Hi Kerry,

I'm northeast of the city in Lower Burrell. I'm not familiar with your area, but are there any parks or enclosed spaces near you? I don't mind a drive.

Kathy

Re: Pittsburgh??

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and looking for a possible basenji meet-up in the Pittsburgh area. I have a 4 year old neutered male (he's my fourth basenji) and he loves to run. Anybody nearby?

Kathy

I give Pete one 220 mg SAM-E daily that I buy on sale at Walgreens. it is close to the dose my doctor could prescribe but the vet prescription is costly. She said this would be fine. Pete seems to have GI upsets with milk thistle so I am not giving him that. He is now taking Actigal which has to be mixed at a formulary type pharmacy for him. It costs about $35 per month and he has only been on it for one month. I notice no change….but he isn't worse. He seems to be going into kidney failure, too, as he drinks lots of water and pees a lot more, too, but not inside the house except for one or two accidents when confined for a long time. He can still go overnight without going out....so I guess he is just getting older....

I have him on a low protein diet. I give him rice and chicken and potatoes. He doesn't like any of the prepared low protein food you can buy.

Hope this helps a little.

Pete seems to be doing okay, but he doesn't like the prescription L/D diet. I am just going to proceed with the SAM-E, milk thistle, and flagyl as well as the actigall for a month and see how he does. I'll keep him on his fairly low protein diet but let him have a chicken strip treat, too, as he loves them. When I'm old I want to enjoy the time left, not just try to stay around as long as possible. Quality not quantity.

Thanks to all for your thoughts!

Kath

Well, Pete had an ultrasound today and it showed he has a diseased liver…the vet doesn't think it is cancer but can't be sure what actually is going on. His liver appeared to have a coarse texture instead of being smooth like it should be. No large mass or tumor visible. She wanted me to go ahead with lots of other tests but I didn't today, just a urinalysis. I opted to add actigall and milk thistle, medications she suggested as well as continuing the SAM-E and a low protein diet. She wants him to try a special prescription diet called L/D, which is especially for liver issues. I didn't go for the biopsy or other x-rays today. I am going to try the things mentioned above, proceed cautiously, and perhaps get blood work again in a few months.

I haven't tried the exact Dr. Dodd's diet because Pete doesn't like fish or potato, unless the potato has lots of butter on it. He has been on a rice and chicken diet, and I have given him a child's liquid vitamin.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Thanks for replying. I would not opt for surgery or chemo at his age. Medications would be a different story. I agree, the ultrasound and consult with a specialist, although expensive, might help. But even that will stress him.

K

My almost 15 year old basenji, Pete, seems to be doing okay but when I took him for blood work after being on a low protein diet and metronidazole and SAM-E for 6 months, his liver enzymes were worse than before. He isn't having the symptoms he had in January (diarrhea) and he appears to be very well. His coat is shiny, eyes not jaundiced, he has gained a pound, and he walks with me and my other basenji, Lily, 2-3.5 miles every day. My vet now wants him to have an ultrasound and biopsy for diagnosis, but because of his age and apparent appearance of doing okay, I am hesitant. Additionally, he has been hypothyroid for most of his life and takes medication for that condition.

Any thoughts? I want to be compassionate to my old friend, but I also don't want to ignore something that could be corrected easily.

Kath

Thanks everybody, I like all the suggestions. And I agree, making Pete comfortable is the number one priority at this stage in his life.

Thanks all of you who replied, I appreciate your thoughts.

By the way, my vet recommends Pete take SAMe and metronidazol while following a low protein diet.

Any other treat recommendations? Both Lily and Pete were so used to having a treat at night.

I stopped them entirely several months ago, but the dogs sure loved them. Perhaps I'll give the chicken strips a try when Pete is more stabilized. I am going to try diet and medication before any further testing. The rice and chicken for the past few days has been well tolerated.