Basenji Breed Predisposition and Genetically Inherited Disorders

[sharronhurlbut]

I would assume that someone who had a dog hurting like this would have had a simple x ray to show spine/neck allignment .
That would show something other than nerve issues.
I guess I was assuming that was done.
If not, it should be the very first thing, IMO.

[NicholasDenis]

Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.

[dmcarty]

It is unclear the origin of Fanconi Syndrome as prior to the internt - keeping track of the health issues was just not as easy as it is now. There is a school of thought that it might have been originially a mutated gene perhaps from environmental toxins. I don't know as anyone has ever been able to know that for sure - if there ever is a genetic marker - that answer may come out of the research related to that.

I would also say that the gene pool being limited to start with and then further limited when some other diseases showed up (HA & PRA for example). When those were identified there was no knowledge that HA could be so easily bred around and PRA was mis-or over - identified in the beginning because of the basenji hyper-reflective eye that LOOKS like PRA but is not. A large number of dogs was eliminated from the gene pool because of that. Now that we have a bigger knowledge base and testing and protocols for these, fanconi's and other health issues, we can look at the individual African dogs with knowledge of their actual health rather than in the earlier imports just assuming that if they are from African they are healthier.

With the combination of turmoil and war in Africa as well as previously isolated areas now being more accessiblt - it is important to acquire additional genetics while they are still largely not influenced by other dog breeds. We can now do this with some knowledge and science to make sure we are not adding the same things we are trying to avoid.

Obviously others have their opinions or fine points but this is the general overview.

[lvoss]

@NicholasDenis:

Just out of curiosity can someone tell me how the Fanconi Syndrome appeared in the Basenji breed. Is it b/c the breed had such a small gene pool? Also when was it discovered in the basenji? and are they trying to open up the stud books again b/c of these health problems? It might be stupid questions but just thought i'd ask. Thanx to anyone who reply's.

The reasons for opening the stud book are given in BCOA's proposal to AKC which can be viewed at, http://www.basenji.org/NativeStock/Application/BasenjiStudbookPetition.pdf

[sharronhurlbut]

Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
IMO.

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

Opening up the stud book can only help b's in the future.
IMO.

I think that depends… while there are some very nice newly imported dogs that should be admitted, there are as many "nice village dogs" that some people would like to push to be admitted. So the key is the evaluation of these dogs.... before they are considered acceptable.

[sharronhurlbut]

Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

Pat, I thought the BCOA was going to approve the b's that are going to be added…and other folks will just do what they want to with the village dogs...am I wrong?

BCOA has a panel to "judge" the dogs on their merit.. and then if they receive a certain rating it will be up to the membership to vote them in…

My point was that there are people out there with "village dogs" and even plans to bring more in... that would like to try and get them into the stud books... if they do or don't.... isn't the question, in my mind, it is the fact that any old dog with a curly tail should be considered....

[Heinz57]

Some of the links to the info sites are no longer available. Are there any sites other than the basenji.org one?

[curt12345]

listed disorders for which there is a general consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed. Where the mode of inheritance is known, this information is included on the linked disease