Important Basenji Health Tests
There are 4 health tests that have been recommended by the Basenji Club of America as needed to obtain a Canine Health Information Certificate (CHIC) with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The four tests are Hips, Eyes, Thyroid, and Fanconi Marker Test. All test results for these four tests must be public for dogs to recieve a CHIC number.
HIP TESTING
Hip testing to obtain an OFA number can not by done until a dog is at least 24 months old, http://www.offa.org/hipinfo.html. The dog must have its hips x-rayed by a veterinarian and the x-rays submitted to OFA. The x-rays will then be graded and the grade sent to the owner. If the dog has a passing grade (Excellent, Good, or Fair) they are automatically listed in OFA's public database. Non-passing grades are only listed with owner permission. OFA recommends all breeders and buyers consider any dog without an OFA grade listed in the database to be dysplastic to error on the safe side.
EYE TESTING
Eye testing by a veterinary opthamologist is recommended by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)every year though it is not uncommon to see them done every other year when a basenji is younger (under 5 or 6) since most disorders are seen either at 10 weeks or after 5 or 6 in basenjis. CERF reports can be registered with CERF for public listing and are linked to a dog's OFA record if it has one.
THYROID TESTING
Thyroid testing can be done for the OFA registry after 12 months of age, http://www.offa.org/hipinfo.html. This requires a blood draw and submission to an OFA approved lab. It is recommended that thyroid testing for autoimmune thyroiditis is checked yearly until the age of 5 and then every other year after that.
FANCONI MARKER TESTING
The Fanconi Marker Test can be done as soon as the animal is able to give at least 3cc of blood. This is test result will automatically become public in the OFA database. Dogs must be registered with the Canine Phenome Project, http://www.caninephenome.org, in order to be tested. For pet basenjis, if the parents DNA status is unknown or 1 parent has not tested clear, it is highly recommended that this test be run. Early detection of this disease can help slow the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life of the animal.
OTHER TESTING
Other testing that may be done is Elbows, Patellas and Cardiac.
Elbows can be tested at the same time as hips, http://www.offa.org/elbowinfo.html. They require x-rays that are submitted to OFA and rated. There is a discount for submitting elbows with hips to OFA at the same time.
Patellas can be tested after 12 months old, http://www.offa.org/patluxinfo.html. This is aphysical examination performed by your veterinarian. All normal results are made public automatically, abnormal results are only made public by owner permission.
It is important that all owners submit their patella results regardless of the rating so the breed has accurate statistics to make decisions aboutthe seriousness of this issue in the breed and allocation of research money.
Cardiac testing can be done after 12 months of age, http://www.offa.org/cardiacinfo.html. Normal results are automatically listed in the OFA database. Abnormal results are only made public with owner permission. It is important that anyone who has had this testing done submit results to OFA so the breed has accurate statistics to base decisions about the seriousness of the issue in the breed and the allocation of research money.
Thank you lvoss for compiling this sticky!
I just logged into the CPP fine. You might want to try one more time. If that doesn't work then send an email to the Contact Us address.
We have added an anonymous poll to this thread.
At what age can the fancolni test be done? Also at what age should the hip, eye and thyroid be done?
Found the information.
Just a question. I thought I read somewhere that Basenji thyroid readings may be different than other breeds, but still within the 'normal' range for a Basenji; I think it was in reference to an email from Dr. Gonto. Is there anything posted anywhere concerning what is considered normal for our breed.
Ty is now 11 years old and from reading here and taking all the information and suggestions to heart, I have requested his annual physical include a full blood panel and thyroid be done for a base line as he's still in good health and we don't have that info on file.
My vet is wonderful and always agrees to whatever I suggest. She usually then does research on her professional sites, prints off and sends me the info in the mail. I just thought I'd ask here for additional info as I did various forum site searches and google searches and didn't find what I was looking for.
Other than blood and thyroid panels, any suggestions on what to have done for an aging B.'s annual physical?? We want him around for a long, long time.
Thanks.
Typically what is considered normal "low" range for other breeds is too low for Basenjis. Remember that only a full Thyroid panel will give you the full picture and that usually is not done with a Vet's full blood work. Typically needs to be sent (blood sample) to a separate Lab… Always good to have a full panel when they are in good health as a base line.. and sometimes with these elders, you will find the beginnings of problems even though they seem to be in good health....
You can read more about Thyroid testing on Dr. Dodds site http://www.hemopet.org/services.html
This is what Dr. Dodds recently gave me for normal sighthound ranges for thyroid.
