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Basenji Eyes

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • J

    Please let us know how the vet opthomologist visit went. Any news? Sending postive thoughts and wishes yours and Keba's way.

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  • KebasmomK

    Hello again.

    I found out this evening that my vet was wrong. My dog is NOT blind. She can still see a little bit. She does not have PRA but rather optic neuritis caused by some kind of infection which then causes the optic disk to swell. The veterinary opthomologist (VO) was a great guy. He talked to us for a while and then set up a little obstacle course which Keba slowly negotiated. Then he turned off the lights and she wouldn't do it. Then he did the exam. Keba has a referral to see a vertinary neurologist, hopefully tomorrow. The VO said that the neurologist would prob do a spinal tap, figure out what's wrong and then give her a shot of steroids and maybe something else. He also said that she should regain some of her sight but not all of it.

    The VO smiled when I asked him if he knew Basenjis and then he said "of course I know Basenjis, I'm the eye man".

    Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions, ideas and good thoughts. We're not in the clear here yet. You all are wonderful. I'll keep you posted.

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  • tanzaT

    Well at least you know… and sounds like there is treatment... and good thoughts coming your way.....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • J

    Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted.

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  • jys1011J

    Thanks so much for sharing here with us…I would have NEVER thought there was VOs or VNs!! WOW!! I swear I love this board because I'm always learning something new.

    Basenji Mom of C3PO & TOPAZ

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    @jys1011:

    Thanks so much for sharing here with us…I would have NEVER thought there was VOs or VNs!! WOW!! I swear I love this board because I'm always learning something new.

    There is just about any kind of specialist that humans have. Over the years, my B had his regular vet (GP :)) an opthomologist, neurologist, physical therapist, dentist, psychiatrist (animal behaviorist), and oncologist (for his chemo when he had cancer)….and I know there are many more.....

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  • KebasmomK

    Hello Everybody. We saw the Neurologist on Friday and he did a spinal tap on Saturday morning. The initial results are a UTI and something else that may be autoimmune related. He called my regular vet to check initial blood tests for thyroid level and said that they look normal. Samples of the spinal fluid were sent to a lab in Texas, meanwhile Keba is on Amoxicillin and Prednisone beginning yesterday. If she doesn't improve quickly then he will up the dosage.

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    It sounds like Keba is getting very good care–both from her doctors and her mom. How do they do the spinal tap on a dog? Was she under anesthesia? Was it painful for her after?

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  • KebasmomK

    The spinal tap took only about 45 minutes from start to finish. The vet gave her what he called a "little gas" because she had to be totally still. They also shaved a large spot from the back of her ears to her shoulders. There was a small spot on the back of her neck where they drew the sample. She was a little groggy but she didn't exhibit any pain and was all better later in the day.

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    I'm glad to hear the spinal tap went so easily. What a brave little girl Keba is. When I first saw she was getting a spinal tap, I thought oh–that sounds painful. I hope things start improving for her.

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  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

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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
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