Basenji puppy with Low Albumin

[lisalindsley1]

I just adopted a 9 week old basenji and she is experiencing diarrhea for 8 days. They have ruled out heart worms and parasites. After bloodwork vet is now thinking liver issues. Anyone have issues like this in such a young dog?

[Dagodingo]

@lisalindsley1 What does your vet think is wrong with the liver? First person I would ask is the breeder. Did the breeder tell you which food to feed? They should know of any issues in the bloodlines. Or did you adopt a rescue?

[lisalindsley1]

The breeder has no idea. She was actually very upset when I gave her this news and even offered to pay for a specialist. Her general vet has no idea other than the results show poor liver function. She suspects something genetic but again she is speculating. We’re heading to specialist tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone had encountered anything like this. We re hoping for the best.

[DonC]

You mention that you "adopted" a nine week old. What's the story on this? Poor nutrition can cause low albumin levels, as can infections, and low albumin levels are associated with diarrhea. For a puppy that's where I could go first. Think of the low albumin level as the cause of the diarrhea, not the other way around.

In a Basenji I'd probably think kidney before liver but that's probably just because of Fanconi. And depending on the history I'd probably not go to either place first.

I may have seen this but I can't remember. You can inject albumin and usually the right diet can help considerably.

[Haslouer]

Did you rule out Parvo?
My adult basenji had severe diarrhea for almost a week. By the time the vet was able to see him the diarrhea stopped and the vet could find nothing wrong with him. Best of luck to you and the pup.

[Dagodingo]

@lisalindsley1 Presuming it’s a reputable breeder, you should have health records, OFA, eyes and Fanconi? If it’s a reputable breeder then you may just be unlucky that the pup has a problem. Alternatively if it’s not a reputable breeder, then it may be a nutritional deficiency. I don’t remember reading a similar case but others might know. Your vet is the first line of info, maybe a main vet hospital like Cornell here in NY would help. Given 9 weeks old, Parvovirus or malnutrition would seem more likely other than something genetic, but I am not a vet.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes in case anyone else has something similar in the future.

https://dogtime.com/dog-health/56527-low-blood-albumin-dogs-symptoms-causes-treatments

Here are several possible causes for a drop in blood albumin levels in dogs:

Malnutrition
Malabsorption of nutrients
Heavy bleeding
Oozing sores on the skin
Severe burns
Protein losing enteropathy (cause by parasites, gastritis, colitis, and other conditions)
Parvovirus
Liver disease
Renal (kidney) disease
Pancreatitis
Peritonitis
Fluid in the abdomen
Lymphoma
Sepsis
Immune-mediated diseases
Fungal infection
Amyloidosis
Lymphangiectasia
Inflammatory bowel disease

[joan duszka]

I am assuming vet,has,checked,for parvo. But besides that who sold you a 9 week old puppy. This little creature is vulnerable to many many problems, physical and mental. Probably doesn't even know it is a dog yet. Ohhhh i get so perturbed ....who is the breeder, have you spoken to them. Continue to post . Someone is bound to know something about this symptom.

[Zande]

Have you tested for giardia ? The symptoms, age of the pup and apparent lack of positive answers to tests, could suggest it

[lisalindsley1]

Thanks Everyone
Dog had tested negative for giardia initially but second fecal test was positive. She is now eating again, has energy and no diarrhea. We had to go to a specialist as intestines were very inflamed. Lack of appetite; chronic diarrhea ie malnutrition caused all of the blood issues. It’s finally under control. B12 shots weekly and a follow up fecal exam are next on the list to keep our girl on the mend.

[tanza]

@lisalindsley1 said in Basenji puppy with Low Albumin:

Thanks Everyone
Dog had tested negative for giardia initially but second fecal test was positive. She is now eating again, has energy and no diarrhea. We had to go to a specialist as intestines were very inflamed. Lack of appetite; chronic diarrhea ie malnutrition caused all of the blood issues. It’s finally under control. B12 shots weekly and a follow up fecal exam are next on the list to keep our girl on the mend.

Glad to hear that a cause was discovered.... did you discuss this with her breeder? I hope that her breeder will assist with the Vet costs.... as she would have had this at the time that you took her home.... case in point, many years ago my very first litter I bred came down with Kennel Cough when taken to the vet for their first exams and shots... instead of placing them at 10wks, my normal time, I kept them until they were 14 weeks to make sure they were over it... also told new owners about the issue and gave them vet reports to take to their own vets.

[lisalindsley1]

Yes her breeder was great and covered vet costs. She is doing much better. She also checked all remaining puppies and notified the others who had bought from the litter