Menopause vs Basenjis - PLEASE READ my story! This is very important!

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    Sorry I didn't proof read my post everybody. All of my quotes and apostrophes are now question marks! blah!!!

    Sadie

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    @Tayda_Lenny:

    Woah Sadie! This IS unbelievable! I'm so glad you now have an answer to the previously unsolved mystery of their hair falling out! Hopefully they will be back to having full coats in no time!

    Me too, Michelle! It's been a loooooooong road…...and extremely expensive, too!

    Thanks!

    Sadie

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  • QuercusQ

    Wow! I had heard about this somewhere else recently, and now I don't remember where. I am so sorry that you all had to go through that.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • nobarkusN

    Wow Sadie that's something and much, much effort and expense on your part to find the cause. I've heard of this too some time ago but totally forgot about it.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    :mad: Here's what my poor Haley looks like after nearly 3 years of exposure to the topical Estrogen/Estradiol spray EvaMist. :(

    Is it not bad enough that she has to also have Fanconi?????!!!!!!!!
    attachment_p_147085_0_thru-10-8-11-220-copy.jpg

    Sadie

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    Here's a pic of my sweet, handsome Prince as we got him….....and one after nearly two years of exposure :(

    How sad is this????!!!!!!!
    attachment_p_147086_0_sadie-s-camera-thru-11-06-09-006-copy.jpg
    attachment_p_147086_1_thru-10-8-11-211-copy.jpg

    Sadie

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  • QuercusQ

    That is really interesting…it looks totally like a thyroid condition, but that makes sense..since thyroid, reproductive hormones and metabolic issues are all connected. I wonder if the AVMA has sent out a bulletin or something about this to their members...seems like it might be a good idea, so they can catch it right away...

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • eeeefarmE

    Hormones are very powerful, and can have dramatic effects. Your story doesn't surprise me, only that it took so long for an experienced vet to nail the diagnosis. When more than one dog is involved, look for something in the environment for sure. I'm surprised it took so long for someone to do a thorough look at blood work and discover the abnormality. Glad you have found the answer, and thank you for posting it as a heads up for others.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    @Quercus:

    That is really interesting…it looks totally like a thyroid condition, but that makes sense..since thyroid, reproductive hormones and metabolic issues are all connected. I wonder if the AVMA has sent out a bulletin or something about this to their members...seems like it might be a good idea, so they can catch it right away...

    I agree. I will be reporting it to the FDA and the specialty vet is working on a report for a vet convention in Canada, too. I'm going to tell anyone who'll listen! ;)

    Sadie

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  • nobarkusN

    Sadie,
    I would hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    @nobarkus:

    Sadie,
    It wouldn't hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

    Hi Dan,
    Who is Dr Dodds and the OFA? (color me BLOND! teehee)
    Sadie

    Sadie

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  • nobarkusN

    Dr Dodds does the more extensive thyroid test in S. CA at the lab, Hemopet
    http://www.hemopet.org/

    OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) does the Fanconi DNA testing we all get and they will help you with the thyroid test too. They have a list of approved labs.
    http://www.offa.org/thy_labs.html

    You would need to get the blood drawn and shipped from your local vet to either of these labs. They provide complete instructions for you and the vet on what to do.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • QuercusQ

    @nobarkus:

    Sadie,
    I would hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

    I agree; if nothing else, I am sure Dr. Dodds would love to learn more about this phenomenon

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • MacPackM

    Maybe vets, like human docs, start along one diagnosis track and are so focused they don't think outside the box. In retrospect, all that you say, eeeefarm, makes perfect sense! Especially both dogs being involved. Note to vets, bald dogs belonging to 40-ish females: check hormone levels!

    So goad you have an answer at last, hopefully they will be furry little critters soon!

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • tanzaT

    Very interesting and does make perfect sense… I am glad now that I went through menopause "naked".. so to speak. However it was not fun....:(

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • SyberSadeS
    First Basenji's

    Thank you everyone…......especially Anne "my new best friend" in Tampa who suggested that I might only be 40-ish!!! :) hehe

    Sadie

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  • agilebasenjiA

    WOW - thanks for sharing. I wonder about people babysitting small children, does it rub off on them? I'm guessing it rubbed off on the dogs, or were they licking you?

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  • eeeefarmE

    Just for interest sake, I ran the scenario by my niece, who is a vet. She knew about the connection…...and would have nailed it. Nice to know she is on top of things like this.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • C

    Topical human hormones and animals was mentioned in this

    thread

    Hope I did this right.

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  • nobarkusN

    Read this article.
    http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15950

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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    Sick Basenji :(

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    P
    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
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    oh i feel so bad for you going through this with your baby. my prayers are with you. the picture was so sweet.