Let's go CERFing!
by Mary Lou Kenworthy
Did you know that Basenjis with mild PPM can be CERFed?
Before January 1, 2002, many Basenjis were denied CERF numbers because of insignificant strands of Persistent Pupillary Membranes. Therefore many of them were not further tested - depriving us of useful knowledge about Progressive Retinal Atrophy. In recent years, the BCOA requested CERF to change the ruling on PPM and now less severe PPM (iris to iris) will CERF. The more severe forms of PPM still will not CERF. Those Basenjis that did not CERF because of PPM before January 1, 2002 should be tested again and, barring other inherited eye problems, will now CERF. Owners, and particularly breeders, need to drag out parents, grand parents and even great grand parents as they will probably now CERF. Normal age related eye changes will not keep a dog from CERFing. There is no excuse for not checking the eyes of older dogs even if they have previously failed to CERF.
Knowledge is a powerful tool and much can be learned from checking CERF statistics. This is a great way to search for Basenjis with normal eyes and thus avoid the breed's main and ever spreading eye problem, PRA, as well as other eye problems.
A recent search has revealed that people are not using eye testing in Basenjis to its full advantage. Current CERF records show that the average Basenji is CERFed at 2 or 3 years of age (some a second time at 3 or 4) and then there are no records of further testing. One is left to wonder what this means; did the Basenji (a) develop PRA? (b) die young? or (c) does the owner not understand the significance of testing older dogs?
PRA (a problem that will eventually cause blindness) is late onset in Basenjis with the magic number being 6. CERF numbers on Basenjis younger than six years of age are virtually worthless if one is trying to avoid PRA.
Does this mean that CERFing Basenjis less than 6 years old is worthless?
Certainly not! Eye checks done early can reveal congenital and/or early onset problems and every Basenji that is going to be used for breeding should be CERFed before it is bred. Since it is neither advisable nor practical to wait until the Basenji is past six to breed the first time, the presence or absence of PRA usually has to wait until after a litter or two has been produced. Therefore, it is vital that parents and grand parents (even great grandparents) be tested after the age of six in order to ascertain the genetic eye health of their descendants. Inherited late onset problems have to be steered away from by looking in the rear view mirror.
Is it important to test Basenjis that are not used for breeding?
Yes, for several reasons. It can help prepare you if your beloved Basenji is going blind or relieve your mind to know that he/she is not. All Basenjis have siblings and parents so the knowledge of their eye health will add to the overall genetic knowledge of the eye health of the breed.
How can CERF statistics help me find Basenjis less likely to have PRA?
Surfing the CERF statistics can tell you many things, for example; which breeders are testing and where to find the healthiest Basenjis. Lines or families that have many relatives with CERF numbers after the age of six are least likely to have PRA problems. Those that aren't CERFed or do not CERF after the age of six should be considered suspicious.
How do I access CERF information?
Go to the CERF web site at http://www.vet.purdue.edu/~yshen/cerf.html. There you will find the CERF records starting from 1988. Click on 'CERF Certification Online Verification'. On this page you select your breed. Basenjis are BJ. Then you have the choices of searching By Dog's Name By CERF Number By Registration Number. If you do not have the dog's full name or numbers, type in any part of the name and it will probably come up. The easiest way to access information is to type in a kennel name and you will get all the dogs carrying that kennel name, many of those will be related.
The CERF statistics will give you the dog's name, CERF number, Registration number, date of birth and date(s) when the tests were performed. Simple math will tell you how old the dog was when he/she was last CERFed. A little logic will tell you the value of this information. Surfing the OFA web site will provide further health information on the breed.
Happy CERFing!
REMEMBER -- BASENJIS WITH MILD PPM CAN NOW BE CERFED,
DON'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER!
