opinions from those who know about corneal dystrophy or those who have dogs with it. Currently Oakley gets a cup and a half total a day in 2 feedings but the last two month I've been going him a bully stick a day as well from best bullysticks.com
Thanks
Personally, I would just watch it and avoid higher cholesterol treats like beef liver. That was the recommendation of the specialist I went to, and she has a lot of experience with basenjis (not that it is a basenji thing, necessarily). I really didn't change the food too much and it didn't seem to get worse over the several years that Nemo had it. He had the deposits on both eyes right in the center of the cornea. It never seemed to be an issue for him.
Anyone else have any advice on switching Oakleys food to a lower fat?? Still really thinking about it…he gets a mix of Fromms with a current protein %33 and fat content of 21%.... It's listed as a 5star food but also as having higher than average protein and fat content...that coupled with his one bully stick a day (my only moment of peace!) and treats..I feel like I may be tipping the scales with the fat....I could but down the bully sticks to one every other day and maybe look for low fat treats ( currently gets Fromms cookies,Dry cCloud Star sweet potato buddy biscuits and cloud star soft and chewy cookies...I vary his treats for different activities)
Thanks nemo...I'll keep that in mind during my research!
Which Fromm's are you feeding? Usually Lamb, Bison, and Fish have a lower fat content than other protein sources.
Jennifer
He has had all of them…currently he gets a mix of the "beef a la veg", "salmon tunalini" and chicken...last time he had the surf and turf, beef and I think pork?? I try to go grain reduced...I wanted grain free but his stools are so much better with a little grain so that's why I mix the grain free Fromms with grain reduced Fromms...
I have had so many people not guess the age of my 11y/o and 9y/o mix breeds that have been on Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul for the past 3 years. Their teeth actually got whiter with it, and no gastro problems. I just don't have a bad thing to say about it. Uzie was on Kibbles and Bits when I adopted him and the transition to Chix Soup was non-incidental-his coat got glossy and he 'works for food' all the time….. The cost is comparable to any other quality kibble and no quar gum etc.....the company is ranked in the top 20 per Whole Dog Journal too. You may have to google the company and find a local distributor. (they interview the companies, where and how the ingredients are acquired and how long the bag stays in the shipping room etc...)
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul has a recall on right now:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-expanded/
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul has a recall on right now:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-expanded/
Thanks for the info renaultf1! I like how we all look out for one another! But I was aware of it, and luckily, I feed the senior and to Uzie the adult maintenance!! whew!!!
Update: since Oakley was diagnosed with corneal dystrophy in his left eye back in march he has been lucky enough to not yet develop it in his right eye. I look at them everyday. What's been concerning is that he has had three daily incidents of corneal erosion due to the dystrophy. At first I didn't know what was causing the episodes, he'd just wake up with a swollen squinty eye. At first I thought it was allergies or an allergic reaction so I gave a Benedryl and a warm compress. The second time, same symptoms but I treated with saline drops and a warm compress. Well, just this past week he again awoke with a "stye eye" as I call it; so having had about enough of wondering I pulled out his paperwork from the Opthamologist and there it stated that corneal dystrophy can cause crystal erosions from the eye periodically drying out which causes irritation and discomfort. I called the Opthamologist who recommends I treat Oakley with lacri lube everyday for life to prevent the erosions, which if they kept happening could do damage to his sight. All in all, I'm glad to know what those events were, and to have a treatment plan ( albeit, not easy!)…and I hope that his corneal dystrophy doesn't cause him or I anymore issues on the future but I wanted to post about it in case anyone in the future needs to find info on it.
Thank you for this update.
Sounds like you are doing an excellent job.
What are you now using for the daily lubricant?
I have a MinPin that has been on a daily regiment (twice a day) of Tacrolimus for ~8 years and will be for the remainder of her life. I swear by the stuff.
For daily lubricant he is using brand name Lacri Lube..it's either systene or refresh…I can't remember. It's a new process so I'm still tying to work the kinks out to get it to go smooth...currently I'm bribing him with candy ( his favorite). The double whammy will come on the nights I have to dremel his nails AND put the gel in his eyes (drops would be so much easier!!)
Oh well, he's my baby so if he needs it, he get it....and even when he doesn't need stuff, he STILL gets it!
Thank you for the update on Oakley. Even if he has to have treatment permanently it matters not if it helps him. Your concern for others who may have corneal dystrophy is very kind and typical of the posters on this forum.
Your right Patty, if daily lubricant is the answer to reducing symptoms then it's totally worth it. And I also try to lower fats to help prevent it from his other eye. While many people hear of PRA or PPM when talking about basenji's I really didn't know anything about corneal dystrophy or even te difference between corneal degeneration vs. corneal dystrophy. I hope that anyone that had a basenji and is questioning something they saw in their dogs eyes that it could be what Oakley has. So I hope I've included everything from initial physical characteristics to doctors to treatment, prognosis and treatments. I'd be happy to talk to anyone wondering about more. It's important to remember that whole corneal dystrophy is a good prognosis that if symptoms of erosion pop up and are left untreated that it can affect vision long term. Hope this helps someone
For the breeders out there: is it possible for corneal dystrophy to disappear??? Oakleys had that hazy spot in his eye since a pup, he was diagnosed by an opthamoligist and since his "outbreak" I've changed his diet and he gets daily lubricant drops…but the past two months that spot is gone...I don't know how to explain it, Id know that spot on his eye with my eyes closed and it's not there... Any explanations??
When I took my dog to the eye doctor, she said they could improve with diet over time. No guarantee though. The spots improved on my dogs eyes over time but did not completely go away.
That's so interesting…I cut out the bully sticks (much to his dismay)...but I am totally shocked that there is no presence of any cloud spot in his eye...I wonder if its a "cure" or if the affected area is still considered "affected"...I'm not complaining, just so stunned to look at his face and not see anything at all
As far as I know, it can be better, but not cured…..
That's what I figured..I might call his opthamoligist…and ask perhaps that if the same spot can/will reoccur...it's truly puzzling to me, I let waiting to post thinking "tomorrow" it will return or "maybe in a different light"...but it's completely gone
