Basenji Health Issues
The Basenji is generally a very healthy and robust little dog. With that in mind it is still wise to be aware of some of the health issues that may affect Basenjis so over time I will be adding a little information about some of the more common Basenji health concerns on this page.
Fanconi Syndrome
Fanconi Syndrome is a renal tubular dysfunction that was first reported in the Basenji in 1976. It has been found occuring in Basenjis from all over the world.
Symptoms of this kidney disorder are increased thirst, frequent urination, dehydration, weight loss, changes in haircoat, and weakness. If left untreated the dog will constantly succumb to severe Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), become very ill and will eventually die. Many vets have misdiagnosed the disorder as Diabetes, kidney failure or thyroid deficiency due to lack of knowledge of Fanconi syndrome. The signs may appear as early as the age of three, but Basenjis between the ages of five and eight have shown the highest rate of occurrence.
While there is yet no cure for Fanconi Syndrome, research does go on. Meanwhile the prognosis for the health of affected dogs is very good if owners work with their veterinarian on identifying their dog's metabolic deficiencies and place them on a vitamin, mineral, bicarbonate, replacement regimen, combined with a high protein diet, to make up for the kidney's losses. This has been developed by Dr Steve Gonto, M.M.Sc, Ph.D, USA, who has produced a Fanconi disease Management Protocol for veterinarians. A Fanconi affected dog has what is termed medically as "high output" failure.
If you are planning on getting a Basenji puppy make sure to ask the breeder if the parents have been DNA tested for Fanconi Syndrome.
DNA Linkage Test- U.S.A
Great News For Basenji Breeders everywhere!
On July 14, 2007, the Basenji Health Endowment proudly reported that Dr. Gary Johnson of the University of Missouri has released the linked marker DNA test for Fanconi Syndrome in Basenjis. As the first predictive test available for Fanconi Syndrome it is being used now to determine the probability of a dog carrying the gene for Fanconi Syndrome.
Hopefully the actual "gene" will be identified soon but until then we have this DNA Linkage test available in the interim.
This is wonderful news for our breed!!
Armed with this information & with careful breeding practices breeders will now be equipped to eradicate this devastating disease from the Basenji breed.
Since Fanconi Syndrome is generally fatal if not treated correctly all responsible breeders should now be testing their Basenjis for the Fanconi DNA Linkage test before breeding.
Go HERE for the procedure of getting your Basenji tested and FAQ
To get your Basenji tested they need to first be enrolled in the Canine Phenome Project :
Go HERE to go to the CPP Website to enrol your Basenji.
How to proceed once you have your test results:
There are four possible test results: Clear, Carrier, Affected & Indeterminate. Below is a description of what each result means to you as a breeder.
CLEAR
This result indicates that the gene is not present in your dog. Therefore, when used for breeding, a 'Clear' dog will not pass on the Fanconi gene.
CARRIER
This result indicates that one copy of the Fanconi gene is present in your dog.
Dogs with Carrier status will not develop Fanconi Syndrome but will pass on the Fanconi gene 50% of the time.
AFFECTED
This result indicates that two copies of the Fanconi gene are present in the dog. These dogs will develop Fanconi Syndrome & will always pass on the Fanconi gene to their progeny.
INDETERMINATE
Between Carrier or Clear - Best to regard as a carrier when making breeding decisions to be safe.
Breeding Pair Combinations
Parents | Offspring Fanconi Results |
| Clear x Clear | 100% guaranteed Clear offspring |
| Clear x Carrier | 50 % Clear, 50 % Carrier (these are averages) |
| Clear x Affected | 100% Guaranteed Carrier offspring |
| Carrier x Carrier | 25 % Clear, 50 % Carrier, 25 % Affected (these are averages) |
| Carrier x Affected | 50% Carrier, 50% Affected (these are averages) |
| Affected x Affected | 100% guaranteed Affected offspring |
All Basenji Fanconi results are public on the OFA Database
To do a search on Basenji Fanconi results on the 'Orthopaedic Foundation For Animals'(OFA) website follow these simple instructions:
First click on the link below
http://www.offa.org/
2. Click on the "Search OFA Records" button (left side of page)
3. Select "Basenjis" from the list of breeds
4.Then scroll all the way down to the bottom and in the (From X date to X date) at the bottom of the page enter "July, 2007"and in the (To box) enter "the month you are searching" eg: "December 2007"
5.Click the search button.
