/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$. The extra money practically pays for his frontline ( this years Mosquitos and ticks are AWFUL since we didn't get a deep freeze this winter). Another plus is I was able to get an appointment this Friday which so happens to be on my day off. Appreciate the advice Sonnyboy, I'll throw dr. Abram a hello from Sonny! Definitely more excited to get a personal feel where I might like the practice enough to continue maintenance eye exams there.
Sounds like a good plan Chealsie508…. still high compared to California where everything is totally higher in price... Our CERF exam last year was 58.00 for each bitch...
But then our hips/elbows/thyroid just done Sunday was 385.00 for each... that did include the OFA fees and also the fact that is was with a mobile Vet on the Show Grounds and on a Sunday... and done "natural"... in the end I didn't have to pay for sedation so it works out to about the same price considering.
When people think that "health testing" or just keep proper upkeep on any dog is a cheap proposition.. they are totally mistaken. The price of the pup to begin with is the cheapest.. when you think about it
Oof, even at 58$ I'm sure we still make out better by average $/ regular maintenance fees…I guess I don't bat an eye at the cost because "it is what it is", for me it's like gas, no use in ranting about it since it won't change the fact that it needs to get done.! Glad I can get it done Friday so we can go for a long jog beforehand go wear him out a little more.
And so this is what forums should be about. Helping each other help our dogs. Now we just have to wait to hear how it goes!
I hear that….
