Glad things are settling down for you. Now is a great time to get on breeders puppy lists. Go to the Basenji Club and contact breeders in states close enough for traveling to. If you're interested in a bit older, be sure to ask if they have any or know of another breeder who may have gotten a puppy back that didn't work out. Good luck in your search.
Wanted rehome/adopt 2-6 year old
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Yes, she did. I am not privy to all that went on, nor do I care. I do know that Pam is on the forefront of doing things I agree are critical, such as both Fanconi testing and microchipping– neither done by BRAT.
Pam states she is pretty distraught after learning that several of her former fosters are DNA 'affected' by Fanconi and not all are getting venous blood gas tested because the adoptees' vets do not know or believe that venous blood gas testing is ABSOLUTELY necessary and that other former fosters who are at high risk (related to 'affected' b's) are not even getting DNA tested. She said she has seen how easy is it is to care for ones that aren't even spilling glucose and is struggling to stabilize a new one that was not caught until it was too late, well after spilling glucose (the dog is drinking a gallon of water every day). Her new rescue group is testing all basenjis for Fanconi so that they can make sure that all basenjis will be placed in areas that will have the needed vetting available. They are also building on a list of vets that will offer venous blood gas testing, identifying vets with reasonable pricing (a couple so far at $25-30/VBG test).
She is working her butt off finding places that do the test for reasonable amts within driving distance of adopters. I have talked to 3 local vets myself for her database. The changes Gonto is working on, to use blood gas tests to help catch problems BEFORE spilling, can make the lives of our dogs so much better. I also applaud Pam for working to start low supplements to hopefully keep the dogs from even showing symptoms. It is a long term research effort and one of the most important in our area. Because Florida has so darned many Fanconi affected showing up, it is critical and while I love BRAT, I won't lie. I am glad Pam is there getting many of these dogs so they are tested and done right.
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I can't understand why BRAT does not test. I would never even foster an untested dog. People should know what they are getting into when they adopt, not get an unwanted surprise that they are not prepared for.
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Sounds like she is doing wonderful work.
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Brat handles about 200 adoptions a year, so 200 x 75 is about $15,000. I suggested getting breeders, clubs etc to help with fund raising just for testing. I suggested at least letting potential adopters PAY (no refund for test) to test the dog they wanted. I got shot down. I think BRAT does a spectacular job in every area other than Fanconi and chipping. For me though, Fanconi testing is the only responsible action. We already have nearly 17 percent of the Wimauma group AFFECTED, and many are not tested. It makes me furious, sick, and sad to know that nearly 20 percent of those untested out there probably are affected and we all know many give lip service to strip testing but the fail rate is high. And come on, those who adopt an untested dog are either idiots leading with their heart, like I was with Cara (though I was TOLD they had not had a Fanconi issue with this puppymiller– SURPRISE) or uninformed and not likely to GET informed til their dog is sick. Yes BRAT gives them info-- and then we have people who don't read it, don't test, and the dog suffers. Call me harsh-- I'd rather see Brat put down 20 to 40 affected a year if they HAD to rather than have dogs out there suffering because they weren't tested. So Pam is testing, will place only with knowledgeable owners who know the score upfront, have access to VBG testing and will do what they need to do. And in a high rate area like the Florida group, that is essential.
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I think it is great that Pam is doing a rescue the way she wants to. I viewed the link to her website-great job indeed, fun videos too. The descriptions are wonderful as she sure knows basenji! Thank goodness for Pam and the work she has accomplished, esp for the Fanconi requirements she has implemented. Kudos to you too Debra!!!!
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Pardon me for asking a silly question, but is it something about Florida's peninsular geography or state laws that makes it particularly vulnerable to bad BYB, people who dump their dogs, and the difficulty of networking with other rescues? I ask because I've also noticed a lot of dogs from Florida in my other breed dumped on Craigslist, in shelters… sometimes its feels rather disproportionate.
It's heartbreaking to see so many Basenjis in rescue from just one area, but it's also really wonderful to know they're in capable hands.
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I don't text so what does BYB mean? Florida is just a crazy state. No laws that make it vulnerable, other than the geography that is attractive and constant influx of other state populations that live or rent seasonally, can't figure it out either??? Maybe the people breeding Basejis think that the climate is conducive for the breed?? But there are breeders of dogs that should only be in climates no warmer than 60 degrees as well-go figure…..It is indeed heartbreaking. I feel for any long haired working dog that is bred here......(there are a few)
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BYB isn't a texting term, but rather short hand for Back Yard Breeder.
