New DNA Test for one form of PRA in Basenjis

[ownedbyspencer]

Is this a test I should have for Ava at one year?

[tanza]

@ownedbyspencer:

Is this a test I should have for Ava at one year?

You can do it anytime, like Fanconi DNA, it is just a cheek swab that you order from OFA.

[ownedbyspencer]

Thanks for letting me know! I had no idea it was a cheek swab. I suppose I should have the Fanconi test for Ava, too, even though she should be, at worst, a carrier,

[tanza]

@ownedbyspencer:

Thanks for letting me know! I had no idea it was a cheek swab. I suppose I should have the Fanconi test for Ava, too, even though she should be, at worst, a carrier,

Never hurts to that the tests done even if Clear or Carrier by parentage for Fanconi, the more data the better. And for the PRA test, not enough data yet to know if could be Clear/Carrier or Affected by parentage. I forget now what her breeding is/

[lisastewart]

I must admit, I am on my 10th basenji now, and for those that finished in the ring, or were strickly pets, I only did an initial eye test vs a yearly in the 80's and 90s. The importance of testing really was not stressed by the breeders of my first 3 dogs, nor was it widely publicized that yearly testing for pets should be done. It is never mentioned at a vet visit, wish vets would educate owners on eye testing.

I would bet that many breeders do not know the current eye status of the dogs that went to pet homes. Many dogs get around quite well with fading eyesight and the owners may not even realize they have an issue.

[tanza]

@lisastewart:

I must admit, I am on my 10th basenji now, and for those that finished in the ring, or were strickly pets, I only did an initial eye test vs a yearly in the 80's and 90s. The importance of testing really was not stressed by the breeders of my first 3 dogs, nor was it widely publicized that yearly testing for pets should be done. It is never mentioned at a vet visit, wish vets would educate owners on eye testing.

I would bet that many breeders do not know the current eye status of the dogs that went to pet homes. Many dogs get around quite well with fading eyesight and the owners may not even realize they have an issue.

So very true Lisa… I even know breeders that had necropsy's done to find out why a dog passed on, only to be told by the Vet that the dog was blind from PRA and most likely had been for a number of years. They had no clue. While I ask that my puppy owners do an eye exam at 1yr and if no problems, every two years till age 10, every year after 10. Some do, some do not.... And your right about regular Vets, they rarely if ever talk about eye exams from a certified Vet in that field. My ears "prick" when I hear people talk about losing or poor eye sight at night, which can indicate the beginning of PRA = night blindness.

[ownedbyspencer]

@tanza:

Never hurts to that the tests done even if Clear or Carrier by parentage for Fanconi, the more data the better. And for the PRA test, not enough data yet to know if could be Clear/Carrier or Affected by parentage. I forget now what her breeding is/

Her father is cleared and her mother is a probable carrier, so Ava has a 50/50 of being either a clear or carrier, but not AFS. The Fanconi test would be a formality, IIRC, and I'm going to do it because I'd like to know. IDT either parent has had the PRA test yet.

[CrazySenji]

Elliot's just came back clear :)

[tanza]

@CrazySenji:

Elliot's just came back clear :)

Great news

[etzbseder]

How long did you all have to wait for the test results?

[tanza]

Depends… on average 2 to 3 weeks

[ownedbyspencer]

@CrazySenji:

Elliot's just came back clear :)

So glad to hear this about Elliot. Hope he's doing well!