My biggest problem is that BRAT still lists their strip test result so that it makes it seem like they are testing and their adopters don't necessarily know or understand the difference. So they get a dog that says "Fanconi tested? Yes, Negative" and do not realize that this statement was only good for the day it was strip tested and says nothing about whether this dog may be symptomatic later in its life. If BRAT is not going to test then they need to put a LARGE disclaimer next to this statement on their forms that says "DOGS ARE STRIP TESTED ONLY. RESULTS ONLY INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WAS SYMPTOMATIC ON THE DAY TESTED AND DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WILL BECOME AFFECTED IN ITS LIFETIME." Without this statement their forms are misleading and if people think the dog is "tested" so they are not testing then they are unlikely to catch the disease early if the dog does become symptomatic.
That's fair. Or at least something that says strip tested as opposed to just fanconi tested negative. I will suggest that.
Originally Posted by lvoss
My biggest problem is that BRAT still lists their strip test result so that it makes it seem like they are testing and their adopters don't necessarily know or understand the difference. So they get a dog that says "Fanconi tested? Yes, Negative" and do not realize that this statement was only good for the day it was strip tested and says nothing about whether this dog may be symptomatic later in its life. If BRAT is not going to test then they need to put a LARGE disclaimer next to this statement on their forms that says "DOGS ARE STRIP TESTED ONLY. RESULTS ONLY INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WAS SYMPTOMATIC ON THE DAY TESTED AND DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WILL BECOME AFFECTED IN ITS LIFETIME." Without this statement their forms are misleading and if people think the dog is "tested" so they are not testing then they are unlikely to catch the disease early if the dog does become symptomatic.That's fair. Or at least something that says strip tested as opposed to just fanconi tested negative. I will suggest that.
I agree on that being better verbage as well..
I think some people are missing the point of rescue.
While I am not an expert, I do qualify as a Basenji lover for the last 17 years. That makes me an expert in Basenji love!:)
Would I still have adopted Hunter if he had fanconi? Absolutely. Is there a chance that my otherwise healthy 1 1/2 year old pup could test positive down the road? Absolutley again. Could I buy a basenji from a breeder and have it test positive down the road? I'm pretty sure there is a small percentage. Could my 7 year old that I got from someone placing an ad in the paper (gasp) :eek:test positive? Absolutely.
I adopted to give a dog a home. Healthy or not, I showed unconditional love.
There are no guarantees in life, any life. When you love, you know you will have your heartbroken. It is part of the cirlcle of life. Fanconi or not, does it really matter in the big picture?
My baby was tested probable infected do I love her any less, NO. I had her a little over a week when I found out and I could have given her back but I was attached and loved her and am willing to do my best for her. Since I have never had to deal with fanconi I dont know what those who have go through. I just hope that I stand up to the challenge. Now as far as taking in a dog knowing that this is their fate I cant say that I would be willing to do that right now. Maybe after I know what I'm facing I might be willingly adopt a dog knowing they are infected it all depends on how well I deal with it when the time comes ( hopefully that time is much later). I know I never adopt lightly, to me its a forever commitment the good and the bad. I'm still am thinking about adopting from bratt but having to face the unkown with another dog is scary. You can say I can do this, but until you go through it you never really know what you are made of. For you who are made of the right stuff bless you and the dogs you care for.
I know its easy to say you would, but honestly, how many people would really reach out and adopt a dog with Fanconi who have experienced the real thing?
The same applies to biting dogs or dogs with other neurological or medical and/or behavioral problems. It would most people stop and think hard about what they are getting themselves into.
I think its common knowledge whether its the Basenji Breed or any other, if there are medical issues that are known that will affect the quality of life of the pet and also greatly impact the life of a prospective owner both financially and emotionally then prospective owners are going to think twice when they also have options of obtaining dogs without these issues. Although it may sound cruel and harsh, I think this is reality.
How many of you would adopt a Bulldog with a Hemiverterbrae which in most cases will cost thousands of dollars to surgically correct? If with the surgery there is no guarantee that the dog will be healthy or even will be able to walk on all 4 legs. Many Dashshunds end up with back problems and Golden Retrievers have a very high incidence of Cancer, Osteosarcoma to be specific. This is why its very important to research the breed you are interested in so you understand the potential problems and how they can affect your life and your pets. Even then its a crap shoot because anything can happen.
If there were plenty of people out there willing to rescue a Basenji that is known to have Fanconi, then Brat would have a waiting list and finding these dogs homes simply would not be an issue. We all know this is simply not the case.
