Thanks for posting this update @Derek-Groves , our Chance is 16 and he has had seizures most of his life. It just started out of nowhere when he was a few years old and for a number of years, we tried all kinds of natural and non-natural medications. We tried Chinese herbs, CBD, diet changes then the typical meds like phenobarbitol, all somewhat helped, but he would still have recurring seizures several times a month, or sometimes a week. All in all, he probably had 100 seizures in his lifetime, but luckily no major damage other than he is a bit wobbly and has head tremors once in a while. It does not seem to bother him though and he is otherwise healthy and active for a 16 yr old. Once I found Keppra through trial and error we stuck with it and that seemed to have been the best way to curb the seizures. We went from monthly to maybe once in a few years, during major events like a house move. Today he is on 250mg of Keppra + Zonisomide every 12 hours and that does the trick, if he does have a sezure (we also have concentrated CBD tincture, which we keep bedside, injecting it into his mouth gets him out of it pretty quickly and speeds up recover. We ended up sticking a particular manufacturer for Keppra (Lupin labs), just to make sure no formula variation is introduced.
Are seizures common?
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We are waiting for the arrival of our first Basenji. I have noticed a lot of posts about seizures. Is this common in this breed? My last dog had them and I know there are no guarantees, but if Basenjis are more prone to them, I would be concerned about that.
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Basenji are no more prone to seizures then any other breed of dog.... And with Basenjis I have found it is in elder age that it could become a problem. But again that is no different than many other breeds. Have you talked to your breeder about this? Your breeder should be able to tell you if they have seen this issue in their bloodlines that they are breeding
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Yes, I have talked to her and she has no issues with seizures in her line. I’m a research fanatic though and it seems that seizures come up constantly. Thank you for your response
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My beloved Dannii (basenji) started having seizures when he turned 8 and had gotten his vaccines. The clinic gave him his regular vaccine, plus they gave him a Rabies vaccine at the same time. Twelve hours later, he had a full blown seizure. He never had any problems before then. As Pat had stated, its no more prone to basenji's as to other breed of dog. However, I would hold off and do the vaccines every 3 years, instead of every year, especially when the dog gets up to around 7 or 8 years of age. Never, ever give ALL the vaccines at the same time (DHPP and Rabies). Always do the Rabies vaccine a month later. Congratulations on your new pup! Also keep in mind "a tired basenji is a good basenji" (they don't get into trouble by chew up stuff that they shouldn't. But no guarrantee's on that!!
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@hoffa I would say no more common than any other breed. It is mentioned here more often because people often come here for help with questions about illnesses. I suspect many more people come here because they are searching for help with a sick dog, than just general chat.
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I have never had a seizure, even though i have been in Basenjis for over fourty years. we do not have rabies here, so we do not have to the rabies injection, which may help. Do what basenjimom2 suggests which might help.
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@hoffa said in Are seizures common?:
I’m a research fanatic though and it seems that seizures come up constantly.
But don't you often find that the bad news comes to the fore and the good news just gets accepted and remains in the background ? People talk (email, post) about problems they have with their Basenjis or other dogs. No-one brags 'my dog had another year go by without a seizure !'*
On the other hand, if their beloved dog DOES have a seizure, they seek advice.
You have excellent advice already from this forum. Talk to your breeder ! (About seizures and about any / all of your concerns). She will be well aware of ANYTHING in her line and as a responsible person will open up to you..
I go along with Redial, I've bred Basenjis for almost 40 years in a rabies free country where vaccination is not required. My husband started in Basenjis in 1956, albeit in USA, until the mid 1970s when he came to England. No seizures in my experience or his.
There is a wonderful book - Who Killed The Darling Buds Of May - by Catherine O'Driscoll. ISBN 0 9523048 1 3 - subtitled 'What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines'. A very well known, experienced breeder in USA sent it to me many years ago and I still have it by me and dip into it frequently. I recommend it heartily, even for the faint-hearted !
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@zande Interesting, I have downloaded it and will read it when I get a chance.
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I've had 3 basenjis, only one had seizures, started about age 15 and not frequently - had increased to approx monthly by the time she was PTS (unrelated to seizures).
I now have some kind of crossbreed terrier, we think she's about 17, and she's had seizures on 3 occasions in the last 6 months. -
@zande said in Are seizures common?:
What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines'.
She's a one trick pony who, when questioned about research, science, proof, says "oh I have 2 best selling books".
Many people by the late 1980s were already raising alarms about overvaccination. Here is the facts as of now. Tiny breeds make up most of the vaccine-related problem. That we give a chihuahua the same shot as a great dane is insane. I think Jean Dodds is a lot off, but you can even see with her how small of an issue the vaccines are in overall seizure problems.
https://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/132332401041/seizures-epilepsy-dog#.XBjju1wzZPY
What makes me furious is that reporting isn't required. So if your dog has a problem, report it yourself. Until they get clear data, we don't know.
https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/vaccine_adverse_reactions.aspx
Finally, know your dog and your breed. There are differences in vaccine response.
:::Nov 1, 2009 - Young adult dogs (1-3 years) and small-breed dogs were at higher risk. The top 5 breeds for reactions were Dachshund, Pug, Boston Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, and Chihuahua. Boxers were the only large breed with more reactions than average. Breed variations in response to rabies vaccination were recently reported.::
http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/adverse-vaccination-events-separating-fact-fiction-proceedings
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I truly think you would be safe IF you vaccinate every 3 years. How old is the pup that you are getting? Has the pup had its vaccines, including rabies? If so, find out the date and go 3 years from that date. Granted rabies needs to be done every 3 years regardless, but not the others. You can always do a titer test.........its a different type of blood test that checks for the antibodies. Some breeds will still have a fairly good titer level. If that is the case; NO vaccines. This is just MY opinion, and my opinion only. I do know that vaccines can hurt the dogs immune system if they are over done, and vets will push for you to vaccinate every year. Its YOUR dog, and if your vet insists on vaccinating every year, FIND ANOTHER VET.
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After the initial set of shots I got to Titers with the exception of rabies... that is done every 3 yrs as required by law. That said I never "give whopper" shots... everything is split up by a number of weeks
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The puppy I’m getting will have his shots done at the vet. He’ll be around 12 weeks. He won’t have rabies. My last dog got all his puppy shots and boosters. After the age of 3 I learned about titers and did them instead. He always came back with enough antibodies until he died at 12 years old.
Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it.
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Our Tiki has had seizures since 3 years of age sadly. Since he started our vet has not pushed a single vaccine on him. He is now 5 and still has one about every 7-15 days. He gets his bloodwork done, all is fine and he's healthy. Our vet just keeps slowly increasing his meds to see if it makes a difference. I tried CBD oil even... but didn't help so I stopped...
I agree, those with certain challenges are more likely to post in the hopes of looking for advice or insight!
Besides this issue, he's a happy, sweet, loving boy! Couldn't imagine life without him.
