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According
to the literature, the Fanconi disease is a renal absorption failure
resulting in glucosuria in urine by normal to lowered blood sugar levels.
Accompanying this condition is an increased fluid intake in conjunction
with increased urine release (Polydipsia and Polyuria). Further, this
tubular disease of the kidneys is accompanied by a broad spectrum of
electrolytic disturbances, above all imbalance in the amino acid base,
which leads to a life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis greatly
increases the chances for the extending the patients life..
The therapy for the Fanconi disease is presently the continuous monitoring and treatment to correct the chemical imbalance. A cure is presently not available, nor envisioned in the near term. The Fanconi disease has more impact on the owner than on the patient in the restrictions placed on the owners quality of life, in that involuntarily urination from the afflicted animal precludes normal house broken behavior. The owner who does not desire to relinquish their charge is challenged to find the ways and means to live with this condition.
The diagnosis and monitoring of Falconi disease is relatively expensive and fraught with additional problems. The monitoring of the acidity via blood gas chromatography is especially difficult as the required equipment is not normally available in veterinary medicine. Cooperation with a human medicine practitioner or lung specialist would be sought. Zusammenfassend kann man sagen, Fanconi ist nicht heilbar, aber in gewissen Grenzen beherrschbar, fordert allerdings vom Besitzer eines erkrankten Hundes eine hohe Bereitschaft, mit dieser Erkrankung zu leben. Fanconi ist nach heutigem Kenntnisstand eine angeborene Erkrankung und tritt vor allem bei Basenjis auf. In den letzten Jahren werden leider auch immer häufiger Krankheitsfälle in Europa bekannt, so daß alle, die mit der Zucht der Basenjis befaßt sind, eine besondere Verantwortung für die weitere Ausbreitung dieser Erkrankung tragen.
In summary it can be stated that Fanconi is not curable but is within boundaries manageable, however places a burden for an elevated level of care upon the animals owner. The present state of affairs indicates Fanconi is an inherited disease with a predilection for the Basenji strain. Unfortunately there has been an increase in the appearance of new cases in Europe in recent years, which places a special burden on breeders to prevent the further spread of this disease. At present there exists no mechanism worldwide by which this disease can be detected. Therefore all Basenji breeders should take proper measures. The Basenji race in Europe is still relatively limited in number, which indicates the possibility to restrict or even eliminate this disease from the population. Paragraph 11 of the animal protection act states that "It is forbidden to breed ....animals, if the breeder can ascertain that subsequent generations based on traits inherited, of organs or limbs for the strain are missing, or unusable, or malformed to the extent that pain and suffering or malignancies appear." These restrictions, unfortunately ignored in the breeding of many purebred species, leads to incalculable suffering of afflicted animals. Not for reasons of compliance, but also the moral responsibility for the preservation of the Basenji race, all breeders should hold to the following explicit guidelines so as not to allow this race to perpetually suffer through ignorance or intent. Not to engage in the breeding of animals exhibiting traits of Fanconi disease. Disclose to breeders and owners the appearance of Fanconi in any whelp. To cooperate breeders and owners (incl. interregional) in furthering research - especially genetic based testing, for the identification of Fanconi. Place a premium on the genetic wellness of breeding stock. For the benefit of the breed, suspect animals are to be excluded from husbandry. As soon as testing for early detection are available, all breeders shall have their stock tested and owners their charges. Conformance with these rules will undoubtedly demand sacrifice, the results of which will provide this breed the characteristic of "to the greatest extent free of inherited disease".
Dr. Ralf Gerbig |