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@Buddys Pal, Florida weather would probably NOT be conducive to double-coated Shibas… but no, that doesn't seem to stop breeders there, or in subtropical Taiwan where it's also a very popular breed! LOL. Anyway, I've heard some other folks mention that it can be difficult to arrange transports too, since it's a fairly long state. So getting a dog from Miami to, well... anywhere else with room... can be a challenge! It's one of the hurdles with California rescue, anyway.
And I realize I'm now hijacking the OP's post -- sorry! I hope you're able to find what you're looking for, and yay for opening your home to an adult in need.
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I don't see the need to disparage BART in this discussion. They provide information to adopters about Fanconi and whether the dog has had the DNA linkage test.
The language on the Camp Basenji site isn't clear that all the dogs are DNA tested, since it says "If Fanconi is identified very early in the disease process, just when bicarbs are starting to be lost, prior to spilling glucose (the true start to the disease process as we know it now), the disease will have VERY little impact on the overall health of the basenji as long as supplements are begun immediately. We think basenjis affected with Fanconi deserve a safe and healthy life, so we will make sure that all of our basenjis are tested for Fanconi by DNA testing and/or venous blood gas testing as appropriate. We can then make sure that any with Fanconi are placed in homes that will have the vetting resources available."
The "true start" of the disease is still unknown, but the direct linkage DNA test shows whether the dog is at risk at all. I get the impression more weight is being given to blood gases.
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"We think basenjis affected with Fanconi deserve a safe and healthy life, so we will make sure that all of our basenjis are tested for Fanconi by DNA testing and/or venous blood gas testing as appropriate. We can then make sure that any with Fanconi are placed in homes that will have the vetting resources available."
I read that as making sure dogs that test as affected or are known to be affected will be getting the blood gases tested and be homed appropriately. You obviously couldn't "make sure any with Fanconi are placed in homes that will have the vetting resources available" if you didn't know their status.
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The DNA test shows if a Basenji is Clear, Carrier or Affected with the gene for Fanconi, if Clear/Carrier they will not get Fanconi, if Affected they will.
Not sure what you mean by "true start"?… And while BRAT provides information, they can and should (IMO) be DNA testing any and all rescues prior to placement.
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Speaking TRUTH is not disparaging. But you want me to disparage BRAT, with more TRUTH, here goes.
They place (I was wrong before, not 200 though I thought 200 was the NORM prior to the Wimauma dogs) about 300 dogs.
They have many many volunteers.
They send the dog with a packet of info and I think we all got a test strip. But I have talked to many adopters, and trust me, no one REALLY made sure they understood Fanconi or the seriousness. And yes, their page now says get the test. But there is a responsibility to make sure people whom you place dogs with ACTUALLY understand. Just posting it on the web and giving with a big pack of papers isn't enough.
Do they bother to follow up with a call in a month, 2 mos, 6 mos and even ASK if the person is testing? LOL. Hell no, which is why we have folks who have said on this very forum that BRAT "tested their dog for Fanconi" and thought the one strip test, or that the dog was strip tested clear at placement meant safe.
People DO NOT READ. I call foster homes CONTINUALLY for the first 6 mos during which time the home usually is a fit or not, so they know I am here, not judging and will be their first resource to return, not DUMP out of being embarrassed they couldn't make it work. Then annually. It doesn't have to be intense and long, 5 mins of good will, a "when and how was the last strip test?" BRAT doesn't do that either, or at least none I know of. Those are SIMPLE things BRAT could do to be more responsible.
As for FL, yeah, I think you purposefully ignored the obvious answer– if clearly effected, why on earth would anyone pay out $65 for the DNA test? They just start treatment and do VBG to see how bad it is.
As for "true start"-- let me type slow and explain for you. If you start these dogs on a little bicarb, they are hoping to never have the disease cause damage. They will be looking for a good 5 to 10 years evaluating what happens. That is what it takes to know.
As for treating before the "true start"... what a novel idea. Oh wait, it isn't. Prediabetics and people at risk for other diseases-- put them on diet, exercise, even preventative meds and they often avoid STARTING the disease or damage. I had freaking absolutely PERFECT blood pressure (110 to 117 over 60 to 70) when I was Dx with diabetes. They put me on low dose high blood pressure meds anyway. Why? To make sure if the common "true start" of high blood pressure in diabetics began, I'd minimize the risk. And yes, 10 yrs later I do have moderate HBP and am now at a whopping 40 mg of lisenopril (btw that is meant as sarcasm-- many people with HBP are on 2 or 3 meds, really high doses, IF they can even control it and rarely to my great levels!) to keep my BP at a good 110 to 120 over under-80. Did the early meds help stop it from happening-- no. But you can bet it helped protect my kidneys.
