One of my Basenjis is also diagnosed with early kidney disease. The vet prescribed Enalapril Maleate (generic for Vasotec). My vet allowed me to choose whatever prescription food I wanted to use. After some research I chose Blue Buffalo BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support. I looked into and tried a more holistic food, Dr. Harvey's - a dehydrated food, but Kushika couldn't manage to eat it without getting it all over the walls, kitchen floor, and herself so we went back to the kibble. I liked the Dr. Harvey food AND you can call to talk to Dr. Harvey, who asked me to send Kushika's lab results to him so he could make specific recommendations dependent on those results. Kushika came to live with us at almost 10 years old and was immediately diagnosed with kidney disease. At age 12+ she is still with us, going strong and looking better than when she arrived.
Not Interested In Eating His Food!
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@tanza There were five cases of HA in Veronica's earlier litters, Pongo of the Congo was alleged by VTW to be a carrier. Pickapepper of the Congo was a sufferer, as was Petal of the Congo but she lived to a great age. These were in the early 1950s.
@Mmasco I feel for you. There is nothing like not being with them when they are sick. But HA hasn't been around in Basenjis for many years. We have to hope it is not re-surfacing.
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@tanza / @Zande we got the news that they are leaning towards PK pyruvate kinase deficiency seeing as ultrasound and xray came up empty, bone marrow to make reticulocytes are normal BUT Rbc's not being made. Labs not showing hemolytic anemia. The breeder DID NOT test for PK leaving me either to dig into the entire family tree (which who knows accuracy in testing) or wait 1-2 weeks for the PK test to come back.
Not sure if there is anything you both know that will help sway me away from PK .... or if there is any experimental treatment you've heard about. I just don't know how to process this TBH. His blood transfusion seemed to stablize him w/ numbers back into the 30s for RBC counts.. He will likely come home tomorrow. -
It would be unusual but not impossible, not common in Basenjis but not unheard of, either. Apparently more common in Beagle, Pug, Cairn, and West Highland White. DNA testing can detect it, also whether the dog is a carrier, clear, or affected. I would think his breeder would want to know the status of his sire and dam. I am hoping they come up with something easier to manage or cure.
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@mmasco You can find the PK test results on OFA website. I don't include them in the on-line database, but if you have that open as well you can then check parents line by line as you will have their registration number in front of you.
Good luck and cuddles and tummy rubs to the little one when he is home.
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@mmasco - I put out a couple of feelers to other breeders, will let you know what I hear. You might want to message me directly [removed private email]
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@mmasco - I have looked up DNA testing on the OFA site and going back to early 1990's there have been NO afflicted (all clears) (rescessive gene like Fanconi) and while there have been a few testing in 2021 (2) and 2020/2019 again they are all clears. And honestly PK testing has not really been on the radar for Basenji Breeders for many, many years. I have someone checking into aquired PK as that is a possible. If you would please email me privately you can find my email on the web link for my website below. Hope that he is home and doing better.
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@tanza From the certificates and things I get in from breeders and owners who have used Zoogen (Russian laboratory) for testing for PRA and Fanconi - PK is also being tested for in many cases. But it is coming up clear.
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@elbrant No idea why. But it won't let me like your post. But I do.
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Just sent to vet tech friend.
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I'll just add this in case the testing doesnt give you answers.
Anorexia exits. Although nearly ALL cases of dogs who do not want food has an underlying medical cause.
But some dogs simply have anorexia. There are drugs that work very good for it..At one point they stopped making one type so we had so we had to switch. They increased Sayblees aggression. So from then on i handfed her.
