Basenji and Health
As a collective whole, the basenji is a very healthy breed. While there are two significant diseases—Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Fanconi Syndrome—that have plagued the breed, careful, wise, responsible, and conscientious breeding, along with recent genetic testing, has pointedly diminished the occurrences of these diseases. Conscientious breeding continues to ensure an overall healthy basenji.
There are hereditary eye conditions that can occur throughout a basenji’s lifespan. Regular examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist, a certified Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is essential, beginning at 7 weeks of age. The results of all OFA Eye Certification Registry certificates should be available to potential breeders and people interested in a potential puppy. Basenjis with hereditary eye conditions, where the mode of inheritances are unknown, should be bred cautiously with the goal to reduce the occurrence in future generations.
Fanconi Syndrome is a condition in which the renal (kidney) tubules do not function properly. Instead of properly reabsorbing water, electrolytes, and nutrients into the body, the tubules “spill” them back into the urine to be expelled from the body. Unlike kidney failure which is a failure of the kidneys to process out waster and clear chemicals from the bloodstream, Fanconi Syndrome causes the loss of too many which need to be replace orally through supplementation. Untreated Fanconi Syndrome results in muscle wasting, acidosis, poor condition, and eventually death. With on-going treating using the Gonto Protocol, Fanconi basenjis in which the disease is caught early have, on average, the same life span as a non-Fanconi basenji.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in basenjis can cause progressive vision loss leading to blindness. Although there are multiple forms of PRA, one form caused by PRA-BJ1 accounts for approximate;y 50% of all PRA disease affecting basenjis. Due to the late onset of PRA, it is important to have the DNA test for PRA-BJ1 completed before breeding. The gene test for PRA-BJ1 is offered by multiple labs, including the OFA and OptiGen. We suggest all breeders and owners list their results on the OFA website. The results should be available to potential breeders and people interested in a potential puppy.
Descendants of basenjis, where both parents have DNA tested clear may be declared genetically free of Fanconi and PRA-BJ1. However, even though errors in DNA testing are extremely rare, further testing for the first generation should be considered for breeding stock.
DNA Testing is available for both PRA and Fanconi. The different results of DNA testing are Affected, Carrier, and Clear in Fanconi, or Affected, Carrier, Normal in PRA. Affected dogs should not be used in a breeding program unless bred to a Clear, and only as a last resort tool to keep a pedigree from potentially being lost and keeping the additional genetic material that comes with said dog in the gene pool. Carriers should be bred only to Clears, too, for the same reasons as stated under Affected dogs. It is important to stress that a Carrier results means the dog genetically carries the disease, but will never come down with it themselves, and should only be a factor for breeding purposes.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane is a condition where the fetal membrane of the eye does not completely reabsorb. It is a minor and normally benign disorder that is extremely common in Basenjis. Based on CERF statistics through 2006, about 77% of all Basenjis have some PPM as puppies, with about 70.5% having the mildest form – a form that is permitted in dogs certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and is generally agreed to have no affect on quality of life or vision. Of the remaining 6.5%, about 1.8% have sheets as puppies, the more severe form that can cause visual blurring. PPM does not progress, and in fact often puppies with mild PPM have it reabsorb and disappear completely as they age. For this reason PPM can get better, and it does not get worse.
Hip dysplasia occurs in a very small percentage of basenjis. (As of 12-13-2016, basenjis ranked 159 out of 175 of all breeds with more than 100 cases. Of basenjis tested, only 3.34% were abnormal.) If a breeder chooses to evaluate for hip dysplasia, it is preferable for X-Rays to have been read and registered with an accredited agency such as, Penn Hip, www.pennhip.org or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), www.ofa.org. A copy of the results should be readily available to individuals looking to use an animal for breeding, and/or interested in a potential puppy.
Hypothyroidism occurs in a very small percentage of basenjis (5.38% of the dogs tested as of 12-31-2016). It can be a result of autoimmune thyroiditis. The OFA has an open registry for dogs that have been tested for autoimmune thyroiditis at 12 months or older, using approved laboratories. Basenjis with autoimmune thyroiditis should not be bred.
Umbilical hernias are very common in Basenjis, with most being minor hernias that do not normally cause problems for the dog. Umbilical hernias can be repaired at any time; the surgery is often done when a pet is spayed or neutered or during any other procedure requiring anesthesia. Small closed hernias generally do not cause problems; large or open hernias can cause problems if a loop of intestine gets caught in the hernia. Some breeders routinely repair even small closed hernias. Dogs which have had umbilical hernias repaired are still eligible for participation in AKC conformation events. Inguinal hernias are uncommon in Basenjis. They generally do require surgical repair. Dogs with repaired inguinal hernias are not eligible for participation in AKC conformation events. Small closed umbilical hernias generally are not an issue in breeding, although selection away from umbilical hernias is desirable. Large or open hernias should be considered as a strike against breeding stock. Inguinal hernias are a serious defect, and dogs with inguinal hernias should not be bred.
Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own Basenji can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed. Good breeders utilize genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.
For a complete listing of all Basenji health issues, please check out the BCOA Health Issues page or read the Basenji Health Pamphlet.