Skip to content

Hello everyone. Need some support.

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Hello. Although I do not have a Basenji dog my Westie, Riley, was just diagnosed with Fanconi. She goes tomorrow for the blood gas test. Needless to say I am heart broken. It came on so suddenly. She just stopped eating and drinking alot of water. I thought maybe she had a blockage of some sorts. The only thing I can get her to eat is chicken breast if I hand feed her. It's been about 2 weeks since she's really eaten and she's losing alot of weight. Tomorrow she goes back to the vet and hopefully they can do something to get her to eat. It's breaking my heart to see her like this.

  • @dema:

    Hello. Although I do not have a Basenji dog my Westie, Riley, was just diagnosed with Fanconi. She goes tomorrow for the blood gas test. Needless to say I am heart broken. It came on so suddenly. She just stopped eating and drinking alot of water. I thought maybe she had a blockage of some sorts. The only thing I can get her to eat is chicken breast if I hand feed her. It's been about 2 weeks since she's really eaten and she's losing alot of weight. Tomorrow she goes back to the vet and hopefully they can do something to get her to eat. It's breaking my heart to see her like this.

    Have you been to the Basenji Club of America website for the Fanconi Protocol? Did you have blood gases done to confirm Fanconi? And I would suggest that you have your Vet call and talk to Dr. Gonto, who developed the Fanconi Protocol if he/she has not done so already….

    So very sorry to hear about your Riley and hope that if you can get her on the protocol that she can be helped...

  • dema -
    I'm going to send a private email with the name of an internet group that is a wonderful support to those of us with Fanconi dogs. I know how scary and overwhelming this all is, especially at first.

    Hugs to you,
    Lorraine

  • Hi again dema,

    Here's a link to the Basenji Club of America site. There's a link to the Protocol on there:
    http://www.basenjiclub.com/?q=node/36
    Also, UTI's crop up frequently with Fanconi dogs - one of the main ways you can tell is by lack of appetite and/or vomiting. Try to take a urine sample to your vet to have it checked for signs of that. A round of antibiotics may help - I've heard Baytril and Clavamox work best.
    Do take a copy of the Fanconi Protocol with you to your vet's office as well.

    More hugs,
    Lorraine

  • Dema, so sorry to hear. I didn't realize other breeds got Fanconi. The one vet I spoke to had never even heard of it. I think you came to the right place. Hugs from our family…

  • So sorry to hear about your Westie. Here's hoping she lives a long and happy life on Dr. Gonto's fanconi protocol.

  • Sending lots of prayers to you & your Westie. Please stay positive.

  • @dash:

    Dema, so sorry to hear. I didn't realize other breeds got Fanconi. The one vet I spoke to had never even heard of it. I think you came to the right place. Hugs from our family…

    And that is a problem… Vets that have never heard of it, or the protocol... and yes, many breeds get Fanconi... according to Dr. Gonto

  • Lots of ((hugs)) to Riley, you and your family…please keep us posted.

9/9

13 Aug 2007, 20:43

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    My old girl Ella had a shattered rear leg from being hit by a car. My options were amputation or surgery. I opted for surgery. She did have a plate inserted but that was because she had bone pieces removed and the plate was there to connect what was left of her leg bones. We had casts, lots of casts. The vet told me to keep her quiet, not let her roam around, absolutely no stairs, and to wear an e-collar if not well supervised. Ella did not listen to the vet. I blocked the stairs with a baby gate but she managed to jump it while wearing the cast which went all the way up her leg. She perforated her e-collars to where I could use them as colanders. I also had to find a high calorie food (not high protein but high calorie) because the veterinary surgeon said she would need twice the caloric intake in order to heal quickly. I ended up hand feeding her a mix of kibble and canned food. She healed fast and well. Ella ended up with a slightly shorter rear leg but she could still run like the wind. She lived 11 more years and died at age 14.5. I have seen photos of the halo type device on one of the Facebook groups, "Basenji". You may have to join the group but here is the link to the post https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1904813413071092&set=gm.1407068002664730&type=3&hc_location=ufi I am sure you can contact the owner of this dog, Maria Eriksson‎, but please remember that English is not her native language as the "Basenji" group is international.
  • 0 Votes
    59 Posts
    43k Views
    Michelle, I am so very sorry. :( I know it is hard, but try to not focus on their screw up. They didn't hurt HER, they stressed you. Focus on how much loved that dear dog was and that you gave her a fantastic last day. I wish caring could ease your hurt, but it doesn't– but know you are, in fact, cared for. Thank you for sharing her with us. ((hugs))
  • 0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    Patty, I can't see why not. It shouldn't be given every day, but now and then. And it should NOT be replaced with their regular food. Eggs have lots of good protein, and it's also a good source for riboflavin, B12 and phosphorus, and even selenium. I've seen only a few dog food brands with riboflavin in it, and I believe it's an important deal for dogs, as well for us humans.
  • 0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    Thanks everyone for your help concerning Seren's torn dew claw. We've just returned from the vet. It wasn't her toe just the nail. Her nail was trimed (pretty deep) and bandaged.She looks so pathetic holding her foot up with the bandage. Hopefully the bandage will stay on at least until tomorrow. A little bit of 'bitter apple' may help. The vet assures me she will be fine. The Basenji Forums folks are the best!
  • 0 Votes
    2 Posts
    1k Views
    A friend of mine tried to join it but found it inactive. Try the Yahoo Fanconi group list, it is very active!
  • 0 Votes
    12 Posts
    8k Views
    @wizard: While cruising the new posts I came across this one and can't really offer any help (even if I am a biologist). However, I just had to say it made my head spin and my eyes cross :D (I remember now, that's why I had a hard time in genetics class!). haha ya i was like that at first. then i got into it a little more. maybe this other forum can help you, it helped me alot! :) we are actually still going at it! http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=8751&goto=newpost