Jason
Because I feel it is unfair to both the dog and the human to place a dog without doing a DNA Fanconi test so that the potential adopter knows what they may or may not be getting into… maybe a solution would be to explain the DNA test fully to potential adopters and give them to opportunity to have the test done at their cost?... We all know that if the test is "Affected" will put the adoption in danger but in my opinion the reality of it is that if someone adopts a dog that developes Fanconi that person would most likely never adopt again.. ... If it was me... and this happened.. I don't know if I could trust a organization that has not done all they can to provide truthful information regarding the health of that dog.
It is a double edged sword... but for anyone that has had an Affected Basenji knows the challenges of dealing with the care and the cost of these Basenjis.
Pat the way you have just put this into words today I agree with you all the way. The way I see it some people will get "rid" of sick dog. So sad when dog becomes homeless to me even more sad when they are also sick.
Rita Jean
Like I said, it is a hard decision.. and don't get me wrong, I think that on the whole BRAT does a great job and wish as they do that they would be "put" out of business… And I really do understand the concerns if tested Affected.. and chances of adoption... but this is a real hot "button" with me... And I doubt there will ever be an easy answer...
Like I said, it is a hard decision.. and don't get me wrong, I think that on the whole BRAT does a great job and wish as they do that they would be "put" out of business… And I really do understand the concerns if tested Affected.. and chances of adoption... but this is a real hot "button" with me... And I doubt there will ever be an easy answer...
I agree with you Pat. When I was in the process of adopting Buddy I asked several times if he was Fanconi tested. The question was not answered after several emails. Only after I went to pick him up in talking the answer was "we can't afford it". I think that may be true and that they feel people won't want to adopt the dog if they do test and it's results are "probably affected".
How many rescue organizations across America does test for the various breed related afflictions..I wonder.
It can't be just BRAT that is opting not to do tests that are somewhat crucial, due to the fact that, A) they cost money and 
the dog wouldn't get adopted if the truth was on a piece of paper..
I am just wondering..
I understand what has been posted and agree, but yet I don't, it is like a double edged sword..
I hope I never get a fanconi afflected dog, but yet who's to say it won't get hypothyroidism or hip problems, or eye issues or ..the list goes on. You never know, even if you get a dog from a very reputable breeder what might happen..of course if you go through a breeder, and I mean a real breeder that tests and all, the odds are less, but are you truly ever out of the woods, as far as the chance..not just for fanconi, but all the other ailments they can get?
just wondering and typing out loud..so to speak.
How many rescue organizations across America does test for the various breed related afflictions..I wonder.
It can't be just BRAT that is opting not to do tests that are somewhat crucial, due to the fact that, A) they cost money and
I am just wondering..
I understand what has been posted and agree, but yet I don't, it is like a double edged sword..
I hope I never get a fanconi afflected dog, but yet who's to say it won't get hypothyroidism or hip problems, or eye issues or ..the list goes on. You never know, even if you get a dog from a very reputable breeder what might happen..of course if you go through a breeder, and I mean a real breeder that tests and all, the odds are less, but are you truly ever out of the woods, as far as the chance..not just for fanconi, but all the other ailments they can get?
just wondering and typing out loud..so to speak.
Your are right… however Fanconi is such a horrible affliction.. and the care of a Fanconi affected dog is just as bad... image giving 30 to 40 pills a day?... as far as most thyroid problems, fixable with a daily pill that is reasonable priced... and yes, hips could be a problem... eyes too, but many dogs are blind and do just fine... or almost blind... (just don't move the furniture)..... Fanconi with the uncontrolled peeing, UTI's, effect on other body organs, cost of treatment, and trying to "shove" all those piils down every single day... is just something I would never wish on anyone...
As I said, I agree it is a double edged sword... and certainly I don't have all the answers... but this is just one thing that I really feel should be disclosed before a rescue is placed....
You are right, fanconi is not something I would wish on any dog or dog owner..
So what should be done, let's say if brat and the like were doing the tests and several dogs did come back as affected? They robably wouldn't get adopted, should they be put down? Where do you place this dogs, in forever fosters? I am just trying to grasp the problem as a whole, because it is a, like said before, double egded sword, no matter what, something/somebody is going to be left out..if that makes sense..
You are right, fanconi is not something I would wish on any dog or dog owner..
