@GriffinsMom, my girl Lady had a suspected brain tumour when she had a seizure at 13 years of age. My vet put her on Prednisone, and things improved. She was on and off the drug for the next few years until she really started to get worse at just short of 16 years old. My vet said that for some, Prednisone seems to shrink the tumour. Of course, it would depend on size and location. I don't want to give false hope, but you might inquire about it.
Time running out for Isis :(
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Yeah, Isis was in good con'd- considering she has fanconi. She had a sparkle in her eye… though we joke that the lights aren't on upstairs
Then, all of a sudden, rapid loss of weight, no desire to eat, "spazztic" behaviour, I think my husband said that she tried to bite him too (I don't remember).
I think we are going to try a little while longer with her food... so I'll post an update when there's news.
Writing on the forums has helped a lot in understanding fanconi, and to vent when things are little rough.
Best wishes with Jazz too
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We haven't tried it, but during our last visit the vet mentioned doing this and he said that it could extend her life for a while longer (like in the case with your Maggie).
But he said that with her behaviour and the rapid weight loss (he doesn't know she's lost a pound or two since the last visit) it's kinda prolonging what's going to happen soon. Something like, the final stages.
I don't know. The hubby and I talk about the situation, and trying to sort what's best for her vs what we want. I want Isis for as long as we can have her, but it's hard seeing what she is going through, knowing that she is on borrowed time.
I found with Maggii that it really helped her quality of life…. as with renal failure they are usually sick to their tummy... therefore they don't want to eat... it help her to eat better and hold her weight. Also Pepcid AC helps too, one a day... I felt as long as her quality of life was good then I would continue... when even with the fluids she was not eating ... then we knew it was time to let her go.
Is Isis still on the protocol?
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I found with Maggii that it really helped her quality of life…. as with renal failure they are usually sick to their tummy... therefore they don't want to eat... it help her to eat better and hold her weight. Also Pepcid AC helps too, one a day... I felt as long as her quality of life was good then I would continue... when even with the fluids she was not eating ... then we knew it was time to let her go.
Is Isis still on the protocol?
We give her Tums, 2 a day, along with her other pills. Yeah, we were doing the protocol right up until the weight loss, but now we are just trying to get her to eat anything. Because one day she likes her "princess dinner" (we joke) the the next day she refuses to touch it. It's really fraustrating seeing her so thin and refusing to eat! We can make Isis take her pills, but food? We don't know what to do sometimes. Her appetite had no bounds a few months ago, now she's lucky to have one.
My husband and I talk about her qaulity of life. She doesn't care to clean herself, she lays in her own mess, she's confused when we take her on walks… the hubby says "she's a shadow of the dog she once was" and it's taken me a long time to see what he means by that. I think it was easier for me to think she's fine, a little thin but fine. Acting weird, but she's a B... But today's walk had me in tears.
We're going to try to get more weight on her (though she looks like she lost weight since last week), to stabalize her. Def do an update on the whole issue within a week or 2.
Did Maggie perk up on the subQ?
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Maggii did perk up on the subQ and wanted to eat again…. but near the end... it didn't help much...
Sounds to me like you have done everything possible... and my heart goes out to you.... we have lost 3 since last May... and while it was to old age.. it is still never long enough...
The good news is there is now a test for Fanconi and there is never, ever a reason to have another affected Basenji born with this horrible affliction.... -
…. we have lost 3 since last May... and while it was to old age.. it is still never long enough...
The good news is there is now a test for Fanconi and there is never, ever a reason to have another affected Basenji born with this horrible affliction....yeah, i read your tribute on the RB thread. I'm sorry to hear that you lost the most recent 2 so close together. That's must have been a though week
My cat is now exhibiting some hair loss on her front limbs. She's 8 yrs old & healthy… so I am hoping it is just stress. We do what we can for our furr babies don't we?
And I agree, it's never long enough
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So sorry to hear that Isis isn't doing well. Loss of appetite is one of the first symptoms of an undetected UTI - is she on Clavamox or Baytril? Fanconi kidney walls can wall off an infection and it will not show up with urinanalysis, but damage is being done to the kidney all the same. Most of us ask the vet for a 3 week course of antibiotics any time the dog's attitude and behavior change, whether the test shows a UTI or not. Other symptoms to watch for - leaking or inability to 'hold it,' sometimes yelping or crying as with back pain, lethargy…
The sub Qs may help. They are not that hard to do on your own, but if you're like us, you feel guilty every time you have to poke her, even though you KNOW it's helping.
