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Anyone dealing with skin lesions? Cancer? Thyroid Issues?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • My 8yr old male had what looked like a bite on his neck. I shaved him a little so I could look at it to make sure it wasn’t a tick (fairly sure it isn’t). Upon closer inspection if had a black surface, circular in shape and had actually formed a lump under the skin as well. It was not tender to touch at least.
    Cleaned him up a little and kept an eye on it for about a week now.
    Never bothers him. It’s just there. The lump under the skin is gone but the black marking is still there. It does not look like a scab either- no edges to it, no tenderness.

    Might or might not be related but his coat has been quite poor for the past few months as well. He’s on a fish based diet and gets fish oil supplements to try and combat the dryness/lackluster.
    Usually his is a soft deer-fur like coat, especially in the winter :)
    We thought initially it was stress related from loosing his littermate to Fanconi, and dry winter air.
    But it’s not gotten any better.

    Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome- we are trying to avoid a vet visit with the COVID crap but my gut feeling is that this is either thyroid related or possible melanoma....

    He also has been more irritable and his ears have been bothering him too- I do clean them. So does his benji-sister... he’s never had a report of bad health all around. So yeah, I’m starting to get a little nervous.

    I’ll see if I can get an image up here for reference.... thanks in advance :)

  • Best to have it seen by a Vet professional... I would not avoid a Vet visit as this site are not Vets...

  • @tanza
    Thank you!! I’ll post back with results-

  • Vet - instantly !

    Good luck and let us know -

4/4

17 May 2020, 13:17

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    Thank you so much for your suggestions, the first test was at a 5.7 and I am awaiting the results of a second test. The initial blood test also revealed Diabetes Insipidus but I feel there is more to it than that and I see many of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism which i've read is usually results from medication for hypo and I had not given any such meds so it's a mystery how it was contracted. And we did lose her half brother in January which would explain added stress. Don
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    @Abaihya think you need a new Vet, no way should the Thyroid blood test be that price.... They draw the blood and it is sent out....
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    Hi All, Thought i'd give you a little update! My lil lady had her food changed from Eukanuba medium pup to Royal Canin Mini (she's a very small basenji and doubt she'll get bigger than 10k when fully grown so thought this one best) I also bought her a Pet Head shampoo 'Royal Treatment' with oatmeal and aloe. She loves her new food and never leaves a crumb now, has a bath once every two weeks (instead of every week) and has a treat of sardines or yogurt every couple of days. Her skin is much better, little flaking and her coat looks much better now. Thank you guys for all the advice!
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    I was only recommending a shampoo to use in the future, not one that would clear up any skin problems. If the dog has allergies, she needs to be careful about what kind of general shampoo to use. Jennifer
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    Right, but "not uncommon" is kind of evasive wording, if that's the official stance on the problem. Kind of like "It has been known to occur…" But Shiba breeders, by and large, aren't registering thyroid information with OFA, unless there's some mistake with the chart of statistics sorted by breed. MSU does have numbers which suggest that it's not common with Shibas, which I think makes it a low priority for Shiba breeders. But just from what I'm gathering anecdotally, it's definitely something worth looking into, especially for shibas with allergies, which a LOT of them are plagued with. I'm not a member of any breed clubs, so I can't say with authority if the stance on thyroids is changing. I think it's generally of low concern, at the moment, compared to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eyes -- which good breeders ARE testing for.