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Allergy & Skin Issues

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Poor C3PO. I know food isn't the cure all, but wanted to see if that might be part of the reson..well it doesn't sound like it. I am glad you had his blood drawn so you might get an answer on his thyroid..

  • Did you have a full thyroid panel run? Pat is right that skin and coat issues including hives and rashes can be caused by a thyroid problem.

  • Yes, please make sure they rule out Thyroid with a full panel. Like I said, my OJ had horrible, horrible hives and it was his Thyroid.. once on the soloxine totally gone, never a problem again

  • Do let us know what you find out re your dog.

  • it could also be a topical yeast infection. omar had a 24 hour case of huge hideous hives followed by months of itching and scratching. he ended up bald on his sides and neck in places. raw chewed paws. awful to watch him suffer.
    we bathed him with malaseb - [rinsing VERY well] a few times a week. quite an effort with a water loathing dog. but it worked! you can go have a skin scratch test taken to see if it is yeast. very curable. but you have to be diligent.
    people think we are pathetic to take him to a doggie dermatologist/allergist. that's what we have insurance for!!

  • Let us know how he's doing…

  • Hi folks,
    My Kairo has bumps and rashs on is chest were the harness meets. Is it the nylon strap or the metel ring? I did change his food out w/ no corn ingredients and he has cleared up from that. So should i get leather?

  • My other dog, the dachshund had the same on his neck and throat area, I was told it was a nylon sensitivity, changed to leather and it is gone..so it might be worth a while..is the harness rubbing him to much?

  • I know some people have good results attaching felt or fleece to the back of their dog's harnesses to help lessen the rubbing and it seems to work. Sort of like using mole skin on your heel to prevent rubbing a blister.

  • I know it's been a couple of months but we did a full thyroid panel & thankfully it came back normal. As a result of his bad allergies he got a terrible ear infection & we put him on another steroid cycle :(

    The vet doesn't want to keep him on this at all….so she suggested putting him on Atopica (Cyclosporine) which basically attacks immune cells & blocks symptom causing effects. I've done some research & some dogs do well after a month & then you can taper to a maintenance level to keep the dog comfortable.

    Anyone use this drug??

  • Hydroxizine AKA Atarax is a great drug for treating severe allergies, it is by far the best antihistamine for reducing itching. It does have a high amount of sedation as a side effect and is also marketed as a sleep aid. OTC Zyrtec is a good alternative since it is a metabolite of Atarax and has less sedation. You may want to find a vet that specializes in allergy treatment and have the dog skin tested to identify exactly what it is and isn't allergic to. You could consider allergen immunotherapy to reduce and potentially eliminate the allergies.

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  • Possible allergies?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    wizardW
    Try switching to chicken or turkey based foods. Here's a link to an excellent evaluation of kibble brands: www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/whole-dog-journals-approved-dry-dog-food-list/ I would also be careful what you put on your hands before cuddling with your dog; lotions, essential oils, etc. can cause allergies in dogs
  • Help, please - emaciated B skin issue

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    YodelDogsY
    One thing you can do to help his coat is to bathe him every 1-2 weeks with Murphy's Oil Soap. Use your fingers and gently "scrub" him while he is soaped up. (Murphy's does not produce much lather so don't expect it.) The massaging will loosen dead hair and help it fall out. This stimulates new hair to grow. Murphy's has natural oils including coconut that help moisten the skin and keep it healthy.
  • Kidney Issues

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    tanzaT
    You know, at his age (and in my opinion) any elder dog, the goal is to get them to eat and keep them eating… so I don't stress out about kcal's too much particularly since I use Vit Supplements.
  • Allergies

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    V
    Do you live in the country in MN? My 4-year-old hound mix, Priss, has problems in the summer months starting about August. She will lick her feet until they are red and the fur is almost gone. I have tried all kinds of medications, shots, and changed her diet, but it is something environmental. I've even taken her to different vets to see if someone might have a solution. Most of the medications are steriods; they work for a week or so, then are ineffective. I won't use them anymore. Priss bloats up like a balloon! My vet thinks it is either a particular weed that grows this time of year or possibly a mite or small insect that is invisible to the naked eye. I wash her feet in vinegar and water when she comes in the house and have started using Willard Water, http://www.dr-willardswater.com, too. Sometimes, I use a diluted solution of tree tea oil to soothe the itching. Priss smells like a dirty sock from licking her feet when she is troubled by allergies. Also, she runs a low-grade fever, especially in the morning. I give her 1/2 a baby aspirin and wash her face with cool water.
  • Allergy or not?

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    MacPackM
    If you can video her while she is doing this, it might help a vet to diagnose, if indeed it is small seizure-type activity.
  • Allergies

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    E
    Both my sons have allergies diagnosed by a professional allergist and do fine with Basenjis. We have just got our 3rd B two weeks ago and no sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes. I think for you that it MUST be something the dog is bringing in or perhaps your dog is one that performs one particular way and my family lucked out with 3 of the other way. Maybe someday they will have a test like the Fanconi that shows the DNA of this family tree has more dander and the DNA of that heritage has less dander to near none. I do agree with the smart person that has posted on this site the best idea I have ever heard: rub a t-shirt all over the possible family addition, sleep with the t-shirt, and THEN decide. I know it is too late for you but a good thing to repost for readers. Good luck with your situation.