You will then be given a list of all Basenji results in the OFA Database to date in alphabetical order.
Understanding Australian Hip Scores
OFA SCORE | AUSTRALIAN SCORE |
| Excellent | 0 - 4 (no >3 per hip) |
| Good | 5 - 10 (no >6 per hip) |
| Fair | 11 - 18 |
| Borderline | 19 - 25 |
| Mild Dysplasia | 26 - 35 |
| Moderate | 36 - 50 |
| Severe | 51 - 106 |
The above ratings were published by Dr. Susan Gauthier.
Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket is badly formed and can lead to lameness, osteoarthritis & a great deal of pain & disability for affected dogs. It is believed to be polygenic, with multiple genes involved in its development.
Dogs should wait until they reach 2 years of age when they are fully developed before their hips are evaluated by a specialist to get an accurate reading.
In Australia (2007) the current breed average is a total score of 6.9 for Basenjis. This is the total of each hip score added together.
In our opinion breeding from dogs who are not hip scored means missing out on vital information necessary in any breeding program.
The experts agree that breeding is not recommended from a Basenji which has a hip score over the breed average and that it is best not to breed dogs together that have scores over half of the breed average.
Thyroid Issues
There appears to be a Genetic Predisposition to Hypothyroidism in Basenjis, which can in turn be triggered by environmental challenges, including over vaccination and preventive chemical for fleas, ticks, heartworm etc. The thyroid gland is known as the master gland and controls the speed of metabolism of almost all body cells. When thyroid hormones are present at below normal levels, many different bodily functions can be affected; so the clinical appearance of the disease can and does vary. See below for a list of the clinical signs of hypothyroidism in canines.
Although hypothyroidism is not life threatening, the quality of life of affected dogs is subnormal. Breeders of Basenjis should advise veterinarians of the fact that sighthounds as a general rule have lower normal ranges for T4 and T3 concentrations as compared to other breeds.
Please note that most vets will simply run a T4 test if a Thyroid test is requested. This test on its own is basically a useless test.
....The Tests to ask for....
The most cost effective Thyroid panel recommended is the Thyroid Antibody Panel - Thyroid 5 which is composed of T4, Free T4, T3, Free T3 and TGAA Cost: $71 U.S available through Hemopet in the U.S
Testing is reliable if done an anoestrus. Testing in oestrus will give false results therefore it is recommended to test in the 30 days in the middle period of anoestrus (hips/eyes, are also recommended to be done during this period).
Research suggests that up to 90 % of cases of Hypothyroidism are actually the end stage of Auto Immune LymphocyticThyroiditis..........
Auto Immune Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
During the progression of this hereditary autoimmune disease, affected animals produce auto-antibodies against their own thyroglobulin.
The slow, and eventual total, destruction of the thyroid gland caused by this disease is eventually fatal.
Although heredity is not yet fully understood it is generally agreed that it is a single gene recessive disease.
The best current marker for this disease is a positive TgAA test result.TgAA= Canine Thyroglobulin autoantibody.
Carriers are not detected by testing currently.
An important consideration for breeders is that the TgAA test can detect this disease years before clinical siqns of hypothyroidism occur. Most affected dogs will have autoantibodies by 5 years of age. It is rare but not unknown for a dog to have positive TgAA before one year of age so it is recommended to commence testing after puberty; between 15-18 months is the ideal age, and then semi-annually. After 5 years of age a dog which has not tested positive for TgAA is unlikely to develop the disease and should remain clear for life. After the age of 6 years if thyroid problems are suspected the FT4 and TSH tests become more accurate indicators of thyroid disease.
Interpretation of Results
Results of greater than 35% are positive for TgAA
Results of 20-35% are inconclusive for TgAA
Results of less than 20% are negative for TgAA.
