I really think that the age (barring things like Fanconi, cancer (and that seems to be on the rise with Basenjis and cars…) really is closer to 14 to 16 now days.. with the better Vet care, much better food and general care by owners, like us humans, the life expectancy is a bit longer....
My Max lived to be 15 and 11 months. He really didn't seem "old" at all until about the last year of his life. At that point, he really declined very rapidly–it just seemed like overnight he went from an active boy to a very slow, aging boy. But the quality of his life was still good (although the quality of my carpet wasn't 
up until the very end.
I had one live to be 17-1/2 and another to 14-1/2.
Okay, so lets expand this conversation. What about dogs who have Fanconi? Once the disease is diagnosed, what is the average life expectancy beyond that?
My B is 8 (will be 9 in November) and was just diagnozed with Fanconi. We believe he's in the early stages of the disease. I'm hoping to hit 10 or 12 with him. Can't imagine life without this crazy dog. But then again, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before him. He made us childproof our home before we even started to think about having kids!
Okay, so lets expand this conversation. What about dogs who have Fanconi? Once the disease is diagnosed, what is the average life expectancy beyond that?
My B is 8 (will be 9 in November) and was just diagnozed with Fanconi. We believe he's in the early stages of the disease. I'm hoping to hit 10 or 12 with him. Can't imagine life without this crazy dog. But then again, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before him. He made us childproof our home before we even started to think about having kids!
Sorry to hear that your B has Fanconi…. but glad that you caught it early... Maintance on the Fanconi Protocol depends on each dog.. and how they are at taking the pills and how Fanconi effects them.... I know one dog that lived to almost 13 on the protocol... I don't think that there is an "expected" age... due to the fact that each are effected a different way by Fanconi.
Good luck and hugs! And remember all to strip your Basenji every month
Too bad these dogs don't come with owners manuals. I can honestly say that this forum was the absolute first place I had ever heard of testing a B monthly for the syndrome. None of the veterinarians I had ever talked to had mentioned it, and our B was a "free to a good home" who never mentioned anything about the disease.
We got lucky in the sense that we knew something wasn't right with our boy about 2 years ago and kept pestering our vet to test him regularly for everything and anything under the sun. It wasn't until this past weekend though that all the factors "came into alignment" and we were able to get a positive diagnosis. Good or bad? Depends on how you look at it. At least now we know what we are fighting and that he's not just a thirsty dog with a little bladder. smile
I've met some people who have had B's live long lives with fanconi so stay positive. The protocol is a very good one & since you caught it early there's every reason to believe your furkid will live to a ripe old age Lots of prayers & positive thoughts for you both!
Too bad these dogs don't come with owners manuals. I can honestly say that this forum was the absolute first place I had ever heard of testing a B monthly for the syndrome. None of the veterinarians I had ever talked to had mentioned it, and our B was a "free to a good home" who never mentioned anything about the disease.
We got lucky in the sense that we knew something wasn't right with our boy about 2 years ago and kept pestering our vet to test him regularly for everything and anything under the sun. It wasn't until this past weekend though that all the factors "came into alignment" and we were able to get a positive diagnosis. Good or bad? Depends on how you look at it. At least now we know what we are fighting and that he's not just a thirsty dog with a little bladder. smile
This is exactly why we (as responsible breeders) come down so hard on Back Yard Breeders and Pet Store puppies… potential owners are NOT told of the health concerns in the breed, Sires and Dams of pups are not tested... therefore keep producing pups carrying these so very dangerous genes.... Responsible breeders put much time and thought into each breeding and also we GIVE back to the breed by supporting the Health endowment with donations not only of money but DNA samples for heath testing development.
Public education is the key, keep "hammering" why it is important to buy from a responsible breeder. Do your research on line about breeds and the genetic problems, remember they all have them.. the difference between purebreds and mix breeds is that purebred breeders "know" the health problems.... mix breeds, there is no record, therefore many think they are healthier... (And I am not saying these are not good dogs...). only that breeders of purebreds have years of records and are the first to ID a genetic concern in the breed.
Also, why it is so important that every Basenji owner print the protocol and have this placed in your Basenjis Vet file.... and that if they develop Fanconi they are put on this protocol immediately....
Too bad these dogs don't come with owners manuals. I can honestly say that this forum was the absolute first place I had ever heard of testing a B monthly for the syndrome. None of the veterinarians I had ever talked to had mentioned it, and our B was a "free to a good home" who never mentioned anything about the disease.
We got lucky in the sense that we knew something wasn't right with our boy about 2 years ago and kept pestering our vet to test him regularly for everything and anything under the sun. It wasn't until this past weekend though that all the factors "came into alignment" and we were able to get a positive diagnosis. Good or bad? Depends on how you look at it. At least now we know what we are fighting and that he's not just a thirsty dog with a little bladder. smile
Good that he is on the Protocol now… and your right would have been nice had you been told about Fanconi up front and then you could have caught it even earlier... How is your Vet with using the Protocol?.... and/or contacting Dr. Gonto? Also, there is a Fanconi Yahoo list for only people with Fanconi dogs.
