Eye issue
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Pat, according to the opthamoligists his exact words were, the basenji is one of the breeds more prone to corneal dystrophy…. I asked of it was genetic and he said it could be but there really isn't a definitive answer. In Oakleys case he didn't think it was but he did say it starts showing up around his age (16months), if so he would have classified it as corneal degeneration.
He didn't get a CERF exam but can I still submit the information to the database? They did the same tests as te CERF so I bet I could get the dr. to write up a CERF if I have to... -
It is really important that people do the official CERF exam because that is how we get our statistics about eye anomalies. The CERF data we have does not support your opthamologist's claim that corneal dystrophy is something basenjis are prone to, with only 2.6% of exams showing corneal dystrophy. If he is seeing dogs with this but because they are not having CERF exams the data is submitted then there is no way for the fancy to know it is an issue.
From the BCOA Health Pages:
Corneal DystrophyEpithelial/stromal corneal dsytrophy occurs occasionally in about 2.6% of Basenjis with CERF exams (using 2006 statistics.) This is a condition where the cornea becomes clouded. It is believed to have a hereditary component, but does not normally compromise vision.
For the Owner -
I'm so glad to hear that Oakley is okay and that his vision is not impacted! I don't know much about corneal dystrophy, but it sounds like it won't create a problem for him.
Ironically, I found all vet care cheaper in CA. Office visits, tests, x-rays are all more expensive in TN than in CA. There were so many vets in LA that the prices were more competitive. Spencer's blood tests and gases are twice as high here, and I can only get the blood gases done at UT. At least it isn't far!
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Lisa, I'll have to call on Monday to see if he can write up the CERF because he did all the same tests during the exam, no PPM just the corneal dystrophy in the left eye. Hopefully they'll just write it up, charge me of necessary but i hope they don't need to see him again since they just saw him Friday…It's a drive, plus my schedule doesn't necessarily match the hours of the clinic but I do want the results posted. It may just be that opthamoligists sees a higher incidence in the patients he sees, not sure. No matter what, I'm jut happy it's diagnosed, its manageable and most thankful it won't impair his vision.
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Our ophthalmologist, Dr. Wolf, relayed to us that he was at a conference and there was a big discussion about 4 breeds of dogs who were very slow to heal. I can't remember the others, but one of the 4 was the basenji. Nicky had a deep pitted abrasion/injury that took about 4 months to heal, required 2 debridements, but eventually healed perfectly. A year later she had another smaller abrasion, that is when he told us about the discussion at the conference. No one knew why those particular breeds eyes healed slowly, all agreed that quality of the final healing was not impacted, just the time it took to get there!
I found that very interesting, another unique quality of our breed.
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That's probably why it takes so long for the fur to heal back when they get scratched an the scab comes off, I always notice on Oakley for at least a month or two, never happened with my other dogs ( although they had hair not fur)
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So the last few days since the doctors I've been contemplating whether I should be switching Oakley to a low fat diet. In the research I've been doing it seems that many say that you should lower the fat/cholesterol but when I asked the opthamoligists at the appointment if I should consider changing foods (currently feed Fromms) he said it wasn't necessary. Id like to get opinions from those who know about corneal dystrophy or those who have dogs with it. Currently Oakley gets a cup and a half total a day in 2 feedings but the last two month I've been going him a bully stick a day as well from best bullysticks.com
Thanks -
Personally, I would just watch it and avoid higher cholesterol treats like beef liver. That was the recommendation of the specialist I went to, and she has a lot of experience with basenjis (not that it is a basenji thing, necessarily). I really didn't change the food too much and it didn't seem to get worse over the several years that Nemo had it. He had the deposits on both eyes right in the center of the cornea. It never seemed to be an issue for him.
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Anyone else have any advice on switching Oakleys food to a lower fat?? Still really thinking about it…he gets a mix of Fromms with a current protein %33 and fat content of 21%.... It's listed as a 5star food but also as having higher than average protein and fat content...that coupled with his one bully stick a day (my only moment of peace!) and treats..I feel like I may be tipping the scales with the fat....I could but down the bully sticks to one every other day and maybe look for low fat treats ( currently gets Fromms cookies,Dry cCloud Star sweet potato buddy biscuits and cloud star soft and chewy cookies...I vary his treats for different activities)
Thanks nemo...I'll keep that in mind during my research! -
He has had all of them…currently he gets a mix of the "beef a la veg", "salmon tunalini" and chicken...last time he had the surf and turf, beef and I think pork?? I try to go grain reduced...I wanted grain free but his stools are so much better with a little grain so that's why I mix the grain free Fromms with grain reduced Fromms...
