Health Information for New Basenji Owners

[lvoss]

Since it seems like we have several new basenji owners recently join the forum, I thought now would be a good time to post some information about health testing that is good for all basenji owners to know about.

Health testing is important for pet owners and breeders alike since a dog that is in pain is more likely to bite and exhibit aggressive behavior because it doesn't feel well. As owners we need to be aware of our pet's health and help to keep their quality of life the best that we can.

Health testing that can be done as a pup.

CERF exam usually done at 10 weeks to get a good baseline for PPM and to check for Coloboma. This exam needs to be done by a Board Certified Veterinary Opthamologist and is usually done prior to pups going to their new homes. CERF exams should be repeated every couple of years since PRA is a late onset disease that causes blindness.

DNA Marker for Fanconi Syndrome, can be done as soon as the 3 cc's of blood can be drawn. This is especially recommended if there are no test results for the parents or at least one parent has not tested Probably Clear.

Health Testing that can be done at 12 months old

Patellas, can be checked by your regular vet and are often checked as part of a routine exam. If your pup has abnormal results please download the OFA submission form, http://www.offa.org and send it in so that the breed has accurate statistics for this disease. It is free to submit abnormal results.

Thyroid testing, an OFA panel or full panel done by MSU or Antech is recommended. OFA recommends yearly between the ages of 1 - 4 years old and then every other year. Hypothyroidism effects how much energy your dog has and often makes the dog feel grumpy and lethargic. Because it effects their metabolism the disease can have many different symptoms and effects on the dog.

Health Testing that can be done at 24 months old

Hips and Elbows can be x-rayed at your vet's office and mailed to OFA for reading. Dogs that are dysplastic may not show evidence of pain until they are older but if you know there is a problem you can do a lot to lessen the effects by keeping the dog in good weight and muscle tone. This is especially critical information for owners of canine athletes.

[tanza]

Great post lvoss….

And to add to this, all responsible breeders have their Basenjis that they are considering breeding tested for all of the above "before" they breed. And all people considering a pup should "ask" the questions... here is a link on how to find a responsible breeder... http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/selectbreeder.html

[sharronhurlbut]

I encourage all you folks with rescue dogs, or dogs you own that the sire/dam are not know, to have this DNA testing done.
Its important for your information on your dogs health.
I dream to see fanconis out of the basenji lines in my life time…and I am old!

[lvoss]

I agree that it is very important that any dog from untested parents should be tested using the DNA Marker Test for Fanconi.

I just also want everyone to know that there are other heritable diseases in basenjis that can also effect their quality of life and can lead to disasterous outcomes for the dog if not diagnosed and treated. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to seizures, cartiledge breakdown, and other preventable problems. Blind dogs often become confused and scared when furniture is suddenly rearranged and they can not navigate areas that were once familiar to them.

We have a marker test for Fanconi because of dedicated breeders and owners. It is also because of the willingness of so many in the basenji community who submitted not only blood samples for DNA extraction but also detailed health surveys and health records for the dogs they submitted that researchers are interested in working with us to find markers for other diseases. The more each of us does to collect information on our own dogs and keep the information in the Canine Phenome Project up to date the closer we can come to having markers for the other diseases found in the breed.

[paulajean]

Thank you for all the helpful information. We just recently got our first basenji puppy. I was lost to know how to take care of this breed. I am still looking for a vet in my area. Thank you again. This is very helpful.

[sharronhurlbut]

Paulajean, there are a lot of Texas b's who are in BRAT.
I would think if you posted to this site, www.basenjirescue.org
and asked for help locating a basenji savy vet in your area, they would
help you.

[jules]

I absolutely agree with Ivoss in the fact that heritable diseases are indeed something to be researched before breeding. RESPONSIBLE breeding is the only way forward.

[sharronhurlbut]

This is a very exciting time in the b's history..these dogs dogs from Africa might make sure our beloved breed live a long, healthy life.

[jules]

The potential is very exciting. Unfortunately not everyone considers the bloodlines and illness/disease when deciding to breed. I feel very strongly about this issue as I own a basenji who has suffered all her life with an ulcerated throat/stomach. I only hope in future people will be more responsible.

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

This is a very exciting time in the b's history..these dogs dogs from Africa might make sure our beloved breed live a long, healthy life.

I think it would be better put that the imports that are accepted into the stud books will "help" our breed live a long healthy life. Still need to health test, especially the new imports along with our existing blood lines….

[sharronhurlbut]

Pat, the new imports have had fanconi testing done, eye testing and color testing.
I know the group is very much wanting to share all the info re heath that they can with
anyone who wishes to know. In fact, I think its on the website, not sure but is it OFA?

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

Pat, the new imports have had fanconi testing done, eye testing and color testing.
I know the group is very much wanting to share all the info re heath that they can with
anyone who wishes to know. In fact, I think its on the website, not sure but is it OFA?

And they need to have Hips, Elbows, Patella and Thyroid testing. Some of the imports have had problems with Hips, Patellas and Thyroid…. So just Fanconi and eye testing is not IMO, good enough. This is not a knock on the new imports, just that they like our current pedigrees need to be fully tested. And IMO even more so because we don't have any knowledge on their background...

[sharronhurlbut]

As far as I know, all the tests you mentioned will be done and submitted.
So, everyone will have full disclosure.

[tanza]

I am sure that many with the newer imports are doing all the required testing, I was just pointing out that they are NOT the all around "savior" of the breed. Responsible breeding and responsible testing is…. Example is just because we found a marker for Fanconi and can test with reasonable confidence that we can stop Fanconi doesn't mean we should stop thinking about, testing for the other problems in the breed... especially things like PRA, another genetic late onset causing blindness.... and to carry it a bit further, just because problems with Thyroid can be controlled with daily meds, is that to say that we should not be concerned about it?

[sharronhurlbut]

We also know of a "so called" breeder who isn't even doing the basic testing, and is selling these dogs to the public.
Sigh.
I know the responsible folks will do the right thing for the dogs they bring over and the BCOA as a whole.

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

We also know of a "so called" breeder who isn't even doing the basic testing, and is selling these dogs to the public.
Sigh.
I know the responsible folks will do the right thing for the dogs they bring over and the BCOA as a whole.

Not only not testing, but selling them as Basenjis when they are not (at least they are not accepted into the stud books as new imports… nor have they even been submitted)

[paulajean]

How do i go about getting the Fanconi test done?

[tanza]

@paulajean:

How do i go about getting the Fanconi test done?

Go to www.basenjihealth.org the details can be found there. The cheek swab is order at www.offa.org also links to the CPP site where much Basenji health information is being collected.

[DebraDownSouth]

Can anyone point me to research regarding fanconi testing accuracy?

[curlytails]

@DebraDownSouth:

Can anyone point me to research regarding fanconi testing accuracy?

I don't know where published results are, but I e-mailed OFA to ask a while back. I was told that it's 98% accurate. I know there have been incidences, including on this forum, where owners were told that their tests were redone and they got different results back. I thought in those cases, it wasn't the test itself that was deemed inaccurate but something in the lab process that went wrong.