Skip to content

Eye issue

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • @Chealsie508:

    I just hate seeing anything-for me it's like my first kid, anything is cause to sound the alarms, lol. I'll keep everyone updated on the results, thanks

    Kipawa IS my first kid, so I understand your feelings completely. You are a great basenji owner!

  • My lure coursing boy had corneal dystrophy and it did not affect his eyesight. It depends on which kind/type it is. I am certain that whatever kind he had was noted on the CERF from as breeder discretion and for him it only affected one eye.

    Jennifer

  • Corneal dystrophy were most likely not present at the puppy eye test….
    http://www.vmdb.org/dx2.html

  • /QUOTE]"I worry so much more about eyes since reading Sonnys story here in the forum! For all I know it could be nothing but he's the love of my life and I'd rather be safe than sorry but I also feel a responsibility to maintain good communication to my breeder about anything health wise so as to keep the integrity to her breeding program and also to publicly record his records for Basenji Health

    Try not to worry too much before you see the specialist! :) I'm sure its nothing as severe as Sonny's PRA. It's been a year now since I found out that Sonny was blind and life has gone on not much different then before. Once I got over my initial freak out and few weeks of crying Sonny just kept looking at me as if to say "are you over it yet? can we just go play now!" He still runs and plays with his best friends. And to those that don't know Sonny is blind are amazed to find out after they've watched him go out his business. Sonny turns 5 next week and life is good! So try not to worry too much ( I know easier said then done). I'm sure Oakley will be ok & you'll breath easier after the appointment..Be positive!!!!!

  • I don't think it's severe either… My fear is that I don't want to hear it could progress into anything detrimental to his sight... Im hoping the best and it was the push I needed to get his eyes CERFd anyway for peace of mind. He comes from a good line and all the health tests were done via the breeder which is always a feeling of security but one can never know what just pops up. Keeping positive it's just trauma from the hiking with tall grasses or something I can fix like diet ( even though I try to feed the best)...
    He's very young and resilient so this will just be crossing the T's and dotting the I's...

    It amazes me how sonny is so unaffected by his blindness... I'm sure it was a hard diagnosis to swallow originally; it was definitely hard to read... But a lesson for me that eyes are a big deal....

  • Oh and regarding Opthamologists, I would try to find one that has looked at basenjis before. If you don't have a reference to one, I would take him to Tufts.

  • UPDATE: so I did some searching and also asked my breeder for opthamologists references and one name seemed to keep coming up so I scheduled Oakley for an exam on Wednesday the 3rd at ocean state veterinary specialists to see Dr. Marcia Aubin. It's about 40 minutes and the exam isn't necessarily cheap but I'm happy and confident its the best choice so it looks like I'll have feedback to share then; and in the meantime I'll just survive on ramen noodles and water (lol). Luckily we got a quick appointment and my regular vet didn't put up a fight about giving the referral so I'm about as happy camper as you can get spending 170$ bucks at once.. Anything for a happy and healthy bop

  • Are you doing a CERF exam? If so and that's what you want then that's fine. But if you just want to figure out what the issue is, you probably don't need an official CERF and there might be a cheaper exam option. Only reason I bring it up is that is what I did and the eye doc I went to gave me a break and charged me for a cheaper exam when I was there rather than the CERF.

  • Hmm, good to know. I really only want the issue diagnosed: he's neutered and therefore doesn't really need the CERF… I just asked how much it was for the exam to see him for his issue and they quoted 170$plus anything additional the doctor needs to do. I'll ask when I'm there though- I'm not opposed to less money for the same outcome...But on the flip side of the coin I don't think there's any limit on what I'd pay for him to be healthy

  • I hope all goes well on the 3rd. Please let us know how things go.

    I just can't understand the 'clumsiness' - so unusual in a Basenji. It could be because of his sight. Hugs to Oakley.

  • He has been a clutz all his life- never really graceful unless he's at a good pace. Going from couch to coffee or side tables is almost a sure bet he will miss, and like a said, if he's straddling between two objects then plop he goes… It's funny sometimes because he's a goofball but other times I think, "what's wrong"... If its not his eye then I am just going to assume he didn't get the memo on being catlike...he is a goofball so maybe that's just his thing!

  • Wow, for a change things are way cheaper in California… That is pretty high

  • Just my luck Pat! I could probably get it a little less expensive if she wasn't at Ocean State Vet Hospital but from everyone I talked to, her name kept coming up as the best. The 170$ is just to get in, see her and do the exam which I'm told includes a few tests she does. It's what I was quoted with the notation it could be higher if something additional needs to be done… I pray he won't need the "additional" category..lol. From what I hear she also has been doing the yearly eye clinic which saves money but I won't wait until September... O the joys of dog ownership!

  • As a second option did you consider Dr. Kenneth Abrams in Warwick RI. I choose him over Ocean State last year when I had to take Sonny for his diagnosis. Dr. Abrams was wonderful with Sonny. Just wanted you to have info :) Keeping my fingers crossed all is well with Oakley!!!

  • Hmm, I didn't know of Dr Abram… Can I ask what made you choose him over Oean State?