My thoughts and healing vibes coming your way.
Terry
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Awww - Im sorry to hear about Isis…. it is amazing the things we will do for our furbabies... my Tayda has fanconi and has always been a picky eater. Somehow now she is more picky than ever.... like you said, you can make them take the pills but how can you force them to eat a meal. so difficult.
good luck and hugs to you and isis...
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I don't know what to say other than we send our thoughts and prayers your way. Bless you and Isis.
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I'm so sorry. My heart aches for you.
But I'm also so grateful to all those good breeders and educators that fight so hard so stamp this condition out so that no one else will have to go through this.
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Sorry about Isis, We did suQ fluids with our 15 yr old basenji for renal issues. We did it till the vet said she thought it was time to stop . We got another 1 1/2 yrs with our guy
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I am so sorry for you and Isis. You will know when it is time…just go with your heart. You are in my thoughts.
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Sorry to hear about Isis - prayers that you have the continued strenghth to see this to the end.
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so sorry to hear this sad news for you & Isis. hugs & prayers to you all during a difficult time.
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Very sorry to hear about Isis. I hope she lets you know so your decision will be a bit easier in a difficult time.
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The sub-Q will help but I agree with Terry. YOu feel horrible when you poke them and then they learn you are going to poke them and want to get away from you. That makes it even harder because you only want to help.
Let us know how she is doing. hugs to your fur kid!
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It's interesting that your vet said 'dementia'. When Jessie was at the end of her life (fanconi) I thought she had a brain tumor also because of the way she acted. Looking back, and thinking about what your vet said I believe now she was suffering from dementia. There were times I thought she was seeing ghosts because she'd stare up at the ceiling with such purpose. Very weird. I still miss that little butt like no ones business. Isis will forever be in your heart.
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Miranda and I also have only good thoughts to send your way. We lost our American Eskimo Snowy prior to getting our Basenji. We were very attached to the Eski as we are to the Basenji. When your dog gets to the point where their health is seriously failing its a very difficult time for the owners and the dog. Since we all love our pets we certainly want them to live as long as possible, but it is a double edged sword. At what point do we know if we are doing the best for our pets. It is a hard decision that every pet owner is faced with sooner or later. Sometimes love is finding the ability to let go. We certainly did not want our Eski to suffer any more or live in possible pain. Of course it is a very hard decision and everyone's circumstances are different.
When Snowy stopped eating, became lathargic, and had trouble holding his water, I looked at Miranda and said "I think we need to do what is best for him." So we took Snowy to the Vet to have tests run and sought advice. Based on that advice we made the decision to let Snowy go because we certain did not want him to live in pain, hunger, or deteriorate where his personality totally disappeared. The hardest part for us, was making that decision and staying with our beloved pet during that time. In the end we know inside that we did the best for our pet. We know we did all we could to provide love, attention and the best quality of life for him and that of course is the most important thing you can do for your pet.
We are certain you are doing the same for yours as well.
Jason and Miranda
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Tanza, this is pedro. What are all the meds that they have to take??. And how much does it useually run for a month or even a yr. Of meds?.
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This was all posted in the Help ASAP thread.
Here is an article with that talks about the medications and costs.
http://basenjicompanions.org/health/fanconi/life.html
If you use the estimates from the article the medication is about $60/month. Blood gases are $100 per test which is done every 6 months so that would be another 16.67 a month if you are saving up for it. Making the monthly costs around $76.67 provided you don't end up with something like a UTI which can easily add another $100-$200 for the month.
Also the Fanconi Protocol has what all is required. You will need to know your dog's blood gas results to know what amounts of everything he will need.
http://basenjicompanions.org/health/images/Protocol2003.html
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My cat is now exhibiting some hair loss on her front limbs. She's 8 yrs old & healthy… so I am hoping it is just stress.
Kitty might be allergic to bug bites. I have one who is like that. Sumi will lose hair, but not seem to scratch much. Just go bald in spots. She has to be kept on flea prevention year-round. Otherwise she begins to look like she needs a full-body wig.
So sorry to hear about Isis. She will tell you what her wishes are. If she wants to continue the fight, help her….if she's too tired, she will communicate that to you. As difficult as this is, remember we will see all of them again when we join them on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
My thoughts are with you.
