Thyroid Testing Guidlines

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The following correspondence has been received from Dr Aine Seavers in relation to testing Basenjis for Thyroid dysfunction. A guide and best practice for testing thyroid is attached. It is suggested that owners provide this guide to their vet prior to any thyroid diagnostics.

I have had a recent run of cases being diagnosed as Hypothyroid on the basis of a low TT4. You would think after all the blood, sweat, tears and money we all poured into alerting owners and ...

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Basenjis over diagnosed and medicated for hypothyroidism

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Basenjis over diagnosed for hypothyroidism  – Update on Basenji Thyroid Research – Dr Aine Seavers

In 2006 research began which encompassed testing 113 Basenjis of various ages and sex including de-sexed individuals. The research concluded that Basenjis have a similar reference range for serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to other dog breeds but considerably lower Thyroxine (TT4). That taken alone, TT4 levels have limited benefit in determining thyroid function. That it is essential to review the TT4 along with the TSH ...

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Coconut Oil Warning

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Email from Dr Aine Seavers,

Hi All, 
It has  come to my attention from clients in general that the internet is currently pushing coconut oil as a treatment – topical and oral – for so many ailments.

This oil must not be fed to Basenjis of any age but especially the old and especially in cold weather when we are most at risk of the dogs throwing ‘strokes’ or CVAs.

Coconut oil has always been associated with hardening of the arteries and clots ...

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VBBA Updates Constitution

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27 Oct 2013 – VBBA votes to update its rules. Processes streamlined and General Meetings permissible by on-line/teleconference debate followed by secure on-line voting using up-to-the-minute technology. The voting system becomes it’s own returning officer ensuring that the integrity and accuracy of voting results is second to none. Everyone’s voice can be heard without the time needed to travel, sometimes for hours to a meeting to resolve one agenda item. Members can now be involved from the comfort of their ...

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Akua from the Congo

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Akua, a native Basenji from the Congo will exhibited at the Royal Melbourne Show. He will be located at the VBBA exhibit (Pavilion 18) as part of the Rare Breeds Showcase on Monday 29 September 2013 only. An expedition to the Congo in 2010 led VBBA member Ethel Blair to find Akua. He was a very young puppy. As soon as Akua was old enough to travel he was flown to America where necessary health checks and evaluations were carried out. Akua ...

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SOS Emergency Card

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In February 2013 the VBBA launched its SOS Emergency Card. This is a new initiative and added benefit for Club members. The purpose of the card, which is credit card size and kept in ones wallet, is to alert emergency services (in the unlikely event the member is caught up in an emergency situation) that the person has dogs at home that will need attention. The card has space for two emergency contact numbers and the Club’s main contact number ...

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Basenji Male ‘Season’

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Research recently conducted by Dr Aine Seavers on the levels of male testosterone pre and post Easter (for Basenjis in the Southern Hemisphere) has found evidence that Basenji males do have a ‘male season’ around Easter time. Of course Basenji breeders have long realised this but now there is physical blood evidence to support the theory.

The issue is that if a male is tested outside a fairly narrow range of time around the Equinox those dogs might be classified as ...

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Stroke Like Symptoms

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Dr Aine Seavers writes: Basenjis suffer cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or for want of a better word to describe it “stroke-like” symptoms as they age and especially in cold weather but they recover from them. My concern is how many of these Basenjis with this condition just get put to sleep as vets think they look so bad they can’t recover. Most other breeds look like a mild drunk when they get it, Basenji look like a newborn Bambi ...

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Aussie to the Rescue!

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With 6 Chinese Crested dogs, scared & on the run after their dog trailer was involved in an accident who do you call? Basenji Aussie! Aussie is Dual Ch (Tracking) Taqsim Signet Silknsmoke TDX, as far as we know the worlds first Dual Tracking Champion, certainly the first in Australia. Never in his, or for that matter his trainer, handler and owner Bev Reid’s wildest imagination did they think that they would be called upon to mount a rescue mission ...

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