Skip to content

Thyroid issues.

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I took my basenji to a vet opthamologist who did several tests. The HORNERS SYNDROME is caused by unknown reasons or thyroid shortage. I am choosing not to have more expensive tests and to put her on synthroid but try to treat her with diet and supplements. My sister recommended coconut oil and kelp. Sounds reasonable. Wondering if there are other things I can try. Iodine drops? She is not uncomfortable with the third eyelid issue and I just can't see going through all the tests they offered to do. The doctor was wonderful and very understanding of my position. Thanjs fir your help.

  • @Abaihya said in Thyroid issues.:

    I took my basenji to a vet opthamologist who did several tests. The HORNERS SYNDROME is caused by unknown reasons or thyroid shortage. I am choosing not to have more expensive tests and to put her on synthroid but try to treat her with diet and supplements. My sister recommended coconut oil and kelp. Sounds reasonable. Wondering if there are other things I can try. Iodine drops? She is not uncomfortable with the third eyelid issue and I just can't see going through all the tests they offered to do. The doctor was wonderful and very understanding of my position. Thanjs fir your help.

    Have you had the thyroid tested? Before treating, I would suggest that a full thyroid panel is done.... I would not just "home treat" as you could make it worse... Thyroid panel is just a blood test.

  • Thanks for you input. She has several observable low thyroid symptoms, skin turning dark, heat seeking, shedding. The vet wanted $500 for the blood test and a chest x-ray, continously monitoring if they put her on synthroid. This just isn't a possibility. That's why I want to try a natural remedy first. I sure don't want to make anything worse for her. Just need to try something.

  • Why would you need a chest x-ray? A blood test for thyroid, full panel, is not very expensive (I get mine done for well under $100!).

    Natural remedies for thyroid can be dangerous or simply totally ineffective. Thyroid medicine is CHEAP. Please, get a thyroid panel run and the right Rx.

  • @Abaihya think you need a new Vet, no way should the Thyroid blood test be that price.... They draw the blood and it is sent out....

Suggested Topics

  • Age issues or behavioral issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    @Patty: Personally I would take her to the vet to get her checked out for bowel or urinary infections. If she is losing sight and hearing she may be frightened. It sounds as though you need to step back a pace to calm your reactions. I can appreciate that you are getting fed up with all the work but she is an old dog. My present oldie (15) has taken to peeing (and pooing) indoors at times but I know I need to put her outside more often as she doesn't have the control she once had. She has also become blind and is certainly more aggressive with the others because of that. Any way first things first and do take her to the vet, please. Let us know how you get on. I have to agree with everything Patty wrote. Changing behavior ALWAYS needs a vet check. Increase aggresssion can be due to thyroid issues, pain, tick-born diseases, constant hunger (due to other things), etc. You didn't say in your post if you'd recently seen a vet and discussed her new issues. My oldest (16 in December) has failing kidneys (nonFanconi) and does need to pee more often. So, I put pee pads down in the house in his favorite pee spots. He's usually pretty good about that, but he does still pee in other spots if I'm not watching him carefully or if he gets a bit aggitated about the sitting arrangements. Would your pup stay in an exercise pen? That would give her a little more room than a crate.
  • Issues with legs

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    D
    How old is your dog? I would take her to a specialty clinic or university clinic that would have both a neurologist and an orthopedist. My 1 year old deaf rescue girl who is a herding/spitz mix has shuffling feet, tremors, and other problems. She was seen first by the neurologist and they suggested x-rays and more testing. My regular vet did take x-rays of the neck, back and hips. I took her to an orthopedist to review the x-rays. Since she was a stray they do not know what caused the problem but it was suggested distemper or perhaps another infectious disease. I just took her to an opthalmologist and her eyes are good but she does have sensitivity to light. Distemper almost always causes eye problems. The specialists are suggesting an MRI of the back, neck and a spinal tap for her. If your dog was adopted as a puppy or an older pup, I would check with the Humane Society to see if she may have had distemper or some other disease. Did she have an accident where she might have injured her back or neck? You might want to look into getting a doggy wheelchair since she has good movement in her front legs. I am sorry for the problems your girl is having and I hope you find out what is causing it. Jennifer
  • Kidney Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    You know, at his age (and in my opinion) any elder dog, the goal is to get them to eat and keep them eating… so I don't stress out about kcal's too much particularly since I use Vit Supplements.
  • Issue?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    1k Views
    P
    This could possibly be a minor epileptic attack. I have seen a video of many forms of these attacks (no basenjis) many of them very different and this was an example. A canine neurologist could confirm.
  • Thyroid Testing…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    Rita JeanR
    That is really good news from Dr. Dobbs. I hope the cream and med's help and soon. Rita Jean
  • Eye issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    If she's loosing hair then it sounds like it might be something more than just stress-of-an-intruder. The stray could have brought something nasty along. Maybe there's mites or something. I would take both to the vet.