Current Breed Health and Conservation Plan, developed in conjunction with The Kennel Club.

​

All breeds of dogs have inherited health issues and Basenji's are no exception, therefore we recommend that all potential puppy owners consider purchasing their puppy from a breeder who health tests for Fanconi, PPM and Hip Dysplasia. Additionally, potential owners should ask to view the certificates and understand the results in order to make an educated choice before any purchase.

​

Below is a list of some common health problems found in Basenjis.

Fanconi Syndrome

Fanconi syndrome is a disorder in which the kidney’s proximal renal tubules do not properly reabsorb electrolytes and nutrients back into the body, but instead "spill" them into the urine. Symptoms include excessive drinking (polydipsia), excessive urination (polyuria), and glucose in the urine (glucosuria.) If Fanconi is left untreated, muscle wasting, acidosis, and poor condition will also occur. Untreated, a Basenji with Fanconi syndrome will generally die from the disorder. If caught early and put on the treatment protocol, affected Basenjis can do well.

FAC - Fanconi Syndrome - test available for Basenjis

For more information on Fanconi, please visit the University of Missouri website http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/Fanconi/basicFAN.htm

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket is badly formed, often leading to lameness and arthritis. It is believed to be polygenic, with multiple genes involved in its expression. Approximately 3 - 3.5% of Basenji x-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) are dysplastic. The actual rate of hip dysplasia may well be higher, as the veterinarian and owner may not submit dysplastic results.

Testing

Breeding stock should be x-rayed for hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has a web site that permits downloads and searches of dogs that have passed with a grade of Fair, Good, or Excellent. In addition, the OFA has recently added the option of having results placed in an open health registry, so that Borderline and Dysplastic ratings can be made public.

​

 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) screening programme for hereditary eye disease in dogs is run in conjunction with the Kennel Club (KC).

The BVA/KC Eye scheme is based on eye examination and is a means of identifying inherited and non-inherited ocular conditions in dogs. The majority of dogs presented for examination under the Eye Scheme are pedigree dogs with known inherited diseases of the eye, but all dogs, including cross breeds, can be examined. This approach reassures breeders that the dogs they are to use for breeding have healthy eyes and the inclusive approach means that new and emerging problems are more likely to be recognised.

The aim of the Eye Scheme is to reduce or eliminate the incidence of inherited eye disease.

​

The current test checks for over 21 known eye diseases, therefore it is imperative ALL breeding Basenjis should have completed this test.

Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM)

Persistent Pupillary Membrane is a condition where the fetal membrane of the eye does not completely reabsorb. It is extremely common in Basenjis. This disorder does not progress, and in fact often puppies with mild PPM become normal as they get older.

Testing It is a good idea for breeders to have an BVA certified veterinary ophthalmologist check their puppies at 7-9 weeks of age, to determine the presence or absence of PPM. Most PPM is not associated with visual problems, although very severe PPM can cause visual difficulties. However, PPM that severe has become very uncommon as breeders breed away from it. Breeders should be aware of the PPM status of their dogs. A Basenji with iris to iris PPM can receive a Canine Eye Registration Foundation certificate. All other grades of PPM (iris to lens, iris to cornea, and iris sheets) cannot. Most Basenji breeders will not disqualify a dog from breeding solely due to mild PPM. PPM can get better, but does not get worse. A CERF exam will show current PPM status, but it does not tell you whether or not the dog can produce offspring with PPM.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): An Overview

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA, is a condition of the retina in the eye. PRA encompasses many diseases which all progress over time and eventually lead to blindness. The retina works in the eye much as the film in a camera works. It changes the light it receives into images which are then sent down the optic nerve to be interpreted by the brain. When a dog has PRA the retina either stops developing prematurely or the light receptors degenerate early in life. With this condition both eyes are equally affected. The different forms of PRA vary in the age at which they first develop and in the rate at which they progress. Cases can be early onset with rapid progression to late onset with slow progression or any combination of the sorts. Every case is different and definite age of onset or how quickly progression will occur can never be known for sure.

 

Since PRA has been identified, numerous dog breeds have been found to have the disease. Some breeds that PRA is commonly found in are Irish Setters, Rough Collies, Miniature and Toy Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, English Cocker Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyeds.

Causes of Progressive Retinal Atrophy

PRA is an inherited disorder. This means it is passed down from parents to offspring. In many breeds there is now a test which can be done that allows breeders and owners to know if a dog is clear of the disease, a carrier of the disease, or affected by the disease.

 

Symptoms of Progressive Retinal Atrophy

PRA over time will lead to blindness. The first sign of this disease is typically night blindness. Owners may observe their dog being hesitant to walk down dark hallways or staircases, or be less likely to go outside at night. As PRA progresses daytime vision will also be lost. In addition to these symptoms pupil dilation, or enlargement, is seen due to the eye attempting to let in more light along with an increase in the amount of light reflected back off the eye. In some cases cataracts may appear but are not the cause of the blindness. There is no pain associated with PRA and dogs seem to adjust very well to their blindness. In some cases owners may not even realize the dog is having problems seeing until they are taken out of their home environment.

 

Diagnosing Progressive Retinal Atrophy

PRA is diagnosed by an eye examination by a veterinarian. There are certain changes which can be seen in the eye characteristic of PRA. In addition to an eye exam an electroretinography may be done to obtain a diagnosis. An electroretinography measures the electrical responses in the retina to determine if it is functioning properly.

​

Coloboma: a congenital abnormality in ocular development usually characterized by focal absence of tissue, commonly (though not exclusively) located at the 6 o’clock position associated with failure of closure of the optic fissure.