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Basenji without spunk - very sick, pls read

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Thanks for the info! Great pics, what a doll. Like my boy, you can't tell to look when the B's are even sick. It's their wonderful nature shining through.

  • Thanks for sharing all your info about Beta, what a gorgeous face! I can see why you would compare other females to her. Thanks too for the insight on choosing a male. I wonder how Cesar would react to an adult male. I know Joey has hated other male dogs in the house or even other adult dogs. We did have a female pup, Havanese, here once and after the "introductions", they played like crazy together. It was a blast to watch!

  • When I first aquired Caesar, he lived with my husband and myself in a townhome where he was an indoor dog. We took him to the dog park every weekend and he has become extremely socialized and well behaved with interaction with children, cats, and other dogs. He has never shown any interest in territory at our house when other dogs come in to visit.

    Beta, she was very territorial…

    If you have an opportunity to get to a dog park with another basenji, do it. It is amazing to see the similarities that you originally think are unique...like the stand off ish nature with strangers, or the crazy running, or the snarfy girls.

    I loved my snarfy girl even when I didnt know it was okay for her to be snarfy. Once I was around other basenji females, I realized that is just how they talk when greeting. LOL

    Two boys should be fun.

    I am a little scared about it all. Silly right? Caesar has been extremely depressed, so I am sure it is the right thing to do, but I am very anxious about it all.

    Waiting 2 more weeks doesnt help either!

  • Here is a pic of the little boy…
    attachment_p_6598_0_lkq32hda89.jpg

  • @Mantis:

    Here is a pic of the little boy…

    Good luck to you Mantis, he's a cutie…....you deserve a Baby B;)

  • Good luck Betsey..I'm sure that all that you did for Beta will help many families if they ever encounter anything like this. Beta's life has supreme purpose now…her little spirit will always be remembered in Vet Medicine & perhaps as a case study forever.

    I have no doubt that you & Ceasar will provide a loving & caring home for this new little guy. Lot of ((HUGS)) and luck to all of you!

  • Aaaaawwwh! What an adorable little fella! I do have to get Joey to the park. I left out one piece of info regarding his nature with other adult dogs…he wasn't neutered at the time. He is now and I will be curious to see if he remains terrritorial in the house. He is fine outside with other dogs. He is always good with kids and people inside or out. He greets people more readily than dogs and is only really standoffish when you really want him to do something. Then his "powers" become evident!
    All the best to you, your new little one and Ceasar! You have a much deserved break coming your way! (Well maybe a distraction is more appropriate ;D)

  • Awwwww, what an adorable fellow! Did you pick out a name yet?

  • no, and it is sooooo hard. I have a thread going in the puppy section asking for help naming him….

  • Your pictures are beautiful of **all **of your babies, past, present and future! Thanks for sharing…

  • oh i feel so bad for you going through this with your baby. my prayers are with you. the picture was so sweet.

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  • Sick Basenji :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    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
  • Sick puppy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    DebraDownSouthD
    If you don't trust the vets you are seeing, please get her to a university vet for a second opinion. Have you talked to any of the other owners of the litter, or is she a rescue? When kennel cough is really bad, it can take months to clear up and the cough go away. She could also have allergies affecting her at night.. where does she sleep? Can you change where she sleeps to see if it's better?
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    I hope your pup is better soon. I do know that it can take a long time to treat pneumonia, and a 'tracheal wash' with cultures can point you to the correct antibiotic if puppy doesn't improve. Years ago our young dog had pneumonia and we went through 3 antibiotics with poor success, the cultures showed an unusual organism and we switched antibiotics and he was on them for another 3 months but recovered and lived to be 15. If you are not comfortable with your vet, go to a specialty group for a second opinion. We often go straight to our local specialists, saves time and money in the long run.
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    Hi, Lots of good advice here already. For the time being: I found in the Animal Desk Reference Manual (Essential Oils for Animals) by Melissa Shelton under Giardia on page 417 a list of possible remedies. One that you may have access to is Clove oil - you can put a drop or two in her water daily or in her food. Essential oils are very effective against parasites.
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    nobarkusN
    @Lysh: Sadie, how are your dogs going today? would love to see an updated photo of them. xx I'd like to see updated pics too.
  • My Basenji, Polly,

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    Polly is 9 this Christmas. Dec 14th to be exact!