Wanted to update you on my basenji's ear rash problems! Her ear flaps had turned black, tiny bumps appeared, edges & tips became crusty & sore. After 18 months of stupid vet visits, lots of money & meds, the 2 vets knew nothing. I did lots of research & tried many remedies, which sort-of worked, but not totally. I finally found a dog dermatologist. He said it was Vasculitis wherein blood vessels constrict & affected parts, starting with ears, begin to wither away from lack of blood & oxygen. Said it was from rabies shots. Said reactions usually appear 1-3 months after rabies shots. He said stop using the vet's meds asap! Then he prescribed Gengraf oral tabs 25mg. I researched Dog Ear Vasculitis, & seems like he's right. Anyone ever heard of Ear Vasculitis?

Anyone know the difference between Interceptor vs Heartgard Plus? Last vet prescribed Interceptor. New vet sold me Heartgard Plus. My basenji will eat neither until I crush and hide in food. She's a 23 pound, 9-year old, spayed female. Lives indoors, plays outdoors. We walk dog trails and go the beach, where other dogs go. Victoria's allergy-prone and has vascullitis, a blood vessel disease. I want her protected from various worms, etc., but don't want to cause other health problems in the process. Thanks, Maxie (Leigh)

@nobarkus:

Thanks Leigh! I was thinking today about putting a spring on that gate. Did you get my email?

Yes, I did get your email. And you can take a look at my gate spring contraptions when you come here for our dog visit. I look forward to seeing you and Buddy. Leigh (Maxie)

Here's my gate solution. I went to the hardware store where I bought mega eye screws and a great big spring with hooks on each end. Ranchers use them on barn gates. I took the 2 eyescrews and screwed one on the fence and one on the gate. To those, I attached the two spring hooks. Now the gate "slams shut" on its own. For backup, I did the same with a heavy duty bungee cord. I'm going to do it to my front door as well. Now, Victoria is no longer tempted due to its high-powered "slam shut" feature.

@nobarkus:

Wow, now what? Does anybody ever get another chip put in?

I agree - Now what? If chips can: Migrate back out thru insertion holes or to other areas. Become defective. Stop working. Someone said batteries (yikes).
The vet here said pounds & shelters may have different scanners, so cannot read all chips. And as we all know, Basenjis can be escape artists, bolt, get spooked, chew doors, scale fences, or back out of collars. My 3 basenjis could back out of any collars, martingales and harnesses. Any other ideas besides lockdown, collars and chips? Thanks, Maxie (Leigh)

Hi Alex,
Good thinking, and thanks! I'll save these links in case anyone else every needs them. Buddy was just found in the next town by someone who brought him to the pound there. Thank God! @Alex:

Should we post a lost dog ad here:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/laf/
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pet/

Title: Lost Dog: Tri Colored Basenji 25lbs - Lost Today 10/8/09

Dan just called to let me know someone found Buddy way over in the NEXT town(!) and brought him to the dog pound there. The pound found his phone on the microchip and gave Dan a call. I had just finished making his photo-poster to email to pounds & shelters in surrounding towns. I know Buddy is a runner, but I cannot believe he made it to the next town in that amount of time. I guess "spooked" is a big deal for a basenji. Dan is so relieved! And I bet Buddy will be glad to see him later this evening. Anyway, Thank you all. Maxie (Leigh)

Hi everyone,
Dan's Basenji, named Buddy, got spooked by a truck and took off running! Last seen running west on Oak Ave near Juniper Ave in Redwood City, CA ? without his collar. Buddy is only 11 months old, tri-colored (black,white,tan), 25 lbs. He's not skiddish, but he is a runner. Please help if you can. I'll make photo-posters that can be emailed and also printed within the hour. Dan is out searching so please 650-714-2239 for sightings only, so Dan can stay focused on searching. Also, please help spread the word near that area in Redwood City CA! Again, Buddy took off without his collar. Thank you! Maxie (Leigh)

How will we know when the Pet Expenses Tax Deductions bill will be voted on
or has it already been passed or defeated?

Dearest Kathryn,
I am sad to hear the news. That is so heartbreaking. I will pray for you both. When and how do you think he got Lymes disease. I'm so sad for you both. Maxie

I'm sorry, I didn't know your message was here. To answer you, it begins in many ways. Lumpy, red, or black. Then black inside and along the ridges. This worked for me, in this order. I did it in steps, as Victoria gets wild. Day 1: Massage
Epi-Optic ear cleanser (vet) for dogs, cats on inner and outer ear surface, then squirt some down ear canal. Later, bathe with Malaseb Shampoo for dogs(EntirelyPets.com). Leave it on for the entire 10 minutes. ( I shampoo the ears the next day) Keep both products out of eyes. Day 2-3: Foam up the Malaseb Shampoo on on inner and outer ear surface, but not in ear canal. Leave on 10 minutes. Wipe off with wet rag until clean. Repeat every 2 weeks or so until it's gone. If it later comes back, repeat the above. I do the whole cycle 5 times a year. Works for us.