Editing Basenji (section)

==Health==
There is only one completed health survey of dog breeds, including the Basenji, that was conducted by the UK Kennel Club in 2004. The survey indicated the prevalence of diseases in Basenjis with dermatitis (9% of responses), incontinence and bladder infection (5%), [[Hypothyroidism in dogs|hypothyroidism]] (4%), [[pyometra]] and infertility (4%).<ref name="KC Survey">Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. [http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Purebred Dog Health Survey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813043548/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 |date=13 August 2013 }}. Retrieved 5 July 2007</ref>

===Longevity===
Basenjis in the 2004 [[UK Kennel Club]] survey had a median lifespan of 13.6 years (sample size of 46 deceased dogs),<ref name="KC Survey"/> which is 1–2 years longer than the median lifespan of other breeds of similar size. The oldest dog in the survey was 17.5 years. The most common causes of death were old age (30%), [[urologic]] (incontinence, [[Fanconi syndrome]], chronic kidney failure 13%), behavior ("unspecified" and aggression 9%), and cancer (9%).<ref name="KC Survey"/>

===Fanconi syndrome===
[[Fanconi syndrome]], an inheritable disorder in which the renal (kidney) tubes fail to reabsorb [[electrolyte]]s and nutrients,<ref>{{cite web | url= https://doglime.com/basenji-dog-breed/| title=Health Issues |date=28 February 2019 | publisher= Doglime}}</ref> is unusually common in Basenjis.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Noonan |first1=C. H. B. |last2=Kay |first2=J. M. |date=1990 |title=Prevalence and Geographic-distribution of Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis in the United States |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |volume=197 |issue=3 |pages=345–349|doi=10.2460/javma.1990.197.03.345 |pmid=2391269 }}</ref> Symptoms include excessive drinking, excessive urination, and glucose in the urine, which may lead to a misdiagnosis of diabetes. Fanconi syndrome usually presents between 4 and 8 years of age, but sometimes as early as 3 years 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 the age of 3 years. Glucose testing strips designed for human diabetics are inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. A Fanconi disease management protocol has been developed that can be used by veterinarians to treat Fanconi-afflicted dogs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gonto |first1=Steve |title=Fanconi Renal Disease Management Protocol for Veterinarians |url= https://basenjicompanions.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/aaa_fanconi-protocol-feb-2016.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://basenjicompanions.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/aaa_fanconi-protocol-feb-2016.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |date=12 February 2016 |publisher=Basenji Club of America |via=Basenji Companions website |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>

===Other Basenji health issues===
Basenjis sometimes carry a simple recessive gene that, when [[homozygous]] for the defect, causes [[hemolysis|genetic hemolytic anemia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basenjiweb.com/basenji-health-issues.html|title=Basenji Health Issues|work=basenjiweb.com|access-date=22 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820121605/http://www.basenjiweb.com/basenji-health-issues.html|archive-date=20 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most 21st-century Basenjis are descended from ancestors that have tested clean. When lineage from a fully tested line (set of ancestors) cannot be completely verified, the dog should be tested before breeding. As this is a non-invasive DNA test, a Basenji can be tested for HA at any time.

Basenjis sometimes suffer from [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]], resulting in loss of mobility and arthritis-like symptoms. All dogs should be tested by either [[Orthopedic Foundation for Animals|OFA]] or [[PennHIP]] prior to breeding.

[[Malabsorption]], or immunoproliferative enteropathy, is an autoimmune intestinal disease that leads to [[Anorexia (symptom)|anorexia]], chronic [[diarrhea]], and even death. A special diet can improve the quality of life for afflicted dogs.

The breed can also fall victim to [[progressive retinal atrophy]] (a degeneration of the retina causing blindness) and several less serious hereditary eye problems such as [[coloboma]] (a hole in the eye structure), and [[persistent pupillary membrane]] (tiny threads across the pupil).

<gallery widths="200" heights="200" perrow="5" caption="Basenji">
File:Trindle basenji.jpg|Trindle Basenji
File:Basenjis Charly e Bravo a sette mesi.jpg|A pair of red Basenjis
File:Billy Basenji.jpg|A black and white Basenji
</gallery>