CLINICAL SIGNS OF CANINE HYPOTHYROIDISM
Alterations in Cellular Metabolism
lethargy weight gain
mental dullness cold intolerance
exercise intolerance mood swings
neurologic signs hyperexcitability
polyneuropathy stunted growth
seizures chronic infections
Neuromuscular Problems
weakness knuckling or dragging feet
stiffness muscle wasting
laryngeal paralysis megaesophagus
facial paralysis head tilt
tragic expression drooping eyelids
incontinence ruptured cruciate ligament
Dermatologic Diseases
dry, scaly skin and dandruff chronic offensive skin odor
coarse, dull coat bilaterally symmetrical hair loss
rat tail; puppy coat seborrhea with greasy skin
hyperpigmentation seborrhea with dry skin
pyoderma or skin infections myxedema
Reproductive Disorders
infertility prolonged interestrus interval
lack of libido absence of heat cycles
testicular atrophy silent heats
hypospermia pseudopregnancy
aspermia weak, dying or stillborn pups
Cardiac Abnormalities slow heart rate (bradycardia)
cardiac arrhythmias
cardiomyopathy
Gastrointestinal Disorders
constipation
diarrhea
vomiting
Hematologic Disorders
bleeding
bone marrow failure
low red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells, platelets
Ocular Diseases
corneal lipid deposits corneal ulceration
uveitis keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye
infections of eyelid glands Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome - (Meibomian gland)
Other Associated Disorders
IgA deficiency loss of smell (dysosmia)
loss of taste glycosuria
other endocrinopathies chronic active hepatitis
adrenal
pancreatic
parathyroid
Link to Thyroid Statistics from the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals is found HERE
....and
more Thyroid information can be found HERE
Research into Hypothyroidism as performed by clinical laboratories is ongoing.
UMBILICAL HERNIA
Umbilical hernias are quite common in Basenjis and are not a serious concern unless quite large. The umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies. An umbilical hernia is usually a portion of fat which protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring (belly button). In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows. Generally, by the time the pup is six months old the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own especially if the owner gently presses it back in with their finger or thumb repeatedly. In severe cases, the intestinal lining may protrude which can cause an intestinal blockage. In most cases the umbilical ring will eventually close, leaving a small lump of fatty tissue for a belly button. When lifting a puppy with an umbilical hernia a hand should be placed under its tummy for support.
If the hernia itself should appear red or inflamed, seek immediate medical attention. If the hernia should fail to close by one year of age and is large, it should be surgically repaired. If it is not large and there is no change, it should not present a problem & is usually be stitched up by the vet when the puppy is neutered.
PERSISTENT PUPILLARY MEMBRANE
PPM
Persistent Pupillary Membrane is NOT life threatening and is very common in Basenjis so should be considered when planning a breeding programme.
During foetal development, a fibrovascular tissue, the Pupillary Membrane, forms a layer across the front of the eye to form a blood supply to nourish the developing lens. Normally this temporary membrane deteriorates and is completely gone by the time the puppy is 14 days old.
When it does not deteriorate completely by 14 days of age, it is known as Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM).This condition is not progressive and does not require any treatment.
Iris to Iris strands of PPM generally cause no problems and may persist for several months before disappearing altogether. Iris sheets however can lead to blindness and if the ppm are attached to the cornea or lens the remaining strands may eventually lead to cataracts.
Examination for PPM should be done by a veterinary ophthalmologist through the use of a 'slit lamp' exam when the puppy is 2-4 months of age.
Coloboma
Coloboma is the complete or partial absence of part of the eye, usually the optic nerve disk in Basenjis. This can sometimes be associated with severe PPM. Dogs affected by Coloboma should not be bred since the mode of inheritance is not yet understood. Some Basenjis have optic nerves that are more deeply cupped than other breeds so a second opinion from an Opthamologist that is familiar with Basenji eyes is recommended if there is any doubt.
Our Results in a nutshell || Meet Our Dogs
