Basenji Health Information

Description

Haemolytic Anaemia, (Also known as Pyruvate Kinase

Deficiency Haemolytic Anaemia):-

Thankfully this disease has nearly been eliminated, due to thorough testing, by breeders, worldwide.

H.A is where red blood cells are destroyed too quickly. This is due to a lack of an enzyme, called Pyruvate Kinase, (P.K.). Signs and symptoms of the disease include: - the dog tires easily and sleeps more, they may faint, usually have very pale/white gums and will often have ‘golden’ coloured faeces. Dogs will typically die by approximately 2-4 years of age.

A DNA test is available and results are either clear, carrier or affected. There are a few carriers still in the gene pool world-wide, but thankfully this disease is nearly eradicated.IPSID

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is low levels of Thyroid Hormone found in the blood stream. The thyroid basically controls the metabolism of most cells, in the body. Unfortunately, Basenji’s appear to have quite a high incidence of this disease. The signs and symptoms vary greatly, but will often include: - aggressiveness, weight gain, (or sometimes weight loss), lethargy, infertility, poor coat condition, skin issues, temperature intolerance, (usually to cold), irregular heat cycles etc. There are many other signs and symptoms that may present in the dog, so a thorough evaluation is needed by your Vet, if you suspect this to be a problem in your dog. Treatment is with a thyroid supplement usually given daily, and affected dogs will usually respond very quickly to treatment.

Diagnosis is made via a blood test and it is usually recommended that a full thyroid panel is collected, i.e. T3, Free T3, T4, Free T4, T3AA, T4AA, TSH, (although this is not always recommended), and finally TgAA. At the time that I was testing my dogs for this, I was unable to get the complete test done in Australia, for a reasonable price, so I sent my bloods here...Once the results are known we highly recommend that you send the results to Dr Jean Dodds. Dr Dodds has a particular interest in Hypothyroidism in dogs, and in particular sighthounds. Her vast knowledge in this area is of particular interest to Basenji lovers all around the world. Even if the bloods are taken elsewhere, Dr Dodds is more than happy to read the results, and inform your Vet on an appropriate course of treatment, if need be.

Another test which should be done is the TgAA, for Autoimmune Lymphocytic Thyroiditis. It is believed to be a genetic issue for Basenji’s. It is a single gene disorder, and a recessive trait. A positive result will only be found in dogs which have the 2 genes. Negative results will show no genes. Results are only positive or negative, they will not show carriers, unfortunately. It is advised to test annually until 5-6 years, because if the autoantibodies are not present at this age, it’s unlikely to develop the disease.

This disease over the years has also been known as Basenji Diarrhoea Syndrome, Chronic Intractable Diarrhoea, Malabsorbtion Syndrome, or finally Basenji Enteropathy.

Basically IPSID is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, which results in the dog not being able to absorb nutrients from its food. It is thought to be inherited, but other factors may also predispose dogs to it i.e. physical or emotional stress.

Some of the signs and symptoms include; diarrhoea, weight loss, increase or decrease appetite, flatulence, vomiting, depression, dry coat and skin, and finally hair loss. The type of symptoms and their severity do differ from dog to dog. These dogs have good days and bad days. Prognosis is poor, although it’s thought that Holistic Medicine does/can offer some relief to these dogs. Treatment is mostly aimed at treating the signs and symptoms that the dog displays e.g. vitamin/mineral supplements, antibiotics, prednisolone and also a thorough investigation of the dog’s diet, including an elimination diet.

IPSID :- (Immunoproliferative Small Intestine Disease)

This disease over the years has also been known as Basenji Diarrhoea Syndrome, Chronic Intractable Diarrhoea, Malabsorbtion Syndrome, or finally Basenji Enteropathy.

Basically IPSID is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, which results in the dog not being able to absorb nutrients from its food. It is thought to be inherited, but other factors may also predispose dogs to it i.e. physical or emotional stress.

Some of the signs and symptoms include; diarrhoea, weight loss, increase or decrease appetite, flatulence, vomiting, depression, dry coat and skin, and finally hair loss. The type of symptoms and their severity do differ from dog to dog. These dogs have good days and bad days. Prognosis is poor, although it’s thought that Holistic Medicine does/can offer some relief to these dogs. Treatment is mostly aimed at treating the signs and symptoms that the dog displays e.g. vitamin/mineral supplements, antibiotics, prednisolone and also a thorough investigation of the dog’s diet, including an elimination diet.

Hernia’s

An umbilical hernia is quite a common problem in the Basenji’s. It is a condition in which abdominal contents protrude through the abdominal wall, at the area of the umbilicus. It is often just the fat that protrudes. They are usually quite small and will often decrease in size as the pup grows. They are usually not serious and can be reduced at the time a pup is desexed, or undergoes any other type of anaesthesia. They are thought to be inherited.

Inguinal hernias are uncommon in the Basenji, but they do crop up occasionally. It occurs when the abdominal contents/fat protrude through the inguinal rings, which is located at the inner fold of the rear leg, the groin area. If they are large enough they can affect part of the intestinal loop, the bladder and/or uterus, so it is important that they are closed as early as possible. They are more common in bitches than dogs. They are also thought to be inherited.

NB: If a hernia is strangulated, it is a Veterinary emergency, and treatment is needed immediately.

Eye Disease

 

PPM:- (Persistent Pupillary Membrane)

This is where the foetal membrane of the eye, does not completely reabsorb, as it should. It is a very common disease in the Basenji. What a puppy is born with, will never become worse, in fact, often it will fade to very little as the dog matures. This membrane should be gone by the time the pup is approximately 14 days old.

It can come in all shapes, sizes and severities, as well as affecting different parts of the eye. Sometimes it can be seen by the naked eye, (extensive PPM), or it may be small enough to only be seen by an eye specialist with his specialised equipment. If it is extensive, a reduction in sight, is possible, and in a very few cases, blindness can occur.

It is believed to be inherited. The exact mode hasn’t been determined as yet. All pups should have an Ophthalmological assessment at 7-10 weeks, in order to get an accurate diagnosis.

PRA :- (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

This is an eye condition in which the retina begins to deteriorate, causing a loss of vision, which will lead to blindness. Unfortunately the Basenji has late onset, (approximately between 4-9 years of age), when
often the dog/bitch has already been bred from. While some breeds that are affected by PRA have a DNA test available, unfortunately the Basenji doesnt at this point in time. Testing is done by a Veterinary Opthalmologist.

Signs and symptoms include, night blindness, (usually this is the first indication that your dog may be PRA affected), which then leads to gradual day blindness, then total blindness. Eye examinations should be done yearly. It’s thought to be a simple recessive gene.

Coloboma

This is an absence, either complete or partial, of a portion of an eye, which occurs in the foetal development. Basenjis are usually affected on the optic nerve. It is inherited through recessive genes. They generally dont appear to affect a dog’s vision. It is suggested that dogs diagnosed with Coloboma’s are culled from a breeder’s producing stock.