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Health Information for New Basenji Owners

Pinned Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • tanzaT

    @Buddys:

    I adopted him without any papers. The owner promised to send me the AKC papers, but never did…...I just want to find out if Uzie has the gene and/or propensity for Fanconi. Is this what I am supposed to do when he is about two years old? I need to know if he carries the gene and will get the disease. I still am a little confused....

    You need to order and do the test. It is a cheek swab that you order from OFA. Since he is a rescue, then you can just make up a registration number and use his call name as the registered name. Price of the test is 65.00.

    Here is the link: http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/fanconi.html

    Then click on the Order OFA DNA Test, scroll down to the Fanconi DNA and then click to add to your shopping cart

    Again since a rescue, just fill in the blanks as best as possible.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • ?

    Fantastic information! Ill print this list out for the timeframe info.

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  • kimykoK

    After doing Urine Test Strip tests for years, we had the Fanconi DNA test done on our girl. Now, she is a rescue dog (from an abusive puppy mill situation >:( grrr), and is fixed, but I was wanting to not have to do the urine test every month for the rest of her life, especially since we can no longer get the test strips locally.
    The test came back as "carrier," but not as "affected." According to the data included, the disease will never manifest and I no longer have to do the test strips. I am wondering if anyone else is in this situation. I want to trust what the paper said, but I am thinking of doing the urine test periodically anyway - is this overkill?
    Thank you for any responses.

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  • kimykoK

    Well, I've just read through some more information (sorry, I'm not that experienced at forums (I haven't even been on here in a loooong time!) and my first search confused me).
    So, people are generally still strip-testing frequently after having the test done, it seems. My girl is 8 1/2, I'll keep on keeping on! :)

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  • tanzaT

    @kimyko:

    Well, I've just read through some more information (sorry, I'm not that experienced at forums (I haven't even been on here in a loooong time!) and my first search confused me).
    So, people are generally still strip-testing frequently after having the test done, it seems. My girl is 8 1/2, I'll keep on keeping on! :)

    If they are tested with the Direct test and they are Clear or Carrier, no need to strip test

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • lisastewartL

    I do not strip test, we have the results from the direct test, the dogs status is not going to change. Next step is to get your PRA DNA test to find out if your dogs is at risk of blindness.

    Joe & Lisa Stewart

    Rolla, MO

    http://khursdogbed.com

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  • kimykoK

    Oh that's good to know - thank you! Here are her results - is this the direct test?

    http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1555268#animal

    I will get the other test done as well - thank you all so much for the information!

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  • kimykoK

    Okay - I've just read that all tests done after a certain date are direct… woo!! Thank you all so much!

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  • Chealsie508C

    It is the direct test and you do not need to retest with strips. Congrats on not being affected

    "I know I've found the breed for me because he totally turns my life upside down and I love it!"

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  • C

    Out of Africa, the Basenji dog breed was originally found in the Congo. He uses both scent and sight to hunt and was originally used to flush small game into a hunter's nets and to control village rodent populations.

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  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

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    P
    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
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    He's a boy. :) And he's neutered as of three weeks ago. He's only about 10 months old.
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    @tanza: LOL …. so hmm... great weather = higher Vet costs... makes perfect sense to me!!! LOL great weather equals more want to live there. More want to live there, drives real estate costs up. Increased real estate costs drives other expenses up. LOL, it does make some sense. But then, wth is up with NYC which has icky weather? Oh wait, massive overcrowding, never mind.
  • N

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    lvossL
    The fanconi test needs to be ordered from the OFA website, https://secure.offa.org/cart.html Have you talked to Nilo's breeder about health testing. Without pedigree information his tests alone don't provide a very complete picture since disorders like PRA are late onset.
  • B

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    tanzaT
    I agree Robyn, there is lots of mis information about Basenjis on some site out there but there are also sites that have the correct information. On think too is that many people will "read" only what they want to hear… but I am glad that she at least call to talk to someone that has them and also made that visit. When I get inquiries I always tell people, Please visit in person with Basenjis.....