Posts made by coldsenji

Hello,
I recommend reading:
Early Kidney Disease - Difficulty Getting Her to Eat
at https://basenjiforums.com/topic/15616/early-kidney-disease-difficulty-getting-her-to-eat/13
What may guide your path:
Kidney values relative to normal.
Is there proteinurea?
For homemade, read DogAware and accompanying websites.
Good luck!

I will admit that I am not the best at this either...
Young dog, so scary to be alone: Let's make it more fun! Good stuff happens when you go away (like the washroom)... so get the good treats out! I used to throw quite a few Cherios or kibbles on the floor to keep my dogs busy in a positive way.
Clicker training is good for Basenjis. Train him to go into his crate by himself but don't close the door yet. Teaching 'down time' is important and takes time.
Tire that Basenji brain with training.
It is difficult because Basenjis are pack dogs. They do their own thing but do not like being alone.
Good luck!

Hi,
For the phosphorus, do compare from year to year, but your need the 'normal' range for a proper assessment. It is important to balance the calcium-phosphorus in the diet using eggshells or calcium carbonate. It is easy to do with a homemade diet. Most regular dog foods use bonemeal for balancing which is the way to go for healthy dogs (it contains both calcium and some phosphate).
If phosphates go way to high, your vet might recommend phosphate binders. BTW, calcium carbonate is a phosphate binder but there are others. Reducing the total phosphate in the diet is important, but not necessarily the solution.

Hello,
Make sure you give the Azodyl as a whole pill. It is supposed to be in a special capsule which does not dissolve in the stomach.
I recommend you read the trend in 'Basenji Feeding' about Lenny's kidney disease. I like the info from DogAware.com. Wet food is usually the way to go. It can help with water intake and the protein has better bioavailability. Avoid kibble and avoid cooking at high temperature.
Elevated liver enzyme require a bit more research for proper feeding. A half teaspoon of green tripe (stinks to humans, my Basenji looooves it) can help appetite... but nothing compares to it afterwards (and I am not sure about green tripe and elevated liver enzymes).
You need a canine nutritionist how is not 20 years behind in their knowledge. You need someone who is acquainted with: Mythology of Protein Restriction for Dogs with Reduced Renal Function by Kenneth Bovee DVM (1999).
Good luck!

You might want to read about the bioavailability of proteins in 'kibble' format. For kidney disease, canned will be superior to protein that underwent the Maillard reaction.
I am not surprised if homecooked beats kibble (or corn).
If you dog does not have proteinurea, read about feeding the protein (healthy protein). Later stages (proteinurea) may require lower protein diet.
Don't forget the supplements. Slow and steady with the B-vitamins.
DogAware.com has a lot of info and links.
Best of luck! Let him have fun stealing food

Hello again,
I like "When Pigs Fly" and "Dogs are from Neptune".
Also, look up "It's Yer Choice". It is a fantastic impulse control game. It helps Basenjis a lot. It teaches them to wait to get what they want. Do it in very short bursts at first (60 seconds!) and always end on a good note. It is a good foundation for training and it is a game that extends to meal time.
Short training sessions work better.

Hello,
Positive training is important.
Cliquer training does work... but mine figured out the shaping game very fast.
Know which behaviour you want. Be clear and consistent with your Basenji. "You want to go outside? Not until you sit!"
Go to a local obedience trial and ask. See who trains terriers and sighthounds. I know trainers who work fine with traditional obedience breed but step back at the word Basenji!
Find what motivates your dog in terms of food and non-food rewards.
Good luck!

Back to basic training. Practice sits and downs (anything else fun to the Basenji) in a controlled environment repeatedly (5 minutes at a time).
Go in a SLIGHTLY less controlled environment (front of the house will do for some dogs) and practice the same with better rewards (2 minutes at a time).
Increase distractions. Eventually work just far enough from a likely instigator for 1 minute max and work towards 3 minutes. Then decrease the distance slowly. This is to show your dog that he can listen, sit, and get a reward (even while glaring at another dog). Work towards being his focus and being more interesting than the other dog. It is best if you have a very cooperative helper (owner of other dogs who knows what you are trying to do).
If you can find a trainer that knows this approach and can help you through it, that would be great.
Good luck and use small frequent training sessions. (...wear thick jeans when walking your dog... it hurts.)

Hi,
Try CanuckDogs dot com and look under the Prairie tab, then the lure coursing option.
Alberta usually has a few events per year.
I do not know when they will start again in 2011.
Have fun!

SciDiet beats nothing. Try the Kidney formula. I would recommend canned food for kidney problems.
The mammal meat requirement is from 'wet meat' and NOT dry food (dry food changes the protein). Some wet mammal meat should be part of the diet (I am not up-to-date with the hybrid protocol) so check the meat for kidney diet (usually chicken and pork… so a bit of pork daily could be good).
Home-made diets can be great but make SURE that it is balanced (minerals and vitamins) and you may have to repeat bloodwork after a couple of weeks to ensure that the mineral supplements are in correct amounts (the ones that can be measured in any case). Most homemade food require some supplements. DO NOT ADD the supplements while the food is warm. Wait until it is cold. Omega-3 can help too (fish oil or flax seed oil).
Use rigatoni pasta to hide the pills. Good pocket shape!
Good luck!