Basenji Breed Predisposition and Genetically Inherited Disorders


  • I would assume that someone who had a dog hurting like this would have had a simple x ray to show spine/neck allignment .
    That would show something other than nerve issues.
    I guess I was assuming that was done.
    If not, it should be the very first thing, IMO.


  • Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.


  • It is unclear the origin of Fanconi Syndrome as prior to the internt - keeping track of the health issues was just not as easy as it is now. There is a school of thought that it might have been originially a mutated gene perhaps from environmental toxins. I don't know as anyone has ever been able to know that for sure - if there ever is a genetic marker - that answer may come out of the research related to that.

    I would also say that the gene pool being limited to start with and then further limited when some other diseases showed up (HA & PRA for example). When those were identified there was no knowledge that HA could be so easily bred around and PRA was mis-or over - identified in the beginning because of the basenji hyper-reflective eye that LOOKS like PRA but is not. A large number of dogs was eliminated from the gene pool because of that. Now that we have a bigger knowledge base and testing and protocols for these, fanconi's and other health issues, we can look at the individual African dogs with knowledge of their actual health rather than in the earlier imports just assuming that if they are from African they are healthier.

    With the combination of turmoil and war in Africa as well as previously isolated areas now being more accessiblt - it is important to acquire additional genetics while they are still largely not influenced by other dog breeds. We can now do this with some knowledge and science to make sure we are not adding the same things we are trying to avoid.

    Obviously others have their opinions or fine points but this is the general overview.


  • @NicholasDenis:

    Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.

    The reasons for opening the stud book are given in BCOA's proposal to AKC which can be viewed at, http://www.basenji.org/NativeStock/Application/BasenjiStudbookPetition.pdf


  • Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
    IMO.


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
    IMO.

    I think that depends… while there are some very nice newly imported dogs that should be admitted, there are as many "nice village dogs" that some people would like to push to be admitted. So the key is the evaluation of these dogs.... before they are considered acceptable.


  • Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?

    BCOA has a panel to "judge" the dogs on their merit.. and then if they receive a certain rating it will be up to the membership to vote them in…

    My point was that there are people out there with "village dogs" and even plans to bring more in... that would like to try and get them into the stud books... if they do or don't.... isn't the question, in my mind, it is the fact that any old dog with a curly tail should be considered....


  • Some of the links to the info sites are no longer available. Are there any sites other than the basenji.org one?


  • listed disorders for which there is a general consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed. Where the mode of inheritance is known, this information is included on the linked disease

Suggested Topics

  • IBS in basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    3 Votes
    15 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    @jengosmonkey That is a very interesting link. My girl suffered none of the possible side effects. No lethargy, listlessness, weight gain and her shape remained immaculate till the day she died. But she no longer suffered from IBS.
  • Age of your basenji?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    42
    2 Votes
    42 Posts
    10k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Yeah you told me about that before and I'm clueless, but I'll try it if I need to, lol. could be the noise of occasional thump, could be they can hear it even tho we can't. My chow would be drooling buckets before we got a mile away. I just had to keep towels down and take off and bag along the trip. But I took her for a 7 hr trip to atlanta and she threw up and threw up, then stopped. Never threw up again. :( on your back. I had been getting radiofrequency ablations in the US, and they really helped. But doctors here will only do them once or twice. I have had at least 6 on one side, 3 on the other. :( But it's miraculous pain relief when it is done right. Maybe your dog acupuncturists knows of a human one they'd recommend?
  • Carsick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    eeeefarmE
    My first girl got carsick. I used Dramamine (Gravol) for her. Luckily she outgrew the problem, because every time I had to pill her the neighbours thought I was killing her. She screamed her head off! (and of course spit out the pill). She did best riding loose in the back seat. That was in the '60s, and we didn't worry about such things…...
  • My basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @snorky998: Were you thinking of Vestibular syndrome, Dan? http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=8577&highlight=vestibular+syndrome That's it Snorky!! :D
  • After breeding…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    True, I had two to three vets look at Shadow. Everyone knew there was a problem-which is why I had him xrayed as well. Funny how one thing can turn into something else.
  • Sneezy Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Joey sneezes a lot, but I don't think he has allergies. I think it is all the dust in our house. I hate to clean!! :D