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Sick pup, help stomach virus

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • My nine month old female came down with what the vet thought was a intestinal virus. She could hardly sit and ran couple degree temp. Gave her a shot of antibotics and prescribed cephalaxin twice a day for seven days. Her tail curled back up and she was improving daily til day four when her tail laid back down, she has a temp again, sitting gingerly and now is favoring her front paw, not sure if the foot is even related here. I'm a newer human to basenjis and the two we have are delightful just a bit stumped as to what's going on with her, thank you anyone for any insight you might possess.

  • I just noticed her nose is swollen on one side…I'm thinking she has been bit by something...might account for the temp too...ugh what next. I'll update once the vet checks her out.

  • It's hard to evaluate why your pup is sick from a forum as your vet would know best being able to physically see her. You didn't notice the swollen nose before?

  • Thanks dan. It wasn't swollen last night, just her paw a bit but mostly she was favoring it slightly. I'm @ the vet now….will post results soon. Thanks again.

  • @jenschlitz@att.net:

    Thanks dan. It wasn't swollen last night, just her paw a bit but mostly she was favoring it slightly. I'm @ the vet now….will post results soon. Thanks again.

    OK, I didn't want to guess and give the wrong advice. I hope she recovers quickly. Please let us know what was found and how she's doing.

  • Vet gave her steriod shot and different antibiotic, hopefully she'll respond well.

  • What did the vet seem to think it was just an allergic reaction to something?

  • He wasn't sure but we're both thinking that is more probable because she was improving from the stomach virus then started swelling last eve….she seemed to be reacting well to the shot...perking up, tail is curled back up. I'm really wondering if she ate a spider or something. Thanks for your interest.

  • I do hope that she'll soon be better. Its always a bit worryng when the cause is not known,sometimes is an allergy in that case

  • It is all togehter possible that you had 2 different things that just happened to occur close enough to be one - in any event - glad things are a bit better.

  • Thanks all for your helpfulness and support. You just love the lil kids so much it's always unnerving when they're ill. Hard to believe I've been a zookeeper years ago dealing with death and illness regularly and I still worry to death even more with these pups. Her foot has started to ulcerate and ooze after much licking on her part. I did a peroxide flush and her temp is staying down pretty well, vet comes tomorrow so hopefully we are out of the woods. Thanks again everyone!

  • Vet update on our girl today was maintaining but not positive its a spider or bee bite but it is draining some and she's feverish still. Thinking though the stomach virus On the upside she's eating, staying hydrated and gums are pink…vets back on friday . We'll keep sending info when and if we get a positive idea as to what has got her so sick..hope it will help someone else down the road.

  • Make a paste of baking soda and warm water and back in where the hole is - wrap with gauze and then hold her so she doesn't rip it apart for about 30 min and then repeat as needed

  • How is she today?

  • Beni, our female pup that started off with intestinal virus then started swelling is doing much better. Her fever has left, her muzzle swelling is gone and her foot is almost back to normal with a small abcess still draining but healing….not sure that we'll know if she was bit by a spider or bee or what but we are so grateful for all the people that supported and helped our girl. This was my first experience with forum and I'll be a frequent visitor,,such aa great resource and opportunity to hang with b's and basenji owners...thanks again. Jen

  • Yes, keep us posted. Ahhh… young animals. They always seem to learn their lessons regarding bees, wasps, spiders, frogs....

  • Funny thing today…I found a large dead bumblebee on the ground today without its stinger and pretty beat up...I'm thinking our lil girl learned a valuable lesson that not everything that buzzes is a fun sicada(sp?). Doing pretty well today, onery lil thing!

  • I'm relievd to hear that your little girl is geting better. I have difficulties in persuading mine that a seemingly dead bee or wasp can be just as dangerous as a live one.

  • I am sadder than expressable today to say our beloved has left us @ not quite 9 mos. She took a turn for the worse yesterday and passed today after three cardiac arrests. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

  • Oh my goodness… I'm so sorry for your sudden and unexpected loss.

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