Random shouts of pain

[nobarkus]

@NerdyDogOwner:

Sadly I live in a small crap country, and options like animal acupuncture, or even masages are not to be found.

Anyways, I just got back from the vet and she couldn't find a thing wrong. She went all over him, checking his muscle movement, teeth, ears, eyes, joints etc.

Gizmo didn't make a sound, besides squirming around as if he was on fire.

BTW, Gizmo is only 16 weeks and he weighed in at 8.3 Kg! He is not fat or anything, just one "muscular guy" (to use the vets words), and has a very wide ribcage, and muscular legs with big paws (said the vet). Sure is gonna be exciting to see what kind of a man he is gonna grow up to be!

It's so hard when they can't figure out what's wrong him. You want to help Gizmo badly but can't. It's like weird sounds you hear when you drive, you take the car in and the sounds won't occur for the mechanic.

[AJs Human]

It's exciting watching them grow.

Question to the experts on the forum: Is it safe to apply Anbesol to puppies who are teething?

[EskiLovr]

I would hesitate to put anything like a topical anesthetic on a dog. If they don't feel the pain, they might injure themselves, or make it worse in some way. With the mouth, they might chew too aggressively and make wounds or something.

Frozen rope bones would be my best recommendation. Soak the bone in water, or low sodium chicken broth, freeze, then give to puppy!

[Zande]

At that age he is probably trying to outstretch himself and to explore - so if the vet says there is nothing wrong just be vigilant but don't panic.

The 8.3 kg WOULD worry me though. Firbi, who I had to the Vet yesterday cos he was sneezing blood and she wanted to admit him and knock him out to investigate, is 9 years old and 9.6 kilos.

(Firbi seems to have an abscess in the throat near the windpipe which we are treating with antibiotics but there is also a lump on the side of his face which may/may not be related).

spw

[Basenjimamma]

NerdyDogOwner.
I am happy to hear that she can't find anything wrong, he might just me sore in is muscles from exploring.
I wonder if dogs go through growing pains like we do?

Otis weighed 8.5 kg (18.9lbs) at 4 months so right along the same lines, he however now only weighs about 10.4 (23lbs) and is looking rather skinny, and he will be 10 mo. om wednesday next week.

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Fibi. I hope the antibiotics work..

[thunderbird8588]

Glad that little Gizmo is ok
Sally sorry to hear Firbi isn't well at the moment, hope those antibiotics sort him out.

[Zande]

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Firbi. I hope the antibiotics work..

Thanks - I phoned the Vet again just now cos I wanted to be sure the lump wasn't anything to do with the abscess, i.e. that they were totally different areas and the abscess wasn't located just behind the lump. His grandmother DID have a fast growing lump and a malignant growth behind it.

Janet says no - no connection. This morning I couldn't get him to eat his antibiotic pill - he kept spitting it out or avoiding it. So I cut pieces of cheese, nice strong cheese and started chucking them into the air for the pack to catch - ALL mine are self-taught this skill cos if something falls to the floor, someone else will get it. . .

Once I'd got them going with the tasty morsels, I chucked one in Firbi's direction and he snapped at it and swallowed it right down.

I think I've invented a new way to get pills down Basenjis but you DO have to have a pack of catchers !

spw

[Basenjimamma]

This morning I couldn't get him to eat his antibiotic pill - he kept spitting it out or avoiding it. So I cut pieces of cheese, nice strong cheese and started chucking them into the air for the pack to catch - ALL mine are self-taught this skill cos if something falls to the floor, someone else will get it. . .

Once I'd got them going with the tasty morsels, I chucked one in Firbi's direction and he snapped at it and swallowed it right down.

I think I've invented a new way to get pills down Basenjis but you DO have to have a pack of catchers !

Brilliant…

[NerdyDogOwner]

@Basenjimamma:

NerdyDogOwner.
I am happy to hear that she can't find anything wrong, he might just me sore in is muscles from exploring.
I wonder if dogs go through growing pains like we do?

Otis weighed 8.5 kg (18.9lbs) at 4 months so right along the same lines, he however now only weighs about 10.4 (23lbs) and is looking rather skinny, and he will be 10 mo. om wednesday next week.

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Fibi. I hope the antibiotics work..

I did ask about growing pains, she said that it's normally larger dogs that get these because they grow at a faster rate. Our B's don't have that far "up" to go. :p

However, I am thinking it could be something he is doing it to get my attention, since I always react and go to him…

At any rate, only time will tell. For now, I am more relaxed after the vet visit.

[Zande]

For now, I am more relaxed after the vet visit

That's very important. If you are relaxed, he will sense it and relax too. Much better for both of you.

spw

[snorky998]

@EskiLovr:

Frozen rope bones would be my best recommendation. Soak the bone in water, or low sodium chicken broth, freeze, then give to puppy!

Brilliant:D I'll pass this one on to all new pup owners I know. So simple and those rope bones wash up well in the machine.

Thanks Eski, this one makes me smack my head and say, 'why didn't I think of that?!' Cold for teething, broth if pup needs and incentive, and stringy/rope floss to clean the gum line so the permanents come in without plaque, therefore with less pain.

Great post.!!

[tanza]

@vickilb:

When my female, Bandit, was a pup she would somtimes cry out in the middle of the night. I think it was when she was stretching. She had a herniated belly button. I talked to my vet who agreed to spay her at 4 months, rather than wait till 6 weeks. She fixed the belly button at the same time and she never cried out again.

She never looked like she had anything wrong but the breeder's vet had diagnosed her as a baby.

Maybe it's something as "simple" as that?

Bandit never seemed to be in real pain or discomfort either.

Diagnosed what as a baby? Hernia? Umbilical Herina's are very, very common in our breed, over 75% have them, very rarely do they cause a problem and are usually repaired during a spay.

[Rita Jean]

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???

Rita Jean

[NerdyDogOwner]

@Rita:

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???

Rita Jean

Because it's common for a Basenji bitch to "snap" them out when giving birth. This is at least what my breeder told me. Gizmo has one, as did all his brothers.

She said it's because B's are impatient.

If that is true or not I don't know, maybe they just don't like the discomfort of giving birth. Could even be an instinct they have for the mother to give birth as fast as possible for safety reasons.

[Zande]

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???

It probably has no bearing but if you can't get there and cut the cord - fast - Mom will put a paw firmly in the pup's tum, grab the cord in her mouth and WRENCH.

However, in my not unlimited experience, those are the worst umbilical hernias. Chezz had a habit of dropping pups - splat- onto the pavement outside the back door when she went out to pee. I well remember carrying Trouble back indoors, still attached when Chezz decided to take a hand before I could grab the utensils. Trouble has a huge fatty lump but which makes absolutely no difference to her.

We've never had one fixed -

spw