Prevalence and geographic distribution of Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis in the United States.

Abstract

A survey was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis and to determine in which geographic regions the greatest number of affected dogs resided. A thousand questionnaires were distributed nationally, and 624 (62%) were returned. Through this survey, prevalence, geographic distribution, and breeder involvement were successfully correlated with the overall association of the disease with the Basenji breed. Ten percent (96/959) of all Basenjis involved in the survey had Fanconi syndrome. Half (50%; 48/96) of the Basenjis affected were between 4 and 8 years old. Seventy-six percent (44/58) of owners of Basenjis with Fanconi syndrome were breeding their dogs, and 93% (52/56) had owned other Basenjis before the survey was conducted. Females outnumbered males (3:1) in frequency of the disease. This ratio reflected the higher breeder participation in the survey, rather than being a true gender predilection for the disease.