Survival time, lifespan, and quality of life in dogs with idiopathic Fanconi syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate survival time of dogs with idiopathic Fanconi syndrome.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
60 dogs with idiopathic Fanconi syndrome.


METHODS
Data were collected by means of questionnaires distributed to owners and veterinarians of dogs with idiopathic Fanconi syndrome and by examination of medical records when accessible. Questionnaires and records were reviewed for criteria used in diagnosis, treatments administered, survival time, and subjective owner perceptions regarding their dogs' general condition.


RESULTS
58 of the dogs were Basenjis. Fifty-seven dogs (95%) were reportedly managed by use of a single therapeutic regimen. Median survival time after diagnosis of Fanconi syndrome was 5.25 years; median estimated lifespan was calculated to be between 11.3 and 12.1 years. Owners of 28 of 29 (97%) dogs still alive at the time of the study subjectively assessed their dogs' general condition as good to excellent. Seizures or other neurologic dysfunction was reported for 11 dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that expected lifespan for dogs with idiopathic Fanconi syndrome was not substantially reduced, compared with expected lifespan for unaffected dogs, and that affected dogs generally had a good to excellent quality of life, as subjectively assessed by their owners. What effect the treatment regimen had on survival time or lifespan could not be determined, given the small number of dogs managed with other methods. The high percentage of dogs with neurologic abnormalities was a concern, but whether this was related to Fanconi syndrome or represented a breed-related predisposition to neurologic disease could not be determined.
New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Division of Comparative Pathology, One Pine Hill Dr, PO Box 9102, Southborough, MA 01772, USA.
Jennifer H
JH
Yearley
Dale D
DD
Hancock
Katrina L
KL
Mealey
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D004285:Dogs; D005198:Fanconi Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011788:Quality of Life; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome