I read something recently about the whole mercury in tuna thing that I found very interesting and very educational. Before you ask, no, it was not info put out by the fishing industry. It was a book I was reading a little out of that was about the health benefits of a kosher diet. It stated that there is something neat about tuna fish that I hadn't heard before. In tuna, there seems to be some chemical or property which lends itself to the purpose of removing mercury from our system. Because it has been a little while and I didn't pay close enough attention I cannot tell you what this property that the tuna has is and I am sorry for that. I'm sure it would be wise to further research information about it. But it was published information that suggested that eating tuna fish actually reduced one's likelyhood for mercury poisoning, in spite of what the mercury test results indicate the tuna to have. I guess this is sort of like how they are now telling us that the use of sun block may actually be increasing our risk of skin cancer. Personally, I think we will all eventually die from something, and over-worrying something like this is not a direction I will choose to go. But that is a decision which I have made only for myself, you will have to make your own. Perhaps some of you out there are already aware of this tuna/mercury study and can share your knowledge with us.
Isis update :(
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well i took everyones advice from here– i contacted brat of socal (located in acton) and she referred me to a dr who has had basenji experience. and i got the strips for isis... it turned from pink to purple... if they strips are correct she has fonconi... i even had my husband test it-- and his stayed pink.
i am a little crushed.
but thank you everyone for the advice.... i'll keep you posted
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Oh, I am so sorry, but honey, your so lucky to be in this time with the info we need to know re fanconis and treatments.
There is a whole list devoted just to fanconis b's and their care and treatment.
Remember, your dog doesn't know she is sick and with help from you, she can live a long, long life.
So, this is the lesson your to learn, that the dogs live day by day, and we should as well. I do believe that is what our dogs teach us.
You will find the info you need and your b will be happy and with you for a long time to come.
hugs, hugs, hugs. -
Oh, my. Hoping for the best for you and and your girl. Basenji experts: are there other diagnoses that would give a positive glucose test, or just Fanconi?
Our new girl seems fine, but as far as I can tell has not been tested. We'll be making our first vet appt this week – thanks so much for the good info on this site about a basenji-savvy vet in my area -- and registering so she can be tested. It's scary to even think about, but Sharon is right: knowledge is power.
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Since Isis is spilling sugar in the urine the next step will be have a blood test to rule out diabetes. If her blood sugar is normal then blood gases will be the next step to determine what supplements Isis will need.
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I am so sorry to hear of Isis's diagnosis. There is a lot of support here on the forums and also on the Fanconi Basenji List, I think terry can send you the information about how to sign up. Keep us updated.
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thank you everyone. yes i am taking her to the vet tomorrow morning. i am glad that i am going to a vet with B experence– to me that is making a lot of difference. i am really sensitive with medical stuff & i can't even grasp my mind what is happening to our baby... a bit shocking. i was tricking myself all day that she had a urinary infection...
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I am so sorry to hear that your baby is sick. In case you dont already have it, here is a link to the Porotocol For your vet by Dr. Gondo. Fanconi Protocol It is helpful to have for your vet, though if they have B experience they most likley will have it. All our prayers are with your family at this time.
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Do you know her breeding so that you can tell her breeder? Not sure if you said where you got her?
And there is lots of support out there from people that have Fanconi dogs.. even a couple here on this forum.. the main thing is if you catch it early on…
Good luck and keep us up on the latest and you might want to print off the protocol just in case and take it with you. You can find it at
http://www.basenji.org/?q=node/64 -
yeah we just got off the phone with the breeder. she said that the father had it and that the father was actually given to her by another breeder. she was shocked to discover that the father had it too… for she never had a dog with it. he lived up to 2 years after being diagnosed. apparently isis siblings have it too, one of them recently too... printed out the FP- thank you.
thanks again for the support! she is my first dog & i find that i am going through a lot of mixed emotions!
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So sorry to hear about Isis. But lots of dogs are doing really well on the protocol; hopefully she will adjust easily, and go back to life as normal
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Yes, don't give up hope, there is a great fanconis list where you can learn all you need to do for your basenji.
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{{{hugs}}} I'm so sorry. What a hard thing to be faced with; but you are very lucky that there is a great deal of information and support for Fanconi. I know there are many dogs who've lived a long time w/it so don't get too discouraged.
This is my greatest fear. Jazzy tested as "probably affected", and her mom has Fanconi {diagnosed shortly after she had Jazzy's litter}. She's apparently doing pretty well, now three years into it.
Bryan keeps telling me not to "fear" the possibility of a diagnosis, but to check Jazzy regularly and be prepared. She may never develop Fanconi. But I can't help it – I'm afraid for her.
But, as Sharron said, SHE doesn't know there may be a problem, so I need to take a cue from her!Best of luck!
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I am praying for you and your furbaby, I am so glad you have a protocol and info on this wonderful website filled with wonderful, understanding Basenji lovers. We are all in your and your baby's corner, please keep us informed.
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I'm sorry to hear about Isis. Like Jazzy's mom, I live with the same fear as Apache has tested "probably affected"….. I hold my breath every time I strip test him. I have come to know many people with Fanconi afflicted dogs and have seen and heard just how well so many of them do on the protocol. A friend of mine told me it changes your life much more then it does the dogs.
I pray all goes well with Isis...hang in there.
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My hope to all of you with "probably affected" is that they never develope fanconi… but at least by catching it early the outlook is better for most dogs. IMO, I think it is still worth the money to have blood gases done to see if there are any chances.... but again, just IMO
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My hope to all of you with "probably affected" is that they never develope fanconi… but at least by catching it early the outlook is better for most dogs. IMO, I think it is still worth the money to have blood gases done to see if there are any chances.... but again, just IMO
Don't the blood gases just give an idea of where you are in terms of development of Fanconi - I mean, they can let you know earlier than strip testing if your dog is affected?
They don't let you know if your dog will ever develop Fanconi, right?
So, you'd have to have periodic gases done to check for possible progression, right? How much would something like that run?
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I think maybe Pat meant 'see if there are any CHANGES'…not chances.
And I do think that it might be possible to catch the disease with blood gasses earlier than test strips? I am not sure...but because people are now doing them in reverse of the traditional order (because they have suspicions becuase of the genetic test); I think I have heard people say the blood gasses were altered before the urine was.
I don't know how much that might cost...probably mid range expense....less than $100, but more than $25??? would b my guess
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Don't the blood gases just give an idea of where you are in terms of development of Fanconi - I mean, they can let you know earlier than strip testing if your dog is affected?
They don't let you know if your dog will ever develop Fanconi, right?
So, you'd have to have periodic gases done to check for possible progression, right? How much would something like that run?
I know people that using the DNA test and having it come back as affected, did blood gases. There were changes that would indicate the onset of Fanconi, but they during strip testing had not started spilling, or were doing it only sometimes that the stipping missed it.
So IMO, yes, I think it can tell you earlier that they are affected. What I don't know is if Dr. Gonto recommends any supplements at that point….
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I know people that using the DNA test and having it come back as affected, did blood gases. There were changes that would indicate the onset of Fanconi, but they during strip testing had not started spilling, or were doing it only sometimes that the stipping missed it.
So IMO, yes, I think it can tell you earlier that they are affected. What I don't know is if Dr. Gonto recommends any supplements at that point….
So, if you do the blood gases, and they come back okay does that mean that the dog is not developing Fanconi YET?
If that is the case, how often would you suggest having blood gases done?
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((Hugs)) to both you and Isis. Please keep us posted on the developments…
