Well it's been almost 2 months since Layla was diagnosed with her liver issues. She is doing great. She's still on all three meds and probably will be forever. She's gained about 3 lbs and she's a very happy girl. She's used to taking her meds so it's pretty routine now (almost like a treat for her). She's so energetic and is super playful, sometimes too playful….but it's that typical for a basenji. Everyday makes me so happy to come home and see her doing so well.

Well - My vet got all her reports and I went to him to get two of the meds. The pharmacy has to special order the other because they only have capsules and she needs 1/4 of a tablet.

The vet has his own line of meds and the liver support has both SAMe and Milk Thistle along with some other vitamins and stuff. It was a little more expensive then just the SAMe at the health food store.

Also, just within a day of the new food she has ate more than she has ate in a long time. She isn't burping and her stomach isn't gurgling. She's definitely not 100% but I can already see an inprovement. I also started a Layla journal…to log how much she's eating, relieving herself, energy levels and attitude.

Thanks – Do you know where I can get the SAM-E, the university said I can get it at my regular vet but they don't carry it, neither does the local vet in the town I live in. My vet said they carry some liver support supplments at their office too, I think that's why they want me to wait.

I also checked online and I can only find 400mg and she needs 90mg. I also checked around for the new dog food because the university is about a 1/2 hour away...and a direction I rarely have to go...I called the Pet Supplies Plus in a nearby town we buy our normal dog food at and they are going to try and order it.

I don't want to get my hopes up with her but I'm looking forward to having a happy dog...I really hope these meds and supplements start making her feel better until we can figure out whats really wrong!!

Well we had our appt today with Michigan State University. They did a whole bunch of tests, she was there all day with them, but we did not do the ultrasound yet because I didn't have $800 available to do everything. They did a Biochemistry profile, Complete Blood Count, Bile Acid's test, and Leptospire Antibodies test. We got all of the results except the Lepto because that takes a few days. Anyway, it's definitely her liver and we will be doing an ultrasound as soon as I can come up with the $400. They are supposed to call me as soon as they get the lepto results. I also got a sample of a different food (Royal Canin Hepatic LS) which Layla has taken a liking to right away. That was the most I've seen her eat in a week probably. I also got three scripts for her…SAM-E Ursodiol and Lactulose. I called my regular vet and he advised me to wait to fill them until they review the reports which should only be a day or so.

It's also a possibility they may want to do a liver bioposy after the ultrasound. Although, we don't have a definite diagnosis I was very pleased with the University. I'm hoping to have the ultrasound done within the next week or two...hopefully sooner because they did confirm that it's her liver not functioning properly and not something else causing her liver to malfunction.

Ok well Layla has an appt at the Michigan State University Vet Hospital. Just the initial visit is $100 - I had my vet fax her blood work to them and to me. Her ALKP should be somewhere between 23 - 212, hers was over 2000 and her ALT should be between 10-100 and hers was 733 most everything else was in normal range or very close to normal.

I know they will want to do an u/s so that will be next after this initial visit. Wish Layla luck!!!

I haven't been on the threads is quite sometime. I took my 3 yr old basenji into the vet saturday for weight loss, digestion issues. I thought she had some sort of acid reflux but the vet suspected something different. We did blood work and it turns out she has high liver enzymes and high red blood cells. I would have to go to the university for an ultrasound. or our vet could do an xray but she said they may not find anything in the xray. I am devastated right now and I hope every turns for the better for your basenji!

I'm sorry but I have been nothing but honest with everyone from the start. I told you from the start there were other prospective buyers, and in my email I told you they had not been tested.

The buyers that I chose have experience with basenji's by owning them and understand what it takes to own one. I have apologized multple times for not allowing you to buy one of my pups there is nothing more that I can do.

Thanks a lot.

No I have not done the test yet but I did contact the owner of the mother of my litter. She has both parents of my female–she said that they have been tested and neither have it.

I've read you can test their if their is sugar in their urine and if there is not then they don't have it. And the urine should be tested monthly and if it shows up then to get them tested. Is that true? Either way they will be tested way now that I have read more about it and am more informed.

How much later may I ask?

We had 1 tri 2 years ago and we could tell right way, her cheeks and eyes were already red. We also had 2 extemely dark brindles last time as well but we could still see the color difference. I thought it was pretty crazy. Every thing I read points to not possible.

I'll keep you updated if any color changes.

She had the puppies on Dec 12. 4 males and 2 Female. The females are red/white. 2 of the males are red/white and 2 males are black/white. I didn't think it was possible to have black/white unless one parent is black/white. At least that's what I have read anyway I could be wrong. The mother is brindle/white and the male is red/white.

All of the puppies have a full white collar and white on their face from their noses to between their eyes. And of course they have the white feet/belly and tips of tails. They went yesterday to get their dew claws taken out.

The mother did wonderful and she's doing good.