BCOA says: http://www.basenji.org/PUBLIC/BasenjiHealthPages.pdf
Pets can be DNA tested to verify a Fanconi diagnosis or to help assess their likelihood of coming down with Fanconi. However, even if your dog is DNA tested clear or carrier, you should still strip-test, as there is a small risk of error with the linkage DNA test and a small number of false positives and false negatives have occurred.
I think that we must imprint Pat's and Sharon's words into our brains… which really was my whole point. I don't want people to assume the linkage test is foolproof, not test and then end up with a dog dying young that simple strip testing would have found and gotten on protocol. I am sending in both Cara and Arwen (who at almost 9 still is clear so should be fine but I'd like to know anyway!) this month. And I'll keep strip testing til they get a direct test. Heck, I'm so paranoid I'll probably still test.
just out of curiosity..when should the strip testing begin…I mean at what age?
I would say that depends on test results. If results are affected, I would start at 2, carrier and clear probably at 3. I would also recommend more consistent testing with an affected than a clear/carrier. I personally don’t think you need to be constantly strip testing a dog with a fanconi test of clear/carrier, but it should be done periodically.
Before the cheek swabs came out, I used to strip test the first of every month.
Made it easy for me to remember to do it.
I would say that depends on test results. If results are affected, I would start at 2, carrier and clear probably at 3. I would also recommend more consistent testing with an affected than a clear/carrier. I personally don?t think you need to be constantly strip testing a dog with a fanconi test of clear/carrier, but it should be done periodically.
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=10971&highlight=fanconi
I think the need to strip testing routinely, especially for carriers, is pretty clearly shown necessary by this recent thread. Sorry, I'd rather test than have a dog go months sick. I don't think 3 mins to strip once a month constitutes as "constantly."
When you test, it should be several days in a row, so when you have a case like mine. Carrier from a clear and a child of two clears, I don’t think testing every month is necessary, every 3 months should be sufficient. If you know about the disease you know what to look for more than just a color change on a strip of paper.
When you test, it should be several days in a row, so when you have a case like mine. Carrier from a clear and a child of two clears, I don?t think testing every month is necessary, every 3 months should be sufficient. If you know about the disease you know what to look for more than just a color change on a strip of paper.
I agree it never hurts to strip several days in a row….. But I totally disagree with your statement that it isn't necessary to strip test every month. There is such a variety of presentation among dogs that you should at the very least strip test once a month. Besides doing it on a set time table helps to engrave the habit into your daily life.
First, the strip testing should catch things BEFORE any symptoms appear! That is the point of doing it… to catch it early.
Second, while I guess testing several days is okay, when I read your statement I thought... wow, 10 yrs of doing it wrong. So I went to look, and not ONE mentioned doing even 2 days in a row. It might not hurt to do it 2 days or 3 or 10, but if a dog has Fanconi, it is not that likely to change from day one to day 2 or day 3.
http://www.basenjifanciers.com/Basenji-Health.html
http://www.basenjirescue.org/Fanconi/fanconi.htm
http://www.basenjihealth.org/health-content.html
http://www.basenji-freunde.com/1_letter_dr_gonto_fanconi_syndrome.htm
Debra, Amen and Amen!!! When I received the result my boy was prob affected I have to admit though as far to the left as it was I without fail for over 2 years stripped him every single day. It was my way of getting through the day with some sort of peace of mind. I am now on a far more reasonable schedule 
I hate to hear anyone promote skipping a month here and there. Pick a day of the month and engrave it in your schedule.
If I had an affected dog, I probably wold test at least twice a month, again, caught as early as possible has better outcomes in most diseases. If clear or carrier, monthly is enough.
I test Presley at least once a week and any day I just need a little extra confidence he is ok. I live with the hope that he will never spill a drop of sugar, but heaven forbid it ever happens I want to catch it right early.
Actually I was told several years ago by Parry Tallmadge that he caught his dog early by testing for a full week each month. He was testing monthly but was concerned because of other dogs having become ill. He tested several days in a row and did get differing results from day to day.
Debra is right the key is catching it early and it would seem to me in this particular case strip testing a couple days in a row each month might not hurt.
Just a thought.
Therese
@Therese:
Actually I was told several years ago by Parry Tallmadge that he caught his dog early by testing for a full week each month. He was testing monthly but was concerned because of other dogs having become ill. He tested several days in a row and did get differing results from day to day.
Debra is right the key is catching it early and it would seem to me in this particular case strip testing a couple days in a row each month might not hurt.
Just a thought.
