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(Fanconi Syndrome has been diagnosed in Australia)
On July 14, 2007, the Basenji Health Endowment in the U.S. proudly reported that Dr. Gary Johnson of the University of Missouri has released the linked marker DNA test for Fanconi Syndrome in Basenjis. As the first predictive test available for Fanconi Syndrome it is being used now to determine the probability of a dog carrying the recessive gene for Fanconi Syndrome.
Research continues to locate the actual gene but until then this test can be used to reduce to incidence of producing Fanconi afflicted puppies.
Go HERE for details and FAQ
This is wonderful news for the breed!!
Thankyou to everyone who has worked so diligently on this project.
There are four possible test results: Clear, Carrier, Affected & Indeterminate. Below is a description of what each result means to you as a breeder.
CLEAR
This result indicates that the gene is not present in your dog. Therefore, when used for breeding, a 'Clear' dog will not pass on the Fanconi gene.
CARRIER
This result indicates that one copy of the Fanconi gene is present in your dog.
Dogs with Carrier status will not develop Fanconi Syndrome but will pass on the Fanconi gene 50% of the time.
AFFECTED
This result indicates that two copies of the Fanconi gene are present in the dog. These dogs will develop Fanconi Syndrome & will always pass on the Fanconi gene to their progeny.
INDETERMINATE
Between Carrier or Clear - Best to regard as a carrier when making breeding decisions to be safe.
Breeding Pair Combinations
| Parents | Offspring Fanconi Results |
| Clear x Clear | 100% Clear puppies guaranteed |
| Clear x Carrier | 50 % Clear, 50 % Carrier (these are averages) |
| Clear x Affected | 100% Carrier guaranteed |
| Carrier x Carrier | 25 % Clear, 50 % Carrier, 25 % Affected (these are averages) |
| Carrier x Affected | 50% Carrier, 50% Affected (these are averages) |
| Affected x Affected | 100% Affected puppies guaranteed |
Please note: All responsible breeders should now be testing their Basenjis for the Fanconi DNA Linkage Marker test before breeding from them. Fanconi Syndrome is generally fatal if not treated correctly.
Fanconi Syndrome is a renal tubular dysfunction that was first reported in the Basenji in 1976, and has since drawn the interest of researchers due to its similarity to Human Fanconi Disease.
The normal function of the kidney is to "filter" the blood, reclaiming amino acids, salts, and various important chemicals and letting the wastes go into the urine. With Fanconi Syndrome, the cells of the proximal tubule in the kidney do not function properly so that things that should be reclaimed go into the urine. The body thus loses vital constituents needed for normal functions.
Symptoms of this disorder are polydipsia (increased thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), dehydration, weight loss, changes in haircoat, and weakness. These signs can mimic Diabetes. However, there are not correspondingly high blood sugar levels. Many vets have falsely labelled the disorder diabetes, kidney failure or thyroid deficiency due to lack of knowledge of the syndrome. The signs may appear as early as the age of three, but Basenjis between the ages of five and eight have shown the highest rate of occurrence. Unfortunately, by this age, the dogs may have passed the condition on to new generations.
While there is yet no cure for Fanconi Syndrome, research does go on. Meanwhile the prognosis for the health of affected dogs is very good if owners work with their veterinarian on identifying their dog's metabolic deficiencies and place them on a vitamin, mineral, bicarbonate, replacement regimen, combined with a high protein diet, to make up for the kidney's losses. This has been developed by Dr Steve Gonto, M.M.Sc, Ph.D, USA, who has produced a Fanconi disease Management Protocol for veterinarians, copies of which are available from the Basenji Club of Victoria, or from the Internet. A Fanconi affected dog has what is termed medically as "high output" failure. There is NO problem with toxin build up since the kidney is filtering things OUT just fine. Thus the treatment for Fanconi involves almost the opposite of "low output" failure.
Fanconi affected dogs need free access to clean water, high protein diets, and the replacement of whatever electrolytes and bicarbonate they are urinating away, in order to restore a normal blood, chemistry and acid base balance. periodic follow-up blood work to measure electrolytes and venous pH will be essential to the maintenance of your affected pet's health. With proper medical management, Fanconi Syndrome does NOT have to be a slowly debilitating, lethal condition and affected dogs may expect an active full life expectancy.
Click HERE for the "Fanconi Disease Management" Protocol for Veterinarians.
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