Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. I think our B is sick

I think our B is sick

Basenji Health Issues & Questions

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    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
  • N

    Sick puppy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    If you don't trust the vets you are seeing, please get her to a university vet for a second opinion. Have you talked to any of the other owners of the litter, or is she a rescue? When kennel cough is really bad, it can take months to clear up and the cough go away. She could also have allergies affecting her at night.. where does she sleep? Can you change where she sleeps to see if it's better?
  • G

    Do you think this dog is inbread?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    8k Views
    misspodhradskyM
    @giza1: Heh, heh, inbread/purebread is a pet peeve of mine as well. That, and SPADE. It's not really my dog, I don't have inbread dogs, I got it from my genetics list (when I saw the title I thought that these people shouldn't be making that mistake). Go ahead, use it. Can you pull it off the forum or do I have to email it to you? HAHAHAHA I thought the exact same thing. I was like…WTF! People should not own dogs if they dont know how to spell things. lol SPADE is on my "list" And "inbread" and "purebread" I dont really like when you say "purebreed" either, to me its purebred. but maybe i am wrong on that, thats just how i am. hate it! lol but thats so funny tho! THANKS for sharing! super cute!
  • etzbsederE

    Sick B

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    4k Views
    etzbsederE
    Yay, there doesn't seem to be a need for the vet. Today was good and tomorrow will be better. Medjai started the day with a tiny bit of brown rice and the turkey bits picked out of the rice. Then he had some just plain beef also cooked plain and then later yet ate some of his kibble. He also had a only really soft poop. I never thought it would be so good to see him poop. He should be just fine, although I still have no idea what was wrong.
  • luzmery928L

    Am I a hypocondract B owner?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    7k Views
    luzmery928L
    Yeah I can't believe he's allergic to chicken.
  • E

    Bathing your B

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    DukeD
    Gosh - Hope the vet helps Senji feel better. Duke gets a bath whenever he gets dirty - in summer, once a month. He's 1 yr. old. Right now, being winter - he doesn't get dirty because the ground is frozen. I don't know what would be a normal bath schedule for Basenjis. Sending a big wish to Senji for healing health.