New DNA Test for one form of PRA in Basenjis

[tanza]

Results are back for C-Me, Franie and Trip - all Normal/Clear for PRA!!! It is very interesting with the results that are coming in, there are 20 carriers and so far one affected out of 53 Basenjis tested and posted.

[lisastewart]

With nearly half of the number tested so far not being clear, I would encourage everyone to test their dogs in addition to getting their yearly eye exams. We get all 6 of our dogs examined every yr at a canine ophthalmologist in St Louis. He gives a multiple dog discount that is comparable to the prices offered at the dog show clinics

[tanza]

I agree Lisa…. better to be prepared just in case. One thing I would be really curious about is if Sonny would test Affected, since he is blind from PRA. And the only reason that I would wonder is since this DNA test is for only one kind (but 50% of PRA in Basenjis) this is the one he has.

And certainly this is a must for breeders! Anything we can do to limit health concerns is a big plus. Waiting for C-Me's pup's Dad to be tested and then will do her pups. But at worst they would only be Carriers.

[lisastewart]

I am very happy to know the status is mine this early in the yr, now to get the potential sites tested to make sure we have the right match for breeding Tempest this fall. Fortunately Xander came back as normal so his planned breeding looks good:)

[tanza]

@lisastewart:

I am very happy to know the status is mine this early in the yr, now to get the potential sites tested to make sure we have the right match for breeding Tempest this fall. Fortunately Xander came back as normal so his planned breeding looks good:)

For sure on that! Who is Xander being bred to, if you care to share? And any thoughts yet about Tempest's future husband?

[lisastewart]

No idea on Tempest as she came back a PRA carrier, so now we have to wait on results from the short list of sires. I leave the breeding and placing of the puppies up to Tad as I don't plan to keep one of these. We will want a grand pup in 6-8 yrs. too many things still to do with the 6 dogs we have to get a new puppy till these are older. Hopefully Garbo will be Xander's mate this yr.

[DebraDownSouth]

Since the test is only for one type, which is a start, if she is a carrier then you're still stuck with a lot of database analysis/info/word of mouth on any PRA in the sire's side. I know YOU know that, but anyone reading might think that just the PRA test available now means all clear. She could actually be a carrier for other types, as could clear dogs, etc.

Pat do you think the high numbers represent the breed or is it that those who have reasons to be concerned already are the first ones testing and hence the high numbers?

[tanza]

I think the high number does represent the breed. Could be that some if it is because people are/were concerned, but I don't believe that is the entire reason. Many that have tested are the ones that they are considering breeding this coming breeding season. I tested mine because I wanted to know, as I don't have breeding plans for this coming year. Also wanted to know for the pups that I did have last fall.

What I find interesting (or disconcerting) is that we have not heard about much PRA in Basenji in the last several years… so does these high numbers say that Breeders were not sharing the informtion that there was/is PRA in their Basenjis? Just not having eye exams done on their Basenjis? Or like Fanconi, while we didn't have a DNA test, as a breed we did pretty good job of "guessing"? I hate the thought that it could be just not sharing the information......

[DebraDownSouth]

Pat, I am not in the circles that would get info, but with those high numbers and YOU not hearing, it makes me really concerned people are pretending and no testing or not telling. it is sort of like Cavalier breeders who told buyers their dogs had NO history of heart problems, then you find out they bred early and stopped breeding AND testing before the dogs were even 5 (typically they find MVD in HALF of all Cavaliers by the age of five). Not testing isn't the same as not having issues. So I knew this breeder who neutered all her dogs, 8 generations into the breed, and bought new dogs out of, you know I don't now remember where she imported from– because THEIR DOGS didn't have the high rates. Guess what? They did. They just weren't testing.

As a side note, it was the main reason we didn't get one for Leora to show, and how we ended up with Basenjis. Let's be honest, basenjis are a much better fit.

[tanza]

Many of us have the same thoughts due to the high Carrier numbers for this one type of PRA….

[ownedbyspencer]

Is this a test I should have for Ava at one year?

[tanza]

@ownedbyspencer:

Is this a test I should have for Ava at one year?

You can do it anytime, like Fanconi DNA, it is just a cheek swab that you order from OFA.

[ownedbyspencer]

Thanks for letting me know! I had no idea it was a cheek swab. I suppose I should have the Fanconi test for Ava, too, even though she should be, at worst, a carrier,

[tanza]

@ownedbyspencer:

Thanks for letting me know! I had no idea it was a cheek swab. I suppose I should have the Fanconi test for Ava, too, even though she should be, at worst, a carrier,

Never hurts to that the tests done even if Clear or Carrier by parentage for Fanconi, the more data the better. And for the PRA test, not enough data yet to know if could be Clear/Carrier or Affected by parentage. I forget now what her breeding is/

[lisastewart]

I must admit, I am on my 10th basenji now, and for those that finished in the ring, or were strickly pets, I only did an initial eye test vs a yearly in the 80's and 90s. The importance of testing really was not stressed by the breeders of my first 3 dogs, nor was it widely publicized that yearly testing for pets should be done. It is never mentioned at a vet visit, wish vets would educate owners on eye testing.

I would bet that many breeders do not know the current eye status of the dogs that went to pet homes. Many dogs get around quite well with fading eyesight and the owners may not even realize they have an issue.

[tanza]

@lisastewart:

I must admit, I am on my 10th basenji now, and for those that finished in the ring, or were strickly pets, I only did an initial eye test vs a yearly in the 80's and 90s. The importance of testing really was not stressed by the breeders of my first 3 dogs, nor was it widely publicized that yearly testing for pets should be done. It is never mentioned at a vet visit, wish vets would educate owners on eye testing.

I would bet that many breeders do not know the current eye status of the dogs that went to pet homes. Many dogs get around quite well with fading eyesight and the owners may not even realize they have an issue.

So very true Lisa… I even know breeders that had necropsy's done to find out why a dog passed on, only to be told by the Vet that the dog was blind from PRA and most likely had been for a number of years. They had no clue. While I ask that my puppy owners do an eye exam at 1yr and if no problems, every two years till age 10, every year after 10. Some do, some do not.... And your right about regular Vets, they rarely if ever talk about eye exams from a certified Vet in that field. My ears "prick" when I hear people talk about losing or poor eye sight at night, which can indicate the beginning of PRA = night blindness.

[ownedbyspencer]

@tanza:

Never hurts to that the tests done even if Clear or Carrier by parentage for Fanconi, the more data the better. And for the PRA test, not enough data yet to know if could be Clear/Carrier or Affected by parentage. I forget now what her breeding is/

Her father is cleared and her mother is a probable carrier, so Ava has a 50/50 of being either a clear or carrier, but not AFS. The Fanconi test would be a formality, IIRC, and I'm going to do it because I'd like to know. IDT either parent has had the PRA test yet.

[CrazySenji]

Elliot's just came back clear

[tanza]

@CrazySenji:

Elliot's just came back clear

Great news

[etzbseder]

How long did you all have to wait for the test results?