So what should be done, let's say if brat and the like were doing the tests and several dogs did come back as affected? They robably wouldn't get adopted, should they be put down? Where do you place this dogs, in forever fosters? I am just trying to grasp the problem as a whole, because it is a, like said before, double egded sword, no matter what, something/somebody is going to be left out..if that makes sense..
While I know this sounds really cruel… but if they come back as Fanconi Affected and no one wants to adopt them... and the foster can't keep them.. then, sorry, I know this sounds really horrible.. but the kindest act of kindness could be to send them over the rainbow bridge.... I have been in that position.. While our No Cal club has been able to place a Fanconi dog (but only because it was with someone that already had a Fanconi dog when this rescue started to spill sugar)... we have had others that no one wanted... the kindest thing was to let them go over the rainbow bridge... they did not suffer... they were loved on till the end... it is a fact of life.. and at least something we can do to prevent suffering...
And to add to that... what if a potential Fanconi Affected is placed?...
Then they start to spill sugar and get sick?... Does that person have a Vet that knows about Fanconi?... maybe not.. ever worse for the Basenji... and in fact I know of a recent case just like that... the girl dog had Fanconi... the owner (and this was a rescue) had not idea.. (more like they didn't read about Fanconi)... her Vet had NOT a clue... this bitch suffered for 6 months and then died.....
So again... I do not know what the real answer is... but if me... I would test.. for Fanconi... disclose it.. and let the "chips" fall where they may... Not nice.. many of your would say??? Maybe... but again.. some of the most wonderful acts of kindness is to let that dog cross over the Rainbow Bridge
I respect your thoughts on this, and definitely think you are on to something..it is just a very hard pill to swallow..and I don't mean that as a pun..
Darn, I wish there was a "this is the way it is, and this is how we deal with it", it would be nice..
BRAT has to get Basenjis adopted and it's kind of "what you see is what you get and here's what we know about that Basenji". If the dog has not been tested for Faconi that will be up to you. So you either takes your chances like I did or look for a rescue that's been tested and you know the results. Anybody new to Basenjis looking to adopt better do their homework to find out the health issues so they don't get surprised later.
My biggest problem is that BRAT still lists their strip test result so that it makes it seem like they are testing and their adopters don't necessarily know or understand the difference. So they get a dog that says "Fanconi tested? Yes, Negative" and do not realize that this statement was only good for the day it was strip tested and says nothing about whether this dog may be symptomatic later in its life. If BRAT is not going to test then they need to put a LARGE disclaimer next to this statement on their forms that says "DOGS ARE STRIP TESTED ONLY. RESULTS ONLY INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WAS SYMPTOMATIC ON THE DAY TESTED AND DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER THE DOG WILL BECOME AFFECTED IN ITS LIFETIME." Without this statement their forms are misleading and if people think the dog is "tested" so they are not testing then they are unlikely to catch the disease early if the dog does become symptomatic.
I sent an email and here is the new statement.
New sentence:
BRAT adopters receive a dog that has been spayed or neutered ($100.00-$250.00, depending on location), fully vaccinated, tested for heartworm, and strip-tested for Fanconi (negative unless otherwise noted), and temperament evaluated.
This is a great suggestion, thanks!
That is really nice Jennifer. Life just keeps getting better (some day's).
Rita Jean
But this is only a step in the right direction if the person reading it knows the difference between a strip test and the DNA test. There are still many people who do not know what the difference is and think a test is a test. Does BRAT educate potential adopters about strip testing and the importance of doing it monthly so they understand that negative test result only tells you about the dog's status on the day tested?
Are you surprised many vets are clueless and know nothing about Fanconi?
Are you surprised many vets are clueless and know nothing about Fanconi?
Not any more…. However that said, I know many Vets that didn't really know that much about Fanconi, but were willing to learn, read about it, talk to Dr. Gonto... and become knowledgable about it and how it needs to be detected and treated....
But this is only a step in the right direction if the person reading it knows the difference between a strip test and the DNA test. There are still many people who do not know what the difference is and think a test is a test. Does BRAT educate potential adopters about strip testing and the importance of doing it monthly so they understand that negative test result only tells you about the dog's status on the day tested?
The paperwork I received specifically says;" Testing is an ongoing process. A dog may test negative today but test positive next month. Please test your dog every month. " The letter also explains where to get the test strips, a link to the fanconi protocol for Dr. Gonto, 2 test strips, an explanation of what Fanconi is, what causes it, the success of the treatment if it is caught early, info on the DNA test , where to get more info, and more.
I think that is a very good start. They may not hold someone's hand, but I do think adopters should have some responsibility to do their homework also.