We're having a "sit down" with the vet to discuss his test results in more detail and exactly how the protocol will be implemented. Not sure if he has contacted Dr. Gonto. At least my vet was familiar with the syndrome and the breed.
Forward please the yahoo list… I feel like a fish out of water yet.
Too bad these dogs don't come with owners manuals.
Rockyswoman, there IS an owners manual –actually called, "The Basenji Owners Manual: http://www.evergreenbasenjiclub.org/bom.html
It's a small book, that a few people laughed about me having {"You have an owner's manual for your DOG???"} but I found it to be invaluable with my first B.
You need to go to yahoo groups and search for the Fanconi list.. it is a closed list for only afflicted Basenjis…
And remember that Dr. Gonto is more then happy to discuss treatment, main thing is now that he needs to get on the protocol asap....
Channayn lived to be 15 and was alpha to her dying breath. Moses is 13 he still is very active. He accompainies Tzonga (9), Mahendra (8?) and me in the foothills hiking and mnt biking. Biking he sets his own pace. 13 and 4 plates holding his pelvis together, he's not doing bad.
Then again, how long do people live? Africans tend to have shorter life spans. Some groups of Semites tend have life spans over 100. If I remember correctly, a rural Japanese woman just died at 114 or 116.
It just comes down to genetics. There is an ongoing program to expand the Basenji's gene pool by breeding with more African lines. It would be an interesting to catalogue death rates of Basenjis by genetic disposition.
I don't think that expanding the gene pool will make a difference in length of live… and now with the Fanconi Linkage test, there is never an excuse to breed a dog that might become affected with Fanconi. And hopefully the word about the linkage test is passed far and wide so that BYB's and PM's are run out of business unless they start testing...
We have had several basenjis live to be 16 and 17, and one that was almost 19 years that we were aware of, but she had come from a shelter so might have even been older. Her last year she was very feeble, but up to 16 she was still running around. My current oldest will be 12 Oct.1, and is more playful than the younger ones in spite of several health issues. I personally consider 8-10 to be just "adult" for basenjis, and "senior" starts at 12-14!
Anne in Tampa
I laughed when Rocky got the big orange "Senior" sticker put on his chart last year at the ripe ol' age of 8. He certainly still thinks he's a puppy! Regardless of what the pound vs age charts say!
I don't think that expanding the gene pool will make a difference in length of live… and now with the Fanconi Linkage test, there is never an excuse to breed a dog that might become affected with Fanconi. And hopefully the word about the linkage test is passed far and wide so that BYB's and PM's are run out of business unless they start testing...
You bring to the fore a valid point. There is no reason to breed any canine with a history of health problems. That does not improve a breed; it's just bad business.
As genetic research advances, it is known that some illnesses are genetic in orgin and others are viral. With a viable genome and meticulous cataloging, a model can be produced to yeild the ideal make-up of a Basenji to extend life. Or maybe just improve quality of life.
You bring to the fore a valid point. There is no reason to breed any canine with a history of health problems. That does not improve a breed; it's just bad business.
As genetic research advances, it is known that some illnesses are genetic in orgin and others are viral. With a viable genome and meticulous cataloging, a model can be produced to yeild the ideal make-up of a Basenji to extend life. Or maybe just improve quality of life.
To take this a bit further, remember with Basenjis, Fanconi and PRA are late onset, so of course now with the DNA test for Fanconi we can test for this before breeding, but for PRA we are (no pun intended) still flying blind….
To Rocky and his woman…
I sent you a private message with the info about the Fanconi List and how to join.
I have belonged to this list for a long time; currently treating our 4th Fanconi dog.
Terry
Please excuse my ignorance in asking this question, but as more genetic testing becomes readily available (i.e., for fanconi and other genetic disorders), and based on testing results, breeders are going to be culling (for want of a better word) dogs/lines they have bred or had planned to breed, aren't we [necessarily] further narrowing our already small gene pool if entire lines can no longer be bred due to genetic deficiencies? If so, how are breeders going to deal with that? I know we've got some new blood that is, at this point, backstage (being Fanconi tested?), but it seems to me like the B breed, as we know it, is, heartbreakingly, in a vortex into oblivion…or am I being too pessimistic (I know I tend to be)?
Also, regarding irresponsible breeders: It seems to me that trusting them to breed Fanconi carrier to Fanconi clear would be an impossible supposition. JMO, of course.
(Please don't think I'm against genetic testing, I'm all for removing genetic disorders from the gene pool.)
