Skip to content

Health Vent

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I just got off the phone with our vet, and while I feel good about our ultimate decision, I'm still kind of confused.:confused:

    Cooper's thyroid levels came back normal. My vet spoke to two other vets, an endocrinologist and an allergy specialist, in trying to interpret the results and determine the plan of action. The endocrinologist (an MSU vet!) had the audacity to tell my vet that basenjis are no more prone to thyroid problems than other breeds, and that their levels are not normally higher than other breeds!!! And the allergist suggested that we do food trials, even though we have done that and the blood tests, and have come up with NO positive food allergies. And they both suggested a million other things we do, like using air cleaners, vacuuming often, keeping his food in airtight storage, etc.

    So I told our vet that I wasn't convinced that Cooper does not have a thyroid problem. The treatment is reversible and cheap. We should see results quickly if that is the issue. So we're starting meds tomorrow!!!

    I'm glad that my vet is willing to take my gut feelings and personal research in consideration. And while I'm glad she sought assistance from her colleagues, I'm dissapointed in their essential dismissal of our problems. I have a nearly hairless basenji who is very prone to skin infections and welts. Something has to be done!!!:eek:

  • I googled canine hair loss and I got one other disease you should see if your vet checked for especially since another Forum member just had a dog recently diagnosed with Diabetes. Hair loss can be a symptom of canine diabetes and if the other tests are coming back normal, have they checked to make sure there is not elevated blood glucose?

  • You do sound frustrated, if you are still feeling unsatisfied you could contact Dr Jean Dodds, she has done wonders for helping dogs with thyroids disorders.

    Here is a website that has contact info, and how to send in samples if you want
    [removed ad link]

  • @WBL:

    You do sound frustrated, if you are still feeling unsatisfied you could contact Dr Jean Dodds, she has done wonders for helping dogs with thyroids disorders.

    Here is a website that has contact info, and how to send in samples if you want
    [removed ad link]

    If you have the results (full panel print out and you should be able to get that from your Vet) you can just send that to Dr. Dodd's, she will read the results and give you a recommendation… Don't really think that she is all that much better then others, however she does see many B Thyroid results.
    I have sent her results from MSU and she agreed there was no need for supplements at that time.

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy Health Issues?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    1k Views
    tanzaT
    Nope.... not in my opinion....not atypical. especially if these pups come for BYB or Millers.... That said, Giardia is not uncommon nor is a pup with a UTI.... In regards to Giardia, I wonder if these pups shown symptoms when still with the breeder?
  • Health insurance?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    KipawaK
    I plan on putting some money into a savings account monthly, about $75. All the fine print scares me, and I don't want the hassles if something I thought was covered is not.
  • Health Tests

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    lvossL
    The fanconi test needs to be ordered from the OFA website, https://secure.offa.org/cart.html Have you talked to Nilo's breeder about health testing. Without pedigree information his tests alone don't provide a very complete picture since disorders like PRA are late onset.
  • Plans for Health Check-up

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    4k Views
    NemoN
    He is rated OFA Normal, everything is in range other than the Free T3 and Total T3 values which are both low. And amazingly, Dr Dodd has already responsed to my email. She said those low values are usually an indication of "some non-thyroidal issues" but everything else looked good (she even provided the normal sighthound ranges for all of the tests). So, I guess I'll have to figure out what "some non-thyroidal issues" may entail and if it's something I need to address. I guess I'll put a separate post about that.
  • Health query Advice Needed

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    @sharronhurlbut: Do let us know how your b does. Fingers crossed it will resolve itself soon. Dear Sharron, Thank you very much. Please see my response posted today. Best regards, Jeff
  • 0 Votes
    34 Posts
    14k Views
    bellabasenjiB
    http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/viewers/uccushings.htm Viewer Viewpoint - Cushing's Disease in the dog