As for Brat and your accusation that I disparaged them-- again, I spoke the truth. No intent to trash them, but simply to speak the truth. They do not DNA test. They do not call and make sure each adopter actually understands Fanconi and the importance of testing. They don't call to see if the person IS testing. And they will not even allow an adopter to PAY to have a dog tested they are interested in. So hell yes, if someone asks about getting a dog from rescue, I am going to be responsible to that person and tell them IF they get a dog from BRAT that the previous owners didn't already DNA test, be aware they are taking a risk and be prepared to deal with it and to please get the dog tested. If any truth that doesn't make someone/something shinier is disparaging, oh well. As I said, other than this area, they do great. But this one area is enough I cannot recommend anyone get a dog there unless they know the facts. Better to get a dog from a breeder or another rescue that tests unless you are okay with getting a dog that COULD have Fanconi.
I will add this-- thanks to Dr. Gonto, with early testing and his protocol, it CAN be a minimal issue. It can be tested 2x a year at a cheap cost (some places as low as $25!), bicarbs cheap, and with EARLY or pretreatment, hopefully keep everything very good. It is only when you wait til there is a "true start" or things have advanced that there is intense issues. One day I hope it is so ... well no I don't. I HOPE we stop all irresponsible breeders so they aren't churning out Fanconi dogs. But failing that, I hope the research will show treating from the start might keep the dog from ever having it start.
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Bottom line, we now have a DNA test for Fanconi, shame on any kind of breeder that doesn't test first, shame on the ones that refused to use the linkage test, claiming that it was not exact… so they kept breeding Basenjis at risk. Shame on them now that we a direct test for not testing, used a number of other excuses... We have the knowledge and tests to never again have an affected Basenji!
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Pardon me for asking a silly question, but is it something about Florida's peninsular geography or state laws that makes it particularly vulnerable to bad BYB, people who dump their dogs, and the difficulty of networking with other rescue?
Florida, south Georgia, and south Alabama are attractive to puppy mills due to the mild winter temperature. The millers do not have to spend as much money on shelter for the dogs in these areas than they do in colder areas. Basenjis can be left ourdoors year-round. Many puppy mills only keep Basenjis for a couple of years because they discover that a breed with one litter per year, and an average of 5 puppies per litter, does not make much profit. The "breeding stock" gets sold to other mills and the cycle continues.
Mills do not care who they sell to so they sell puppies to people who are not prepared or suitable for the breed. They also sell to people who become BYBs who then sell puppies to poor homes. When these pups grow up, they end up in rescue or resold through Craigslist.
I have no doubt that Pam has her hands full. I applaud her for her concern and efforts. She is doing a good job.
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Sorry. It posted twice and I don't see a way to delete this post completely.
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Heard rumors of a basenji that tested by DNA as carrier that actually has Fanconi developed. No info on retest, or if person notified OFA or Johnson. But I did write OFA. Jon Curby responded that they have no knowledge of that dog. My advice is that if you personally know the person, tell the person to get the dog retested before spreading panic that the test is faulty, it's the RESPONSIBLE thing to do. Furthermore, 5076 Basenjis have been tested so far for Fanconi using the DNA test.
Edited: heard that OFA is aware, so above response is, well, disingenuous. To the point, they haven't CONFIRMED, but why not just admit investigating? The dog will get VBG drawing I think, though still not clear if they redid the DNA, if there is any possibility of acquired Fanconi, etc. And yes, I wrote back and told them it was misleading response.
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I have a question about Fanconi since I am a new Basenji owner. Can my girl still come down with Fanconi if she has
tested carrier? I have been told no, but than I have been told maybe. Should I start strip testing her at a year old
even if she is not affected, but a carrier? Thanks Also her test was done by OFA I think it was called the direct marker
test. I think. They sent me a strip and I had to swab the inside of her mouth put it on the tester they sent me, and send
it back. It took about 3 weeks to get the results. -
If you had her tested with the direct DNA test (Direct Marker Test) and she tested Carrier, she will not come down with Fanconi. There is no reason to strip test her. If it had been the linkage test, then the answer would be yes, you should test.
