Worried about senji the basenji

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • A

    Hi,
    I have a basenji that is about 13 years old and we think he is on his way out. His condition actually came on very suddenly. One week he was running across the fields and the next he was stubbling around bumping into things. It is almost as if he cannot see, he is literally staggering around, as if he cannot control his direction. He also keeps balancing himself into corners, putting his head against walls and things, like he is trying to stablize himself. My concern is that he is in pain, and suffering. If anyone has experienced a similar condition or situation in an older basenji, please tell me a bit about your experience. I am not sure if he is just an old dog trying to leave this world, or if he needs medication or something. Thanks…:confused:

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  • BDawgB

    Awww, that is very sad. Have you taken him to the vet? :(

    Miles & Lexi's Mom

    www.stelladot.com/barrick

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  • QuercusQ

    @abracabubble:

    Hi,
    I have a basenji that is about 13 years old and we think he is on his way out. His condition actually came on very suddenly. One week he was running across the fields and the next he was stubbling around bumping into things. It is almost as if he cannot see, he is literally staggering around, as if he cannot control his direction. He also keeps balancing himself into corners, putting his head against walls and things, like he is trying to stablize himself. My concern is that he is in pain, and suffering. If anyone has experienced a similar condition or situation in an older basenji, please tell me a bit about your experience. I am not sure if he is just an old dog trying to leave this world, or if he needs medication or something. Thanks…:confused:

    There is a medication out there for dogs with these symptoms. You should make a call to your vet :) Good luck!

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • BasenjiDivaB

    I wonder if your basenji might have something as simple as an inner ear problem that could be affecting his equilibrium? I hope the vet finds something medically manageable.

    Pat

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    I would definitely take him to the vet. Sudden onset of symptoms that noticeable I don't think is normal old age. And 13 isn't really that old for a B. My Max was in great health and active up until his 15th year. His old age symptoms came on slowly over a period of about 1-1/2 yrs.

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  • red and white fureverR

    Considering your b's age, my first thought would be vestibular disease. I'd definitely give your vet a call and get your b in for a visit and diagnosis.
    Here's a website on vestibular disease and some causes:
    http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/vestibular.html
    Good luck and I hope your furkid is feeling better soon.

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  • tanzaT

    @abracabubble:

    Hi,
    I have a basenji that is about 13 years old and we think he is on his way out. His condition actually came on very suddenly. One week he was running across the fields and the next he was stubbling around bumping into things. It is almost as if he cannot see, he is literally staggering around, as if he cannot control his direction. He also keeps balancing himself into corners, putting his head against walls and things, like he is trying to stablize himself. My concern is that he is in pain, and suffering. If anyone has experienced a similar condition or situation in an older basenji, please tell me a bit about your experience. I am not sure if he is just an old dog trying to leave this world, or if he needs medication or something. Thanks…:confused:

    Please take him to the Vet ASAP…. there is lots they can help with... And I have two 16 yr olds that have trouble with balance.. not as bad as you describe, but they manage quite well....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • J

    I have no new advice, everyone here has great info. Please keep us updated on his condition. We will keep you in our thoughts!!

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  • CraighC

    Both of my Basenjis had occurances of Vestibular Syndrome at about 13 years of age. Alex actually had a 2nd occurance about 8 months after the first. Rapid eye movement and the inability to walk were the first symptoms noticed. Cassi made a complete recovery after about a week. Alex completely recovered after the first episode, but has had some lingering effects after the second.

    Bella (Tri female), Alex (Red/White boy RIP), Cassi (Red/White girl RIP)

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  • A

    Age of your basenji?

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    DebraDownSouthD
    Yeah you told me about that before and I'm clueless, but I'll try it if I need to, lol. could be the noise of occasional thump, could be they can hear it even tho we can't. My chow would be drooling buckets before we got a mile away. I just had to keep towels down and take off and bag along the trip. But I took her for a 7 hr trip to atlanta and she threw up and threw up, then stopped. Never threw up again. :( on your back. I had been getting radiofrequency ablations in the US, and they really helped. But doctors here will only do them once or twice. I have had at least 6 on one side, 3 on the other. :( But it's miraculous pain relief when it is done right. Maybe your dog acupuncturists knows of a human one they'd recommend?
  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

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    P
    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
  • MalidandraM

    Basenji in Alaska

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    wizardW
    I saw that you have a sewing machine – its not hard to make your own coat. I made one for my previous beasties with fleece and wool. I made it with a high colar (for the backside of the neck) and an indentation for the tail and a big belly and chest band (I used snaps at first but then switched to velcro). It worked pretty good for our single digit temps (and the occasional below zero walks to the corner). My current beastie refuses to go out the door with a coat on, however. When the outside temps are below 10F she won't stay outside any longer than necessary to go potty - the squirrels can run around all they want then! With respect to booties, mine will at least tolerate them when we go for walks but it's more for the road salt. However, the good pair I bought this year leak somehow (maybe through the stitching?) and she doesn't like them with they get wet inside. Nevertheless be sure you get the best you can find.
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    Itching Basenji!

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    It's most likely a yeast infection. They get it in the ears quite often. Buddy has a yeast infection right now on his stomach.
  • JannekeJ

    Basenjis are popular..

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    JannekeJ
    @ibi_n_sane: the ears of the basenji of the pictures you show look like their is really something wrong, but it is not right to think that a basenji with a bit thin fur on his ears also has a condition/ disease that causes this. Of course, this dog is diagnosed with pattern baldness. And no, you can't say that every basenji/dog with less fur on the ears has this condition. Like Tanza said: it could be flies, or maybe cold, malnutrition.. I do think that Tillo's bald blackish ear rims are more than just 'loosing hair because it's winter/spring/summer..' And I would love to know what's causing it. That's why I wanted to ask it at the University and that's why I was suprised to see the B-ears on the screen and to hear about this 'pattern baldness' :)
  • T

    Sneezy Basenji

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    J
    Joey sneezes a lot, but I don't think he has allergies. I think it is all the dust in our house. I hate to clean!! :D