Skip to content

Basenji pup not gaining weight

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • We currently have an 8 month old B, about 15 in. She came to us at @ 12 weeks with broken puppy teeth.
    She does't take treats. She is a picky eater and will turn down people food. She eats about half a cup 2x per day. She
    weighs @ 15 lbs. She has lost @ a half pound in the last couple weeks. I have seen her pick up rocks/pull grass.
    We have free fed and tried regular feeding Times and spoon feed when hip bone/ spine begin to show.
    The vet had us change the food to the highest protein/fat Puppy food we could find (core grain free puppy formula).
    He recommended yogurt "to Settle her stomach". She is negative for Fanconi. We tried cooking, making Gravy,
    canned & dry foods.

    She doesn't behave like the other basenji we had or others I have seen. She is fearful, quiet, she has
    bursts of energy but sleeps often. She laid on the floor in front of the sofa when we got her because
    She didn't have the strength to jump up on her own. She just isn't thriving. She is good with other dogs + people.

    Does anyone have any ideas on what we could do next?

  • Did you get her from a breeder and if so have you contacted them?

    My first line of defense for a dog that doesn't want to eat is cyproheptadine. It can be miraculous. But frankly, I think your first step is to get her to a university vet immediately for further evaluation. Did they do xrays to make darn sure she doesn't have rocks inside her? That is a really dangerous behavior and you may need to use a basket muzzle on her outside if you cannot remove all rocks from the area.

    How are her stools?

    Things that come to mind include Immuno-Proliferative Small Intestinal Disease (IPSID). You can read about it at the BCOA site:
    http://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Dcategory%26layout%3Dblog%26id%3D155%26Itemid%3D292#IPSID

  • Who did this pup come from? As Debra asked, have they been contacted?

  • If this dog is eating half a cup 2 x per day and is still losing too much weight….that sounds parasitic in nature (though it could be any number of things). 1.) Vet would be your wisest course of action.....................examining the fecal matter for worms might be an option? Not a sure bet by any means though.

  • Timesthemyth… duh, don't know why I didn't think immediately also of parasites, which could be. I just assumed they checked but they might not have or checked early before developing. Certainly worth a check and maybe even prophylactic round.

  • How is this pup doing currently? Any updates?

Suggested Topics

  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I agree with Buddys Pal… if they didn't do either urinalysis or xray, I'd get them done. If you have a sick dog and the vet just sort of says "oh well, blood work looks okay".. may be time for a new vet. Something is obviously wrong.
  • My basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @snorky998: Were you thinking of Vestibular syndrome, Dan? http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=8577&highlight=vestibular+syndrome That's it Snorky!! :D
  • Appropriate Weight

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    17 is normal for a male… From the Basenji standard: Size, Proportion, Substance Ideal height for dogs is 17 inches and bitches 16 inches. Dogs 17 inches and bitches 16 inches from front of chest to point of buttocks. Approximate weight for dogs, 24 pounds and bitches, 22 pounds. Lightly built within this height to weight ratio
  • Homeopathy for Basenjis?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    Yes–I forgot that there are actually homeopathic vets available. We are so lucky here in the Bay Area--we have great vets, specialists and also UC Davis veterinary school/drs not too far away--and believe me--I have used all of these resources over the past 18 years.....
  • 0 Votes
    30 Posts
    12k Views
    AndrewMaddenA
    Gipper's last weigh in, which was a few months ago, was at a rock-solid 32 pounds! He's not fat, though. He still has a well defined waist, as well as ribs that can be felt when he's standing still, and gets plenty of exercise. I'll try to get some recent pics up soon- he looks as if he's a body-building Basenji! He's really muscular, and I think he's closer to 18-20 ins. at the shoulder, rather than the typical 15-17. He's a big boy, for sure.
  • Jumoke Basenjis

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    7k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    Oh well… at least it brought Jumoke to the foreground again! :-)