@Vanessa: I was allergic to our basenji when he first came home. I would break out in a rash when he touched me. My eyes would water and become really itchy. Just wash your B and wipe him down a few days a week until you adjust. Also consider some allergy meds…Zyrtec works great and now you don't need a perscription. Agree, Zyrtec is a great drug for allergies, but can make some people very sleepy. There is a new prescription allergy treatment available called Xyzal that has shown equal symptom relief to Zyrtec in clinical trials, but has less sedation. However, I will warn you that it is very expensive!

@Kananga: I'll mention next time I visit the vet. Like she had told me, it's not anything that will be a hindrance on Kananga. He just needs to be at an ideal weight to reduce any risk of aggravating his knee. Other than that he can still be 100% active without any side effects. That's why she said it was a Grade 1 and not anything above that, it's minor. Have you told his breeder? And certainly something you want to share with his breeder… and something that his breeder should take into consideration when planning any future breedings.... as in checking his sire/dam and any offspring.... Regardless of the degree, it is a defect in breeding and needs to be considered for any breeder...

Very well done and I'm so pleased that all is now well.

It's most likely a yeast infection. They get it in the ears quite often. Buddy has a yeast infection right now on his stomach.

thanks for the input from all. i am treating him with vet's + best for the hot spots. they and he seem to be getting better. he's working on terrorizing his 3rd ll bean bed as we speak. today's his 3rd birthday so he can do whatever he wants!!!

If he still wears the same collar and it is the culprit, it will irritate already raw skin and prevent complete healing. I know the holidays are usually tight for everyone, but perhaps finding a (maybe no-so-stylish) collar made of a completely different material and without dyes would stop the cycle. That's what eventually worked for Elvira, my cat. If it is confined to one spot where there an item directly touches the skin on a regular basis, it sounds more like contact dermatitis to me. Any creams may exacerbate the situation. If it was a food allergy, I would expect a more widespread problem. I would suggest, if he wears a cloth or nylon collar, get a natural leather collar with stainless steel loops rather than coated brass. Since colorful nylon and cloth seem to be the rage right now, it may be a little more difficult to find. The payoff is the leather collar will last much longer than cloth or nylon. If it is felt a cream or ointment must be used, break open a Vitamin E capsule and rub the goo on his rash. It is odorless and if Kiya feels she must be Little Miss Nursemaid, the Vitamin E will benefit her as well.

Tanza: Until the late 1700's, people who ate tomatoes without dying were considered to be witches. European wisdom at the time was tomatoes, while a pretty plant, were poisonous. They had to be because they look so much like Bella Donna. That's why the immigrants of the time thought Indians were magical: because Indians ate tomatoes and peppers all the time. There isn't enough of the active ingredient in any of the foods you feed your kids to hurt them. Since you peel your spuds, you have nothing to worry about.

Thanks all!!! @Basenjimamma: awesome..he already is a STUD.. @Kananga: Chafuko already knows that… :D :D All those B's are so proud on themselfses :D

Updated Rabies Control Act Allows Longer Vaccination Intervals http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=95265&catid=2 "The updated Rabies Control Act has new rules passed by the State Board of Health that allow for a longer interval between rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats. The new rules will become effective January 1, 2010. If a three-year vaccine is chosen, the pet will be required to be revaccinated three years later."

Sorry Sonyboy, I really dont mean to highjack you thread :o. I just wanted to say that I have just got an email to say that Saba's blood has jsut arrived and I should have the results by Wednesday your time Yaaaaay :D

Both my sons have allergies diagnosed by a professional allergist and do fine with Basenjis. We have just got our 3rd B two weeks ago and no sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes. I think for you that it MUST be something the dog is bringing in or perhaps your dog is one that performs one particular way and my family lucked out with 3 of the other way. Maybe someday they will have a test like the Fanconi that shows the DNA of this family tree has more dander and the DNA of that heritage has less dander to near none. I do agree with the smart person that has posted on this site the best idea I have ever heard: rub a t-shirt all over the possible family addition, sleep with the t-shirt, and THEN decide. I know it is too late for you but a good thing to repost for readers. Good luck with your situation.

Sounds like Griffin is better so happy for all of you. Rita Jean

Add to Dan's list mental dullness stunted growth polyneuropathy weakness hyperexcitability incontinence muscle wasting drooping eyelids pyoderma or skin infections bilaterally symmetrical hair loss seborrhea with greasy or dry skin lack of libido cardiac arrhythmias constipation diarrhea inflammatory bowel disease flatulence bleeding issues corneal lipid deposits infections of eyelid glands uveitis (infection of the eye) igA deficiency (immunoglobulin deficiency) loss of tast endorcrinopathies - adrenal, pancreatic, parathyroid loss of smell glycosuria (glucose present in urine) I think between Dan and I we have it about covered, but they are adding new symptoms all the time. Macpack-you have it about right! Actually, I think your chances of being hit by a meteor are nonexistent to the syptoms of thyroiditis!

I will continue this topic in the FOOD FORUMS since likely this is not a health issue at this time: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=7726&page=2 Thank you everyone for you comments, I am new here, and new to Basenji's so all the help is appreciated. The longer I keep little Benji confined, the more destruction he starts doing to the laundry room! :D

Thanks for that info Ivoss… It is probably the same here in Aus, I would think. I dont think there are a lot of Aussie breeders that do H/E, and if done, it would be the AVA scoring system, for those that do :)

A friend of mine tried to join it but found it inactive. Try the Yahoo Fanconi group list, it is very active!

@NerdyDogOwner: This sounds more like your regular Kennel cough. I agree with their Vet's call on this dog… considering the age and the description. My Maggii had this and it is not an uncommon condition for elders and what they have described is exactly what Maggii did. Of course it is a good idea to rule out other conditions.

So happy to hear your boy is comming home and doing well. Has to get better so he can go find another kitty again. I do know Jaycee does not like change we took the sofa out and it upset her bottom end that night better next day. Then fourth day we got new sofa and upset her that day again and now all is well. I would try putting his crate back in your room. Take care. Rita Jean