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Basenji Breed Predisposition and Genetically Inherited Disorders

Pinned Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I'm so sorry your baby is going through such pain, and I hope his suffering is relieved soon, but I've got to ask the other posters:

    Granted, I have not done much research regarding acupuncture or chiropractic methods, but with all due respect, how can either acupuncture or chiropractic methods relieve the pain that may be due to a tumor that is causing the pain? I can see how chiropractic methods could work for stuff that is out of alignment due to physical activity or inactivity. (No comment on acupuncture as I have no idea how it works.) If the alleged tumor is pressing on nerves, how do either of those practices stop the tumor from "working" those nerves?

  • @gbroxon:

    Granted, I have not done much research regarding acupuncture or chiropractic methods, but with all due respect, how can either acupuncture or chiropractic methods relieve the pain that may be due to a tumor that is causing the pain?

    Good question.

    Acupunture can relieve pain through stimulating pressure points and this is something that I would recommend looking into.

    If a tumor is pressing on vertebra, it could knock them out of alignment. A chirpopractor could possibly help with this.

  • I would assume that someone who had a dog hurting like this would have had a simple x ray to show spine/neck allignment .
    That would show something other than nerve issues.
    I guess I was assuming that was done.
    If not, it should be the very first thing, IMO.

  • Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.

  • It is unclear the origin of Fanconi Syndrome as prior to the internt - keeping track of the health issues was just not as easy as it is now. There is a school of thought that it might have been originially a mutated gene perhaps from environmental toxins. I don't know as anyone has ever been able to know that for sure - if there ever is a genetic marker - that answer may come out of the research related to that.

    I would also say that the gene pool being limited to start with and then further limited when some other diseases showed up (HA & PRA for example). When those were identified there was no knowledge that HA could be so easily bred around and PRA was mis-or over - identified in the beginning because of the basenji hyper-reflective eye that LOOKS like PRA but is not. A large number of dogs was eliminated from the gene pool because of that. Now that we have a bigger knowledge base and testing and protocols for these, fanconi's and other health issues, we can look at the individual African dogs with knowledge of their actual health rather than in the earlier imports just assuming that if they are from African they are healthier.

    With the combination of turmoil and war in Africa as well as previously isolated areas now being more accessiblt - it is important to acquire additional genetics while they are still largely not influenced by other dog breeds. We can now do this with some knowledge and science to make sure we are not adding the same things we are trying to avoid.

    Obviously others have their opinions or fine points but this is the general overview.

  • @NicholasDenis:

    Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.

    The reasons for opening the stud book are given in BCOA's proposal to AKC which can be viewed at, http://www.basenji.org/NativeStock/Application/BasenjiStudbookPetition.pdf

  • Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
    IMO.

  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
    IMO.

    I think that depends… while there are some very nice newly imported dogs that should be admitted, there are as many "nice village dogs" that some people would like to push to be admitted. So the key is the evaluation of these dogs.... before they are considered acceptable.

  • Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?

  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?

    BCOA has a panel to "judge" the dogs on their merit.. and then if they receive a certain rating it will be up to the membership to vote them in…

    My point was that there are people out there with "village dogs" and even plans to bring more in... that would like to try and get them into the stud books... if they do or don't.... isn't the question, in my mind, it is the fact that any old dog with a curly tail should be considered....

  • Some of the links to the info sites are no longer available. Are there any sites other than the basenji.org one?

  • listed disorders for which there is a general consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed. Where the mode of inheritance is known, this information is included on the linked disease

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    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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