Fancoi Syndrom Information

[Hila]

Hello all members!

I decided to do some" homework" before i'll import my first Basenji to Isarel so i got 2 books about the breed and i searched all over the net about the breed.

Even though i've searched and read about the Basenji,i found a little information about the Fanconi Syndrom and i couldn't find full and enough information about this disease(what is it? why does it happens? what are the symptoms? treatment?)

I would be more than thankful if somebody could explain to me medically about this disease.

Hila

[sharronhurlbut]

If you go to the health section of the forum, and read the sticky, it will give you some good information.

[etzbseder]

The shortest and simplest way to describe it is a mutated form of diabetes. BUT remember that is the shortest, far from the best and most accurate. It just gets the laymans version of it out there enough to get the mind going.

[Hila]

Hi Sharron!

I found information about the test to the Fanconi Syndrom and not all the information i was looking for.

But thank you anyway!

Hila

[etzbseder]

If you didn't get forwarded here, you should check this out too: http://www.basenjiclub.com/?q=node/64

[sharronhurlbut]

What else do you need to know?

[Hila]

I would like to know what is the Fanconi Syndrom? why does it happens? what are the symptoms? treatment?

Thanks again,
Hila

[tanza]

Please go also to www.basenjihealth.org

[tanza]

@etzbseder:

The shortest and simplest way to describe it is a mutated form of diabetes. BUT remember that is the shortest, far from the best and most accurate. It just gets the laymans version of it out there enough to get the mind going.

It it really NOT a mutated form of diabetes. Diabetes is sugar in the blood, Fanconi is sugar in the urine and NOT in the blood… Often confused, but totally different

[JazzysMom]

@tanza:

It it really NOT a mutated form of diabetes. Diabetes is sugar in the blood, Fanconi is sugar in the urine and NOT in the blood… Often confused, but totally different

Thanks, Tanza… I almost replied to that one also, but my answer got way too long and detailed, so I junked it. LOL

I think that because Fanconi is often mis-diagnosed as Diabetes it is of utmost importance to NEVER confuse the two. Fanconi is a disease of the kidneys; Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas. While both do inhibit the body's ability to absorb nutrients, they are NOT RELATED to one another.

[lvoss]

Fanconi Syndrome is renal tubular dysfunction, the kidneys of an affected dog become ineffective at reabsorbing the nutrients that body needs and the dog then spills those nutrients in its urine. The easiest of the nutrients lost to test for is sugar hence the testing of urine for glucose but the reality is that Faconi dogs spill many nutrients including protein, glucose, vitamins, and minerals.

Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, spilling of sugar in the urine, and abnormal blood gas results. Fanconi is caused by a defective gene and is recessive in its inheritance pattern. There is now a gene marker test available for Fanconi Syndrome so there is no reason that a Fanconi Affected puppy ever be born. It can be prevented by testing the parents prior to breeding and making sure that at least one of the parents has tested clear for the disorder.

[Hila]

Thank you so much for the information Ivoss!
You helped me a lot!

Hila

[youngandtired]

Can someone tell me how long it takes to get the results of the Fanconi DNA testing done at the Vet. hospital? It has been about 6 wks. since I sent Sahara's blood in and they cashed my check last month.

[lvoss]

It has been taking about 3 weeks or so for most people. You can check with the lab and see what is taking so long. There is a phone number for Liz Hansen on this page, http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/Docs/DNAhowto.html

She should be able to answer your question.

[tanza]

Hey I have been waiting for one for 9wks now… so ... who knows..

[lvoss]

If you have been waiting a long time for results it may be worthwhile to call and ask. The lab had results for one of mine but it somehow had gotten lost between the lab and the report. They got me my results and then it took me over 3 months to get the OFA certificate and have it posted on the OFA site.

[tanza]

@lvoss:

If you have been waiting a long time for results it may be worthwhile to call and ask. The lab had results for one of mine but it somehow had gotten lost between the lab and the report. They got me my results and then it took me over 3 months to get the OFA certificate and have it posted on the OFA site.

Been there done that… with no results also... at least "yet".... somethings are just meant to drive you nuts!

[youngandtired]

Well, I called and it seems Sahara is affected. Does that mean she will get the Fanconi or has a greater chance of getting it? I hate this but at least I know to make sure I start testing. Will giving her vitamine supplements help her now, and do I need Pet Insurance for all the testing that will probably be done if she does get Fanconi. Help!

[lvoss]

This means that she most likely has two copies of the gene for Fanconi Syndrome and will most likely become symptomatic at some point in her life. The age of onset can vary greatly. Some become symptomatic very early and some not until much later. There are currently 2 dogs that have tested as Probably Affected and are not symptomatic at over 10 years of age but this is a rare occurrence. Pet insurance will probably not cover the expenses related to treating Fanconi Syndrome but you will need to research to see for sure.

Try strip testing a few days in a row each month since in the early stages dogs may spill sugar intermittently.

[youngandtired]

Sahara will be 2 in Jan. will I need to start the strip testing that early, also will vitamins help now. Thanks