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Getting to be an Old Man

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • @AJs:

    I'm a dork. Forgot when I joined up. I thought I'd been around longer than that…

    I've had AJ since he was 5.

    Thanks for the correction, Dan. How's Buddy?

    Buddy's great! He's 28 lbs of energy. AJ has a long way to go young lady. My Basenjis have been pretty active even at 13! My first lived to be 17-1/2! Maybe he just wasn't feeling well for a bit there as dogs can get viruses too.

  • AJ comes from a slow developing line. He didn't really "come into his own" until he was well into his fourth year. Hopefully, if Ms. Patty is right, that means he'll be around for years to come.

    Glad to hear the Bud-Meister is doing well.

  • AJs Human - it's marvellous how time flies!!!

    Joking apart, I'm so pleased that you seem to have given AJ new spirit with the return to a food that you know he's done well on. I've read the blurb on 'Missing Link' and heard the information on it from the salesman. I've no experience as I've not used it. I'm a bit of a sceptic where these things are concerned. The only way is to try it for a time and see the results (if any).

  • Losing a loved one is a hard thing to bear, especially a pet. I think it's because they are in our life 24 hours a day usually from the day we get them. I've lost some fury friend in the past and the grieving process was quite long for me. You don't have to think about it until that day come though.

  • I used Missing Link Plus with Maxx (the "Plus" is the one for joint support) and, IMO, it made a huge difference with him.

    Maxx had Valley Fever for the last 4 years of his life. It skipped the respiratory phase and went straight to the disseminated phase, affecting his bones. I could tell a big difference in him once I started giving him the Missing Link Plus.

  • My B boy is 13 and starting to get up a little more slowly. The vet recommended Arthrosamine and omega-3s in December, and it has made a noticeable difference. I'm starting to worry about the stairs, though.

  • @LindaH:

    I used Missing Link Plus with Maxx (the "Plus" is the one for joint support) and, IMO, it made a huge difference with him.

    Maxx had Valley Fever for the last 4 years of his life. It skipped the respiratory phase and went straight to the disseminated phase, affecting his bones. I could tell a big difference in him once I started giving him the Missing Link Plus.

    Do they like the taste?

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    The alpha dog does not squeal when nipped. You should be the alpha dog, not a litter mate. Making a noise like that shows excitement, which to an already unstable minded dog, only compounds the problem. Being the alpha is a mindset. If you watch an alpha dog, they get what they want by intimidation 99% of the time. There is very little aggression but a lot of persuasion. This is why you don’t take things off a dog, you persuade them to drop whatever it is, then remove it. Being the alpha is very much about mindset, posture, willpower, stubbornness, eye contact and voice tone. When the dog nips, straighten up and assume a commanding posture / mindset. I usually say calmly but firmly “hey” in a particular tone. They know immediately that what they just did is not acceptable and that I am serious. I also hold my hand out (not closely too them) with the palm towards them. Also, never underestimate eye contact, the alpha uses it’s eyes a lot. Notice most dogs when you stare at them will stare back and then look away. Always stay calm, never angry and always be fair.
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    Ours had seizures at 7.5 and required Keppra and Phenobarbital. I would take this seriously and get the pup evaluated ASAP and on medication as each seizure can damage sight and brain cells.
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    @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.
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    @Schouiffy: Hey Tanza, No she hasn't had much of anything done as of recent. My parents have had a really wild last 2 years so I think thats contributed to the lack of vet work. Happily, and thanks to Dan, we have an appointment set up for tomorrow morning with the vet. yay. And I'll restrain on the food front. I mean its not awful food, but there are a lot of grains… hmm. It's really kinda difficult to see them at this age, I think this last year as been a hard one for her too... Again.. at her age.. I go back to "if it ain't broke" don't try to fix it… I can tell you that is exactly what I would do... period.... and yes, there might be better.. but at her age... it is not going to make a difference.. again IMO
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    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.