Basenji losing teeth


  • Everything I read about Basenji teeth indicates they are very strong. My 5 1/2 year old female basenji has started chipping, splintering and losing her teeth. At first it was just one impacted rear tooth that needed extraction, then she splintered an incisor, and now there are 2 front teeth almost missing (broken off). She does NOT chew any hard bones, not even bully sticks, per her vet. On occasion she will chew and rip up bedding and softer materials. Once she chewed through an extension cord, but we do not consider her a 'chewer'. Any insight into what could be causing this would be appreciated!!!!!!!:confused:


  • Maybe she 'chews' on her crate?

    I saw that one of Lycia's canines has enamel damage. Tillo has it on the back of both is upper canines, he did that at doggy day care.. We took him to the dentist, who fixed it :)

  • Houston

    I wish I knew what to tell you. I don't know if it is common or uncommon in B's to have stronger then normal dog teeth. Otis, has a small splinter in one of his smaller teeth, I believe he got that from chewing on bones, but don't know, I just noticed it the other day. You would think as common it is for B's to be chewers, even if their teeth are stronger they would also have more damage to them..no? I simply do not know, but this raises an interesting question no doubt.


  • @Janneke:

    Maybe she 'chews' on her crate?

    I saw that one of Lycia's canines has enamel damage. Tillo has it on the back of both is upper canines, he did that at doggy day care.. We took him to the dentist, who fixed it :)

    Kananga has the same thing, exactly why I won't crate him unless he's supervised. I do my best to keep his teeth pearly white. :D


  • Have you talked with the breeder? Is this common for his/her bloodline? There are some lines that really do not have great teeth…. and it just happens to be genetic, IMO. I had one of those... his teeth were terrible... regardless what I did for them... and there were/are relatives of his that have exactly the same problems with teeth. If this is a rescue then it is possible that her early condition could and can have something to do with her poor teeth.

    I don't agree that Basenjis are known for strong teeth, they are no different IMO then other breeds of dogs


  • Dogs are probably like people in that some people genetically have strong and tough teeth and others don't. Same with just the general physical genes in that one Basenji is so different from another. My first Basenji was physically tough as nails and never itched or had 1 hot spot it's whole life but my second, right as a puppy had allergies and other problems no matter how well I took care of her or fed her high quality food.


  • My b's also lost teeth by chewing on the crate.
    So, they are free now.


  • We had 3 brothers once, one of them had awful teeth. I brushed his teeth twice every day and he still needed cleaning and extractions every year. His other brothers had normal teeth, cleaned them about every 5 years, brushed once a day or less.


  • @MacPack:

    We had 3 brothers once, one of them had awful teeth. I brushed his teeth twice every day and he still needed cleaning and extractions every year. His other brothers had normal teeth, cleaned them about every 5 years, brushed once a day or less.

    Wow! Were they Basenjis? Did you have them since they were pups? Twice a day and teeth still went bad! Like Forest Gump says "A Basenji is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get".


  • my oldest basenji ( almost 9 ) had lost 2 teeth this year, 1 uppertooth and 1 premolar ( one of the "false" ones, I dont know how it is called in english ) otherwise she has pretty good teeth for her age, healthy gums and not very much dental plaque, the vet cant find any cause for her loosing teeth…..


  • Is there anything we can watch for on losing the teeth like color change in gums? anything at all?

    Rita Jean


  • Renewing a teeth thread….
    Have an appointment for yet again another tooth extraction and cleaning on Friday for my older boy, Ty. Have been using the Maxi Guard Oral cleansing gel for a year and it obviously didn't work for Ty.

    Ty had a base line panel done about 8 months ago, but I'm still concerned about reactions to anesthetic at his age.

    That said, I'd also like to know if there is anything else you all would recommend I have done when he's "under". Kind of a two-birds-with-one-stone scenario.


  • You need to have blood work done again before the extraction….


  • Already talked to the vet about this. It was her intention all along.

    Thank you Pat. Any other suggestions?

Suggested Topics

  • Is this a Basenji?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    19k Views
    ShannaniganS
    So many of those poses and positions are the same things I see Paco do. I'm also no expert, and Paco's my first dog that's mine-all-mine for me to watch all the time, but I feel like Tag's face is very Basenji-like…and if he yodels as well... if he doesn't have Basenji in him, I'd at least say you could describe him to others as a Basenji-like dog.
  • Puppy teeth

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    JISGARDJ
    O yes, it was certainly cheaper than the Vet!!!
  • Is it a Basenji???

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    MandyM
    I have gotten the comment of min doberman. lol…. could have been her spiked Harley collar.
  • Homeopathy for Basenjis?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    Yes–I forgot that there are actually homeopathic vets available. We are so lucky here in the Bay Area--we have great vets, specialists and also UC Davis veterinary school/drs not too far away--and believe me--I have used all of these resources over the past 18 years.....
  • Who has the largest Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    63
    0 Votes
    63 Posts
    36k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    Thank you so much for the encouraging words. We have been running him with our other dogs in our yard, we have about half acre or so, and he is fast..He loves it, just don't think he is used to out heat yet, it is already about 85+ degrees and very humid…I think he looks good, he is definitely babychunky, not fat, but what I envision a puppy looking like before he grows into his own body. We will keep up with what we have done so far and see what he turns out like...can't be bad, just beautiful.. Basenjimamma
  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k 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.