Skip to content

Okay, who has the smallest Basenji? :)

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I read the thread about larger Basenjis….
    Now let's hear it for the petite pups in the bunch!!

    My BRAT girl Tana is tiny (one of her nicknames is Tiny Tana)....She fluctuates between 14-15 pounds and she's a good 4-5 inches shorter than Jibini (who basically fits the standard).

    Here's a picture that illustrates the size difference.

    She's got such a fine framed build plus she's one of those who simply WON'T keep weight on her, either. She eats almost double the amount of food that Jibini eats (Taste of the Wild). Any less than that and she starts looking anorexic. For such a little dog, she's quick and she's tough! We joke that she's made of springs and rubber- and she bosses Jibini around with no problem when she needs to :)

  • Have you had her thyrod tested?
    It might help her put weight on.
    Also there are food extras you can feed…like satin balls...someone on the list has this posted.
    Cute girl... but tiny...any idea where she came from?

  • We'll be getting her thyroid checked in the very near future; especially since I've read about a lot of these puppymill B's developing thyroid problems early (she's 3). She isn't displaying any other symptoms but it's worth a check.

    I've thought about trying the satin balls; never did because we were on the road all the time. Now that we're home I might give it a try.

    She came from a mill closeout in Missouri. Sadly, she's 5 generations of nothing but mill. I don't know how to get a direct link, but search the pedigree database for "WL's Tonya Ann"- that's her. According to the database she has a littermate that tested clear for Fanconi…fingers crossed that she is, too.

    Supposedly she had a litter (on her first heat :mad: ) but the poor pups must be out there adrift somewhere because they're not on the database with her. Despite everything she's been through, she has blossomed well and really is an absolute love :D

  • Yep, get that thyroid checked right away. Go to this link.
    http://www.apubasenjis.com/bhealth.html

  • Make sure they do the full panel too. Don't let them tell you otherwise!

  • Full panel on Eddie at U of Michigan including shipping was a bit over $100. They sent results with 'no recommendation for treatment" but I e-mailed Dr. Dodds of Hempopet and she went over all the abnormals and recommended treatment, my vet agreed. Pretty soon Eddie was chasing squirrels at the park again and running around and lost 3 lbs.

    So even with a full panel, if there are any abnormals at all, and they don't recommend treatment, get a second opinion from an expert.

  • Despite her potential problems I bet she is absolutely a sweetie.
    And kudos to you for the resuce.

Suggested Topics

  • IBS in basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    3 Votes
    15 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    @jengosmonkey That is a very interesting link. My girl suffered none of the possible side effects. No lethargy, listlessness, weight gain and her shape remained immaculate till the day she died. But she no longer suffered from IBS.
  • 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.
  • Basenji dental

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    37
    0 Votes
    37 Posts
    14k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @tanza: LOL …. so hmm... great weather = higher Vet costs... makes perfect sense to me!!! LOL great weather equals more want to live there. More want to live there, drives real estate costs up. Increased real estate costs drives other expenses up. LOL, it does make some sense. But then, wth is up with NYC which has icky weather? Oh wait, massive overcrowding, never mind.
  • Basenji in Alaska

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    8k Views
    wizardW
    I saw that you have a sewing machine – its not hard to make your own coat. I made one for my previous beasties with fleece and wool. I made it with a high colar (for the backside of the neck) and an indentation for the tail and a big belly and chest band (I used snaps at first but then switched to velcro). It worked pretty good for our single digit temps (and the occasional below zero walks to the corner). My current beastie refuses to go out the door with a coat on, however. When the outside temps are below 10F she won't stay outside any longer than necessary to go potty - the squirrels can run around all they want then! With respect to booties, mine will at least tolerate them when we go for walks but it's more for the road salt. However, the good pair I bought this year leak somehow (maybe through the stitching?) and she doesn't like them with they get wet inside. Nevertheless be sure you get the best you can find.
  • Do Basenjis shed?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    14k Views
    MantisM
    shedding will change dramatically depending on the food….
  • Sneezy Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Joey sneezes a lot, but I don't think he has allergies. I think it is all the dust in our house. I hate to clean!! :D