Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Getting sick

Getting sick

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Z

    My Basenji has been getting sick after he drinks water. Just started a couple of weeks ago. He is now a year old. I will be taking him in for his update shots in less than a month and will ask the vet. He seems to act fine afterwards and is very hyper. I just know this is not normal. Sometimes it is just water and if he has just ate it is also his food that comes up. I have been keeping just enough water in his bowl for a couple of drinks at a time and seem to help a little.

    0
  • Tayda_LennyT

    Has he been keeping any food or water down? I would be concerned about some kind of intestinal blockage… Lenny got into some stuff he shouldn't have but it took a few months before it resulted in an actual blockage. Apparently it was just sitting in his stomach for a while and then when it started to make its way into his small intestine, THATS when he started throwing up.

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

    0
  • tanzaT

    @Tayda_Lenny:

    Has he been keeping any food or water down? I would be concerned about some kind of intestinal blockage… Lenny got into some stuff he shouldn't have but it took a few months before it resulted in an actual blockage. Apparently it was just sitting in his stomach for a while and then when it started to make its way into his small intestine, THATS when he started throwing up.

    And that is what happened with Kristii years ago also….

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • Z

    Yes….he does keep food down...he will just eat again. It is only when he sits and drinks quite a bit of water...? when I see him drinking, I make him stop after a few licks and he seems to do okay. For some reason he will sit and drink the whole bowl?

    0
  • dashD

    @Zandersmom:

    Yes….he does keep food down...he will just eat again. It is only when he sits and drinks quite a bit of water...? when I see him drinking, I make him stop after a few licks and he seems to do okay. For some reason he will sit and drink the whole bowl?

    You could try ice cubes in lieu of the bowl of water. That will slow him down. We put food in the water so they don't eat so fast as well. That may help too.

    Jennifer

    0
  • S

    I know some breeds have raised water/food bowls so the dogs are "level" when they eat.
    Don't know if this will help here, but its worth a try.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    P
    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
  • krunzerK

    Flame is sick :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    9k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    I am so sorry, Tollers are such delightful little dogs. I've had the good fortune to meet several and always liked them. You and yours are in my thoughts/prayers.
  • K

    How do I get my basenji to eat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    @kipper: Thank you to everyone for the great advice! Kipper is our second Basenji and the thought of loosing him at such a young age is horrific to us. Kip is currently taking metronidazole twice a day. I know the med does make him tired, but it's supposed to help get rid of his virus that in turn will bring back his appetite. I have tried all his favorites like cheese, sour cream and even homemade waffles. His diet is meat twice a day and free feeding of high quality kibble. The vet is very knowledgeable about Falconi and says all his levels are were they should be and the bicarb is all he needs. We will take Kip in again in 3 months for another blood test. Thanks again! Anna I don't want to doubt your Vet, But honestly, I find that hard to believe that he only needs Bicarb and not any of the Vitamins that are recommended in the protocol. If it were my dog, I would contact Dr. Gonto who developed the Protocol and run it by him and he is happy to talk to owners with Fanconi (it is Fanconi, not Falconi) about treatment along with conversations with your Vet. Also Thyroid testing is important for a dog with Fanconi. This would be the fill panel not just the one T4 level that are shown on regular blood work. Dr Gonto's contact info can be found at the bottom of the Fanconi Protocol information http://www.basenji.org/ClubDocs/fanconiprotocol2003.pdf Also you might want to consider joining the Fanconi Yahoo group for people with Fanconi affected dogs. They would also be able to give you good ideas since they are all dealing with dogs with Fanconi. It is a closed group for only people with affected dogs. If he was eating before the metronidazole then hopefully when he is done with that he will begin eating again.
  • AndrewA

    Question about getting results

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    As long as his CPP registration got entered before they received the blood sample, you'll hear eventually. If there was a delay in the registration, the blood results won't be posted and you'll have to call Liz.
  • abby_basenjiA

    Should I get Abby spayed?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @abby_basenji: Well after we discussed it further, even though she has tested clear I really don't know that much about her parents and the amount of inbreeding that was done. Do I really want to breed her? Probably not. Besides that I figured if I really want another B there are plenty of people on here that are reputable breeders that I can get a puppy from to breed if I want, or just get a puppy from. I was thinking though if I want to breed I would get one from a breeder here if I want another B just to have another B, I will get one from BRAT! Anyway her appointment is not until the 27th of october that was the soonest our vet can get her in, so that is when we are going. Good for you…. there are many responsible breeders if you decide to go that way... and certainly many in rescue that need loving homes.... your are doing the right thing.... Kudos to you!!!
  • luzmery928L

    I think our B is sick

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    10k Views
    luzmery928L
    he's allergic to corn, peas, chicken, soy, the list continues so it's hard.