Skip to content

Heat cycles, the Basenji way

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I need to know about the Basenji heat cycle.

    As previously mentioned, "doodle" came to my home after she was spayed, I noted (April 20th) on another thread/topic that she seemed to be in season this year, and she has had a bloody vaginal discharge. It seems better, but she is still marking (every yard we pass). I thought that the Vet may have just removed the ovaries... but I want to make sure that this doesn't seem "abnormal" to any of our more experienced owners/breeders.

    Based on your observations/experience/knowledge, is 6 weeks of discharge unusual, or normal?

  • @elbrant
    From googling I see there is a chance she has "ovarian remnant syndrome", which apparently can happen weeks or years after the spay. "It occurs when a small amount of ovarian tissue remains inside your dog after spaying and starts to become functional." I would think this is something you might want to check out with your vet, especially because it could also be caused by other medical issues, including tumors. More info here .

  • You should talk to her breeders, they can tell you about the spay... it would be very, very not normal... it is NOT usual that this would happen with a regular spay and I am sure that it was just that. Since I know her breeders I doubt very seriously that it would not have been a complete spay done. What did they tell you? You first course is to contact her breeders. And have you taken her to the Vet? Should be a repo specialist Vet that would be able to evaluate this... and would most likely want to do an ultrasound. But again, your first course is to contact her breeders.

  • @eeeefarm, @tanza, Thank you. I thought maybe someone might have first hand experience with such a thing. I think I have a copy of the spay bill. I might be able to contact the Vet directly.

  • @elbrant - Did you contact her breeders? They would know best and not sure the Vet will be able to tell you anything without their approval. And have you taken her to the Vet, that really is not normal I would believe (NOT a Vet) that something else is going on.... and again contact the breeders/prior owners and also a Vet visit would be in order.

  • It is not normal, for sure. You should talk to the breeder - the vet who carried out the spay is unlikely to divulge anything to you without the breeder's permission - as others have already said. But having found out as much as you can - take your Basenji to your own vet with as much information as possible.

  • Thank you everyone, I'll let you know what happens...

  • Vet has decided "UTI" and doodle is on 2 weeks of antibiotics with probiotics (1 tsp ACV [Apple Cider Vinegar] in her water and plain [Greek] Yogurt) to help maintain her natural biomes.

Suggested Topics

  • Heat cycles

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    She's very young. It does take some bitches a couple of years (cycles) before they settle into a routine - which is another reason not to neuter them until everything has really settled down !) I wouldn't worry too much, just keep a close eye on her. She was born 'out of season' - but will probably revert to one proper season a year in time.
  • Heat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    D
    @tanza -- I know. They also don't typically have one in June, which is why I was asking about whether she had whelped last cycle. I don't think we have a lot to go on. Not being critical, but "my dog seems to be in heat for over a month" doesn't provide a lot of information and could mean a lot of different things.
  • Basenji Heat Tolerance?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    28
    0 Votes
    28 Posts
    11k Views
    renaultf1R
    @tanza: And for those of you with "elders" note that with age they do become more sensitive to heat…. while mine when younger would lay in the sun at 100 degrees... they don't now at 14+... also I find that they pant more when it is really hot That's good info…I forget about how the age makes a big difference with such things.
  • Heat cycle

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    18k Views
    tanzaT
    And many of them that have spring seasons are in a false season too. I had that happen with Mickii, many bitches will have a "puppy" season 4 to 6 months after whelping, Maggii did and Mickii followed her in, we tried to bred Mickii that spring and it was a false season. She came back in October and was bred.
  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    An update on Ben's condition. He had his teeth cleaned this morning and the vet had to remove several teeth. A large tooth in the back of the mouth had a cavity that went all the way to the root. He never lost his appetite during the whole ordeal or seemed to have any sensetivity of his mouth. I hope this is the end of the suffering he was going through. He was a rescue dog so we don't have the previous owners records as to dental care he had in the past. You can be sure he will be monitored from here on out for any sign of tooth decay or tarter build up. Thanks to everyone who replyed to my inquiry on Basenji health.
  • Behavior during heat cycle?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    QuercusQ
    Just a word about pyo….the ones that are the most deadly are called a 'closed pyometra'...meaning the infection is sealed in the uterus...nothing comes out..the dog just crashes. When their is fluid leaking you can catch it, and treat it. I think it is unlikely that Jazzy has a pyo, because her activity, and appetite are still relatively normal. A lot of bitches change a little during estrous...some get more crabby, some more clingy. Then when the added change of bringing in a boy, I would imagine she is just subdued :)