Zoe - BRAT Rescue

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

I think again, I am speculating that they want to wait until their might be a more compressive test.
I have had my b's tested and recommend that anyone who can afford it test their dogs.
But many pet folks are still not up on this bloodwork info.
So, strip testing is something they can do at home and its not expensive.

Except that strip testing is subjective… and it can get expensive if you think about the fact that you get 50 strips to a bottle and they expire 6 months after opening....
So for my money, even the linkage test (unless they do find the gene and have the direct test this year) for my money is a better choice. It is a one time outlay of money.

[lvoss]

Actually, there was talk amongst those in the rescue community that felt any DNA testing for Fanconi should be done by the new adopter since being tested as Probably Afflicted would hurt a dog's chances of being adopted. I don't think an official stand has been taken but there are many who are against testing rescues prior to adoption.

[sharronhurlbut]

Pat, I think everyone should do the blood work for their b's. In an ideal world.
But those who aren't going to or are waiting for it to be better test , strip testing is the way to go.
I guess I don't see this as a "pricey" thing to do to make sure your aware of anything going wrong with your dog.
I do know many of the rescue folks get on line and share the strips when they are getting a month away from expiring.
I would hope that some folks who have money issues can give up a latte or 2 to make sure the dogs they love are ok.

[sharronhurlbut]

Ok, I am one post behind.
Ms, lvoss, where did you get this info?

[tanza]

@lvoss:

Actually, there was talk amongst those in the rescue community that felt any DNA testing for Fanconi should be done by the new adopter since being tested as Probably Afflicted would hurt a dog's chances of being adopted. I don't think an official stand has been taken but there are many who are against testing rescues prior to adoption.

And I have also heard this…. however that said, even if the adopter tested and found probably afflicted... what is to say that they would not just turn the dog back to rescue? Just a question, I am not saying people would or will....

[sharronhurlbut]

I don't know re giving a dog back.Its not a sweater you got from Sears..
I do know that breeders who have tried to have healthy dogs have had fanconis crop up, now with the test, they can be informed. IMO everyone should test.
I guess this test should be required on dogs from pet shops as well…as they are "suspose" to be quality and after all they are AKC or whatever..., sigh.
Gag..yes, we all know that isn't true.
Sorry guys. I am sure that if we all had a test that would make sure our dogs lived the 20 yrs we wanted, we would all do it.
But none of us have any idea of our own life lines, and yes, testing is the way to go.
I can't bash BRAT.
I think they have helped so many basenjis. Many breed clubs have taken on the 'rescue' task as well. Yea... more rescue is better.
We can't have enough folks doing rescue and if someone had a better idea, or way to do it than BRAT, then I will help you as well.
Lets focus on getting the info on the next test and working to share that info.
Again. jmo.

[lvoss]

It has been discussed on a couple of lists when the test was first announced. Rescue people expressed great worry about testing dogs prior to adoption because they felt the results could make it more difficult to adopt a dog even if it was at that point in time healthy and may not become symptomatic for many years. Many stated that they did not think they would support testing dogs prior to placement, they may since have changed their minds since the test has been out for several months now.

As for Pat's comment, there is nothing that will stop adopters from returning a dog to rescue if they later find it is afflicted. I think the hope of some is that by that time the adopters will have bonded with the dog and will want to see it through no matter what challenges may come.

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, BRAT takes dogs back.
As do the legit breeders. That is the "right" thing to do.
As the testing has been on hold for a while, as they are working for something better, maybe this is an issue that should be put on hold?
Myself, I want all the info I can on the dogs I love. I want the good and bad news so I can plan to take "care" if needed.
As the blood tests are on hold, I think the strip testing is a very valid way to make sure your aware of anything new happening in your dogs body.
I test the first day of every month.
Its a good habit to get into.

[lvoss]

I have tested all of my dogs except one and that is because she has only just turned a year and both parents have already tested probably clear. She will be tested though, I was just hoping they may have a direct gene test soon.

I think it is important that people understand that even though the test we have is only a Linked Marker test it is still very reliable. Yes, the test is on hold until spring and people should continue to strip test. It is important for all owners to know that they can submit blood at any time to the Canine Phenome Project and then request the test at a later time. My one dog that has not been tested already has blood in the Phenome Project.

Another thing to remind everyone, it is much better to strip test your dogs more than one day a month. 3 or 4 days in a row is better since in the very early stages of Fanconi, many dogs spill intermittently.

[sharronhurlbut]

Do you have to test a b that has 2 clear parents?

Thank you for saying that testing a few days in a row is the way to go.

When my first fanconis boy started drinking water, I just thought he was needing water..of course, had I known about strip testing, I would have been aware before he started that behavior.

[achandl2]

I thought the last thing I heard was that the University who does the testing asked that only breeders should be submitting blood samples because it does take time to do the testing and they are backed up as it is. Unless they changed it, the Canine Phenome Project is focusing on testing dogs that will be contributing to the gene pool at least at this point. You can submit a sample but I don't think results will be available very quickly (or at all at least for now) for those who are not planning to breed their dogs. Since all BRAT dogs are required to be spayed/neutered, contributions to the future genetics of the breed shouldn't be a problem with these rescue dogs.

My understanding is that BRAT does strip test all BRAT dogs prior to them being adopted, although I'm not sure how often for those under three years of age. If they are spilling glucose in the urine then BRAT pays for the gas test and gets the dog on a proper fanconi protocol.

[lvoss]

Actually, the Canine Phenome Project is for all basenjis to donate DNA via blood. The more dogs in the databank the better the odds are that the lab will have the samples they need in order to find the gene for the disorders they are researching. In order for samples to be the most useful, the owners of the dogs should keep their survey information, especially health information up to date.

The lab did ask when the test was first announced in July that breeders that were breeding this year test first but opened the testing to all after about 8 weeks. Testing has been suspended for about 2 months because the lab had a larger response than expected and they would like to find the direct gene rather than just a marker. Testing will begin again in the spring. High risk dogs should be tested as well as potential breeding stock.

[lvoss]

@sharronhurlbut:

Do you have to test a b that has 2 clear parents?

OFA's recommendation is that when a linked marker test is used, all dogs that may be bred be tested prior to breeding. With a direct gene test, you can obtain a "clear by parentage" designation only if both parents are tested and have an AKC DNA profile and the offspring have a profile to confirm parentage. Even then the next generation they recommend testing again, in case of mutation.

[sharronhurlbut]

Thanks for than info.
I was not aware that mutation was an issue.