Optimal Sighthound Levels
Free T4 2S 7-20 pmol/L
TSH 35 mU/L
TgAA <20 %
Total T4 13-39 nmol/L
Total T3 1-2.5 nmol/L
Free T3 2-10 pmol/L
T4AA < 10 %
T3AA < 5 %
Thank you both for the info. I'll be sure to read, print out, and research more, but my trust in this site and the posters has never let me down. You're all wonderful.
If the test are at all questionable, just send Dr. Dodds an e-mail (Hemopet) with your results and she will give you her opinion. She has always answered me right away, and my vet went with her recommendations.
This is what Dr. Dodds recently gave me for normal sighthound ranges for thyroid.
Optimal Sighthound Levels
Free T4 2S 7-20 pmol/L
TSH 35 mU/L
TgAA <20 %
Total T4 13-39 nmol/L
Total T3 1-2.5 nmol/L
Free T3 2-10 pmol/L
T4AA < 10 %
T3AA < 5 %
Thanks for posting this! Tillo's bloodwork is also being done at the moment, so it's good to know what the ranges are for sighthounds!
Oh, its sad to see 4 % have done no health testing.
Please, if your part of that group, get your b's fanconis tested.
Its so very important to KNOW!!!!!!!
The parents of our boys both tested clear and we're going to test Chafuko very soon for hips, eyes en theroid at our vet.
For Buana everyting was tested very good, fanconi we're going to test that also for ourselves, just for know everyting for sure.
A lot of testing over here, too 
Got Thabos thyroid-results today: normal and TgAA negative 
Zuri's the same from last year.
Zuris eyes are clear - only a minor MPP.
Thabo will be tested in May.
Hips and elbows of both will be x-rayed on monday (give us some positive thoughts!!!).
And the Fanconi linked-marker-test ist back in USA again and we are waiting for the result.
But no fears there: All parents are clear!
Count me frustrated. I have my password for the Canine Phenome Project, and it is auto saved with nortons but tells me wrong. sigh… now 2 hrs no response. Oh well.
To request the Fanconi Test, your dog must first be registered in the Canine Phenome Project (CPP) and complete the breed questionnaires. Select the Fanconi Test from the menu and transfer to the OFA website to order a testing kit ($65.00 US funds, payable online via credit card.) The BHE has no connection to the testing process, all questions regarding alternate payment processes should be directed to OFA. <<
Okay heard back..
You can order the Fanconi test on the OFA website without entering info in the CPP – go to www.OFFA.org, click on OFA DNA TESTS, and then follow the link that says ORDER AN OFA DNA TEST. When the list of tests comes up, scroll down to FANCONI SYNDROME, click on the shopping cart, and place your order.<<<
Does anyone know the exact price(or at least a ruff guess) on how much all four tests cost? I know fanconi is 65. But what do the other tests run? id greatly appreciate any information. Am looking to get sophie all completed. We are ordering her fanconi today. Hopefully it will get here soon and then when she turns two (next year) we will have all the rest of the testing done. but i was curious how much it costs and if there is a way to do it before two or, since i hear it may not be accurate, does one have to wait until two. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Does anyone know the exact price(or at least a ruff guess) on how much all four tests cost? I know fanconi is 65. But what do the other tests run? id greatly appreciate any information. Am looking to get sophie all completed. We are ordering her fanconi today. Hopefully it will get here soon and then when she turns two (next year) we will have all the rest of the testing done. but i was curious how much it costs and if there is a way to do it before two or, since i hear it may not be accurate, does one have to wait until two. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Depends on where you live. You can get that information by calling and asking your Vet. Same for Eye exams, you need to find an Ophth Vet (your regular Vet should be able to give you a referral) and then call and ask them the price. You can find out the cost to submit the tests to OFA on their website. As a point of reference, here in No California for Hips, Elbows (for OFA) and Thyroid, 2yrs ago it was around 350.00. Cerf exams are around 50.00 and then there is the cost to file the results
We've already done the Fanconi testing for Blaze and will do the thyroid testing as recommended in the first post once he's 12 months old.
Blaze is already neutered and we don't plan on doing any competition with him (agility, lure coursing), so how important would it be to do the eye, hips, and other testing?
Eye information, IMO, is important even to pet owners. If their eyes are changing, changing the vision as well, there will sometimes be behavior changes. If you know something is going on then you can help them to adapt. You wouldn't need to test every year, just every few years so you know if anything is changing.
With hips, it is a one time test, it just gives you information so you can be prepared. HD is not a big problem in the breed but it does exist.
