FAQ's for the new Fanconi linkage test

[tanza]

@basi:

We have a club show here in Germany at the begining of September and have organised a vet to come and take plood samples from as many of the B's as possible to be sent off and tested. It is such a brilliant break through for the breed

That is great news… and yes.... it is a brilliant break through for our wonderful breed....

It is important that people ask before buying, have the parents been DNA tested for Fanconi?..... and don't take "our Vet said they are healthly"... as the answer.... It is important to educate the public that we have a DNA test for this terrible affliction... and now we can do something about it.

[dmcarty]

I have added a link to the health endowment page but I wanted to add a link to where the results are posted so that people could check but I can't find it. Is in on the OFFA page somewhere or is it somewhere else.

[tanza]

@dmcarty:

I have added a link to the health endowment page but I wanted to add a link to where the results are posted so that people could check but I can't find it. Is in on the OFFA page somewhere or is it somewhere else.

The results are at www.offa.org
In order to see all the Basenjis with Fanconi testing you need to first go to seach date. Then mark Basenji in the list of breeds. Go to the botton and in the seach by dates, enter in July 2007 to August 2007 and click seach. You will get all the Basenjis that have had OFA testing results posted for that time period. Since Fanconi test just started in July, you will get all that have been posted so far. Only the first set have been posted as they wanted the OFA certificates to be mailed before posting.

[dmcarty]

Whew - not so easy to get to but I got it - I wish there was a grid at the top CA - carrier and probably affected. is PI clear? or not posted yet.

[lvoss]

PI means Permanent Identification.

Reading the Numbers

BJ-FAC28/115M-PI

BJ = Basenji
FAC = Fanconi Marker Test
28 = 28th test registered
115 = age in months
M = Male
PI = Permanent Identification
CLEAR since there is no further notation

BJ-FAC53/31F-PI-CAR

BJ = Basenji
FAC = Fanconi Marker Test
53 = 53rd test registered
31 = age in months
F = Female
PI = Permanent Identification
CAR = Carrier

BJ-FAC78/7F-NOPI-IND

BJ = Basenji
FAC = Fanconi Marker Test
78 = 78th test registered
7 = age in months
F = Female
NOPI = no permanent identification
IND = test Indeterminate

Affecteds are not assigned a number.

[dmcarty]

Thanks - I'm sure once we all get going on this it will be second nature.

[dash]

Is it possible for even non-breeding dogs to submit for testing?

[lvoss]

Yes, all basenji owners can submit samples. You will need to go to the Canine Phenome Project website and sign up. Once you have registered your dog and entered its information you will be able to print a submission form with instructions for sending in samples.

http://www.caninephenome.org/

[jys1011]

I am super excited about this too!!! I just found out this weekend that TOPAZ's dad is clear very excited!! We find out about her mom this week. C3's dad is "undetermined" so we won't know about him. But still great news nonetheless!!

[tanza]

@jys1011:

I am super excited about this too!!! I just found out this weekend that TOPAZ's dad is clear very excited!! We find out about her mom this week. C3's dad is "undetermined" so we won't know about him. But still great news nonetheless!!

Well, what you do know about C3's Dad is that he is either Clear or Carrier, but not affected… which is knowing way more then you did before... if C3's dam is clear then at worst you would have a carrier... if his dam is a carrier you have a 25% of a clear, 50% of carrier, 25% of affected.

[tanza]

@jys1011:

I am super excited about this too!!! I just found out this weekend that TOPAZ's dad is clear very excited!! We find out about her mom this week. C3's dad is "undetermined" so we won't know about him. But still great news nonetheless!!

By the way, who are Topaz's and C3's sire and dam again?

[jys1011]

C3-El Dorado's Ungaro & Sadiki's Patriot Pride

Apparently his dad had squences of that a normal & a carrier….so the outcome is undefined. Gotta find out about his mom. Our breeder is checking out all of their dogs which is great since she knows his entire lineage

Topaz-Terrarust's Remote Control & El Dorado's Joie De Vivre

[tanza]

For anyone that wants to seach the OFA database for Basenjis tested for Fanconi and the results, go to www.offa.org
Then to search, put in Basenji for the breed of dog
Then in the report on the right hand side, scroll to Fanconi and then go to the bottom and hit search

[JazzysMom]

I just talked to Bryan and got some dismaying news. I already knew that her dam has Fanconi, but have just learned that her sire has tested as a carrier. Time to do heavy duty studying and be very, very diligent about testing her urine. I know it's not a sure thing that she'll wind up w/Fanconi, but it makes my heart heavy to know her odds are high.