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I have had so many people not guess the age of my 11y/o and 9y/o mix breeds that have been on Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul for the past 3 years. Their teeth actually got whiter with it, and no gastro problems. I just don't have a bad thing to say about it. Uzie was on Kibbles and Bits when I adopted him and the transition to Chix Soup was non-incidental-his coat got glossy and he 'works for food' all the time….. The cost is comparable to any other quality kibble and no quar gum etc.....the company is ranked in the top 20 per Whole Dog Journal too. You may have to google the company and find a local distributor. (they interview the companies, where and how the ingredients are acquired and how long the bag stays in the shipping room etc...)
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Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul has a recall on right now:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-expanded/
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Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul has a recall on right now:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-expanded/
Thanks for the info renaultf1! I like how we all look out for one another! But I was aware of it, and luckily, I feed the senior and to Uzie the adult maintenance!! whew!!!
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Update: since Oakley was diagnosed with corneal dystrophy in his left eye back in march he has been lucky enough to not yet develop it in his right eye. I look at them everyday. What's been concerning is that he has had three daily incidents of corneal erosion due to the dystrophy. At first I didn't know what was causing the episodes, he'd just wake up with a swollen squinty eye. At first I thought it was allergies or an allergic reaction so I gave a Benedryl and a warm compress. The second time, same symptoms but I treated with saline drops and a warm compress. Well, just this past week he again awoke with a "stye eye" as I call it; so having had about enough of wondering I pulled out his paperwork from the Opthamologist and there it stated that corneal dystrophy can cause crystal erosions from the eye periodically drying out which causes irritation and discomfort. I called the Opthamologist who recommends I treat Oakley with lacri lube everyday for life to prevent the erosions, which if they kept happening could do damage to his sight. All in all, I'm glad to know what those events were, and to have a treatment plan ( albeit, not easy!)…and I hope that his corneal dystrophy doesn't cause him or I anymore issues on the future but I wanted to post about it in case anyone in the future needs to find info on it.
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Thank you for this update.
Sounds like you are doing an excellent job.
What are you now using for the daily lubricant?I have a MinPin that has been on a daily regiment (twice a day) of Tacrolimus for ~8 years and will be for the remainder of her life. I swear by the stuff.
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For daily lubricant he is using brand name Lacri Lube..it's either systene or refresh…I can't remember. It's a new process so I'm still tying to work the kinks out to get it to go smooth...currently I'm bribing him with candy ( his favorite). The double whammy will come on the nights I have to dremel his nails AND put the gel in his eyes (drops would be so much easier!!)
Oh well, he's my baby so if he needs it, he get it....and even when he doesn't need stuff, he STILL gets it! -
Your right Patty, if daily lubricant is the answer to reducing symptoms then it's totally worth it. And I also try to lower fats to help prevent it from his other eye. While many people hear of PRA or PPM when talking about basenji's I really didn't know anything about corneal dystrophy or even te difference between corneal degeneration vs. corneal dystrophy. I hope that anyone that had a basenji and is questioning something they saw in their dogs eyes that it could be what Oakley has. So I hope I've included everything from initial physical characteristics to doctors to treatment, prognosis and treatments. I'd be happy to talk to anyone wondering about more. It's important to remember that whole corneal dystrophy is a good prognosis that if symptoms of erosion pop up and are left untreated that it can affect vision long term. Hope this helps someone
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For the breeders out there: is it possible for corneal dystrophy to disappear??? Oakleys had that hazy spot in his eye since a pup, he was diagnosed by an opthamoligist and since his "outbreak" I've changed his diet and he gets daily lubricant drops…but the past two months that spot is gone...I don't know how to explain it, Id know that spot on his eye with my eyes closed and it's not there... Any explanations??