  • So I just checked out dr. Abram and am impressed at his resume, I will call them tomorrow morning to compare notes, I may change my mind… Thanks for the option, let you know tomorrow how that goes

  • Just keep an open mind but go with what you think is best for you and Oakley. Living in RI most of us here try to avoid Ocean State if at all possible. It tends to be more about the money then the animals, That's not referring to the specific doctor is just how a lot of us in RI feel about Ocean State as a whole. Please let me know how you guys make out no matter what you decide :)

  • I do know the stigma of OSVS…which is why when Oakley needed to be hospitalized for the xylitol I chose It's sister hospital, baystate vet hospital and found they are friendlier and less expensive but also have the time moreso than OSVS whose facility is geared towards emergency med on a larger scale..But I figured their specialists would be different and if nothing else I've heard from many that Dr.Aubin is wonderful. I do however really like Dr. Abrams resume and his family practice is enticing. I think their resumes stand up to each other and the distance/time is about equal so it may come down to cost... I like to have options rather than settling for what I can find. Tomorrow I'll be able to better tell, appreciate the advice and will update tomorrow with more info.
    Thanks again everyone

  • …so I got to talk to dr. Abram and also really like the staff that I got to speak with, and since I wouldn't be able to speak with Dr.Aubin I felt much more comfortable with going with Abrams optomologists practice, on the upside the exam is a little less coming in at 155$. The extra money practically pays for his frontline ( this years Mosquitos and ticks are AWFUL since we didn't get a deep freeze this winter). Another plus is I was able to get an appointment this Friday which so happens to be on my day off. Appreciate the advice Sonnyboy, I'll throw dr. Abram a hello from Sonny! Definitely more excited to get a personal feel where I might like the practice enough to continue maintenance eye exams there.

  • Sounds like a good plan Chealsie508…. still high compared to California where everything is totally higher in price... Our CERF exam last year was 58.00 for each bitch...

    But then our hips/elbows/thyroid just done Sunday was 385.00 for each... that did include the OFA fees and also the fact that is was with a mobile Vet on the Show Grounds and on a Sunday... and done "natural"... in the end I didn't have to pay for sedation so it works out to about the same price considering.

    When people think that "health testing" or just keep proper upkeep on any dog is a cheap proposition.. they are totally mistaken. The price of the pup to begin with is the cheapest.. when you think about it

Suggested Topics

  • Shadowing of the eyes

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Please post an update when you see the specialist.
  • Eye Problems

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • Blue eyes?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    19k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Of course required for artificial… reread and don't know where you got I didn't know that. I said: As for proving, if you are not using semen, you don't have to test generally. Pretty clear I know if you use semen (ie not live cover) you have to test. But you ALSO have to test when producing lots of litters. I saw no reason to get into the specifics there. But let me state it clearly so you don't argue more on item that has nothing to do with the issue.. If you use semen (ie not live cover) you have to do DNA. If you do live cover, generally you do NOT have to do DNA unless you 1. use more than one stud 2. the stud produces a certain number of litters (not looking up number) and a few other situations. And Pat, chill, really. I didn't say looks was the ONLY. My point, which I stated repeatedly, is that the African dogs also don't KNOW for sure if pure basenji.
  • Eyes

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    2k Views
    P
    As soon as I read the first post I thought of Sinbaje and her avatar. I hadn't realised Linda just how talented he is. Congratulations to Drew for his many great successes.
  • Dental issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    8k Views
    nodakerdebN
    Periodontal disease is a tough one to get on top of once it takes hold (in both humans and dogs) because the bacteria gets down in the pockets and it is very difficult to keep clean. People have better luck because they have the ability to floss daily, but that is very difficult with a dog – and believe me, I've tried. :D Periodontal disease is not the same as an auto-immune disease that dogs can get (lest I be accused of getting them confused). I believe the reason our furry companions, and especially the dry-mouth (non-slobbering types) often get it is because of a couple things in addition to not being able to floss. 1. They don't slobber so their mouths really don't get a good natural rinse, and 2. they are fed an unnatural diet. In the wild they would be crunching up bones which acts like a natural toothbrush/floss, and they wouldn't be eating cereal grains which are carbs on steroids turning to sugar once it hits the saliva. There are kibbles out there that do not contain grains which may help by keeping the sugars at bay in the mouth. Evo is one, Instinct is another. Feeding raw is a great alternative. I am also a big fan of the PetzLife product and think it works wonders to keep plaque at bay on the teeth, but not sure how well it works with the plague and bacteria already under the gumline. My rat terrier does not have periodontal disease. I feed him Evo and brush his teeth daily (with a three-sided toothbrush) with Petzlife and he has the teeth of a two year old which isn't bad considering he's almost 11. If his gut could handle it I'd feed him raw, but that has not bode well with him unfortunately. FWIW, in a past life I worked as a chairside assistant for a dentist so I do know a bit about teeth and periodontal disease. I came away from that experience realizing that if I were on a deserted island I'd rather have an endless supply of dental floss vs. a toothbrush. I would be more likely to keep my teeth with the first rather that the latter. Now if we could just figure out how to floss a dog's teeth. :)
  • Eye issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    If she's loosing hair then it sounds like it might be something more than just stress-of-an-intruder. The stray could have brought something nasty along. Maybe there's mites or something. I would take both to the vet.