On an up note, Keoki's sire tested clear so he should be okay.

Still, I AM thankful the test is there to give me the heads-up I'll need to educate and prepare.

TEST TEST TEST those dogs!!

[tanza]

@JazzysMom:

I just talked to Bryan and got some dismaying news. I already knew that her dam has Fanconi, but have just learned that her sire has tested as a carrier. Time to do heavy duty studying and be very, very diligent about testing her urine. I know it's not a sure thing that she'll wind up w/Fanconi, but it makes my heart heavy to know her odds are high.

On an up note, Keoki's sire tested clear so he should be okay.

Still, I AM thankful the test is there to give me the heads-up I'll need to educate and prepare.

TEST TEST TEST those dogs!!

You did send it for Jazzy, right? We will keep our fingers crossed for you, she still can come back as a carrier and not affected…

[JazzysMom]

@tanza:

You did send it for Jazzy, right? We will keep our fingers crossed for you, she still can come back as a carrier and not affected…

Bryan is picking up the blood this week and it will be sent in. I have my fingers crossed, believe me. In the meantime, I'm going to start studying as much as I can now so that if things don't go the way I hope, I'll be ready to jump on this as soon as it shows up.

[khanis]

Let's not forget that a dog CAN have Fanconi and CAN live a normal life.
My BENNY is a perfect example.
Yes, he was on the protocol from Day 1 of his diagnosis, in November 2005.
He's been OFF the protocol for about 5 months now.
I had a very big decision to make…
continue to see my dog look like crap and feel like crap and stare at his food bowl from the couch...
or give him a better life without an upset stomach full of bicarb tablets.
I chose the latter.
Benny now eats like a champ..
and no dog better get near his food bowl....
he will chase them away with his louder than life growling...
he is ALWAYS ready to eat....
and ready for his upteem daily snacks..
these were things that he turned away when on the protocol....
I felt like I was watching him wilt away...
Now I see that my boy is thriving and PLAYING with the puppies....
and even jumping on the trampoline...
he dies for lure coursing....
and even wants to show again.....

Was he REALLY given a life sentence?
I've since changed my mind....
unless one knows he is Fanconi Affected....
they'd never be able to tell from looking at him,
or watching his actions.

Benny will be able to be seen in the SHOW RING at the BCOA National...
and walking my son around the sidelines the rest of the week.

Don't get me wrong.....
FANCONI SUCKS....
but it is not always a death sentence.

[tanza]

@khanis:

Let's not forget that a dog CAN have Fanconi and CAN live a normal life.
My BENNY is a perfect example.
Yes, he was on the protocol from Day 1 of his diagnosis, in November 2005.
He's been OFF the protocol for about 5 months now.
I had a very big decision to make…
continue to see my dog look like crap and feel like crap and stare at his food bowl from the couch...
or give him a better life without an upset stomach full of bicarb tablets.
I chose the latter.
Benny now eats like a champ..
and no dog better get near his food bowl....
he will chase them away with his louder than life growling...
he is ALWAYS ready to eat....
and ready for his upteem daily snacks..
these were things that he turned away when on the protocol....
I felt like I was watching him wilt away...
Now I see that my boy is thriving and PLAYING with the puppies....
and even jumping on the trampoline...
he dies for lure coursing....
and even wants to show again.....

Was he REALLY given a life sentence?
I've since changed my mind....
unless one knows he is Fanconi Affected....
they'd never be able to tell from looking at him,
or watching his actions.

Benny will be able to be seen in the SHOW RING at the BCOA National...
and walking my son around the sidelines the rest of the week.

Don't get me wrong.....
FANCONI SUCKS....
but it is not always a death sentence.

All of that is your decision and glad that it is working for Benny…. but not the normal case.... and at least now we can finally go forward... with life without producing Fanconi affected dogs...

[JazzysMom]

he did better OFF the protocol? How common is THAT?

[tanza]

@JazzysMom:

he did better OFF the protocol? How common is THAT?

I think that every dog is different… on and off the protocol... everyone needs to make their own choices... I know people with Fanconi dogs that have been on the protocol for years and years and doing great... some not... think of how many dogs have Fanconi and people don't even know because they don't know to test.... I would think it is not very common... that they do better off the protocol... But more power to Benny.... and keep on keeping on...