Basenji - Health Characteristics
Dog Breeds
Basenjis have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, one to two years longer than the median longevity of other dog breeds of similar size. Most common causes of death in Basenjis are old age, urological issues, behavioral problems, and cancer.
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Lifespan
Basenjis have an average lifespan of 10 - 12 years, one to two years longer than the median longevity of other breeds of similar size. Most common causes of death are old age, urological issues (incontinence, Fanconi syndrome, chronic kidney failure), behavioral problems, and cancer.
Common Health Problems
Fanconi Syndrome
Fanconi syndrome, an inheritable disorder in which the kidneys fail to reabsorb electrolytes and nutrients, is unusually common in Basenjis. Symptoms include excessive drinking, excessive urination and glucose in the urine, which may lead to a misdiagnosis of diabetes. Fanconi syndrome usually presents between four and eight years of age, but sometimes as early as three or as late as 10 years.
Fanconi syndrome is treatable and organ damage is reduced if treatment begins early. Basenji owners are advised to test their dog's urine for glucose once a month beginning at three years of age.
Other Basenji health issues
Basenjis sometimes carry a recessive gene which can cause genetic Hemolytic Anemia (HA), the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells in the blood vessels or elsewhere in the body. Basenjis may also suffer from hip dysplasia, immunoproliferative enteropathy, progressive retinal atrophy, and several less serious hereditary eye problems such as coloboma, and persistent pupillary membrane.