Therese
Exactly, in fact at one point his boy didn't spill for over 9 months… however then he started to spill again and he did get different results from day to day, hence why I say you should test 3 or 4 days in a row.
When you test, it should be several days in a row, so when you have a case like mine. Carrier from a clear and a child of two clears, I don?t think testing every month is necessary, every 3 months should be sufficient. If you know about the disease you know what to look for more than just a color change on a strip of paper.
Sorry… but this statement is rather ludicrous.
If one were to wait until they SAW symptoms, the dog is already in renal failure.
A dog will strip test positive (spilling sugar) well before any clinical symptoms (excessing drinking and urination) will ever occur.
Waiting until one sees symptoms is just asking for a ticket to death's door for the dog. I have seen fanconi more than enough to have a base for my statements.
Kathy, What would you say was the first thing you noticed on your fanconi b?
Everyone can rest assured that Presley is strip tested adequately!!! LOL Lets just say I don't have to worry about my strips expiring. Really it isn't a laughing matter at all. If you knew me at all or have seen Presley and I together you would know how much my striped brat means to me. He and I are tight. I lost it when his results came back and literally had to be drugged so I could sleep. It took me a while to come to grips and realize Presley's just as each and every result received has a Big Probable in front of it….. Presley is not on death row. He may never spill a drop of sugar. His test could be an error, or He may be among the sector that never developes the disease. Heaven for bid he does spill sugar I will catch it early and give him the best shot at a normal life. Presley is almost 7 and I have NEVER seen him turn down a meal. I look at it this way if my test is an error the worse thing besides the stigma and the heart break that came with the result is..... I bought several bottles of strips and I have stood outside in a wide variety of weather in a wide variety of attire in many different places with my dog on a lead and me leaning down and running a strip through his urine flow. There are others out there who celebrated the receiving of results by throwing away their test strips and bragging about NO more fanconi in their lines. The result of their failing to test the test by continuing to strip test at the very least once a month has far graver consequences, for not just themselves and their dog, but just maybe you if you happen to be someone who buys a puppy from them!
Eva, I hope you never have to do more than strip test your boy. Hugs and hugs to you and Presley.
I understand everyone does things differently, but I have to ask:
Eva, the way you make it sound, we don’t need the Fanconi test if it makes no difference how many times ‘clear’ shows up in a pedigree, you should test every dog at least once a month because every dog will have the same chances of getting Fanconi. Is that right?
I understand everyone does things differently, but I have to ask:
Eva, the way you make it sound, we don?t need the Fanconi test if it makes no difference how many times ?clear? shows up in a pedigree, you should test every dog at least once a month because every dog will have the same chances of getting Fanconi. Is that right?
What I am saying is the current test we have is a linked marker test. It is a very valuable first step and is the result of many hours of research. It is not a direct test as the gene that actually carries fanconi has yet to be identified. Responsible and Reputable breeders and owners will do their part by first having their dogs tested. Then since fanconi is a late onset disease should continue to strip test their dogs regardless of the results they receive for several years and report any inconsistent results so those dogs DNA can be further studied and hopefully bring the researchers closer to problem gene. Sir we are only 3 years into this portion of the battle. There are many dogs who are way younger than the typical age of onset and errors are being reported. There are carriers that have developed fanconi, there are puppies being tested affected from clear parents. There are old dogs that tested affected that have never displayed the disease.
@eva:
What I am saying is the current test we have is a linked marker test. It is a very valuable first step and is the result of many hours of research. It is not a direct test as the gene that actually carries fanconi has yet to be identified. Responsible and Reputable breeders and owners will do their part by first having their dogs tested. Then since fanconi is a late onset disease should continue to strip test their dogs regardless of the results they receive for several years and report any inconsistent results so those dogs DNA can be further studied and hopefully bring the researchers closer to problem gene. Sir we are only 3 years into this portion of the battle. There are many dogs who are way younger than the typical age of onset and errors are being reported. There are carriers that have developed fanconi, there are puppies being tested affected from clear parents. There are old dogs that tested affected that have never displayed the disease.
What puppies from Clear Parents are testing affected? Not in data that I have seen? And puppies that are testing affected, have the sire and dam's been retested? And is there any questions about their parentage? The two that I know (puppies testing affected), one was from an admitted sample mix up taken at the 2007 BCOA National when blood was still being used and there were a number of dogs that had to be retested from that time. The other that I know of, turns out there was a question on if the sire/dam were really the parents of that puppy.
While I do not disagree with your about strip testing and that this is a linkage test and as you point out has only been available for coming close to 4yrs so the data is still being collected.
