Basset Health

Most breeders of pure breed dogs have a common ethic regarding dealing with congenital and inheritable diseases in their breed. That is, to breed out of their lines, those "diseases" which can be bred out.   Certain physical characteristics which define many different breeds, are technically "diseases", but for obvious reasons cannot and will not be bred out.   Following is a list of those congenital and inheritable diseases which mayaffect the Basset Hound.

Achondroplasia: abnormal development of cartilage leading to dwarfism (seen aberrantly in most breeds, but that's what makes a Basset hound and other achondroplastic breeds long and low).     Bloat: a condition where a dog's stomach produces excessive gas and enlarges severely enough to cause death without immediate treatment. Usually associated with gastric torsion (see below).     Gastric torsion: a condition where the stomach twists, thereby impeding input and output.      Ectropion: an abnormal rolling out of the eyelids.     Entropion: an abnormal rolling in of the eyelid.     Glaucoma: abnormally high pressure in the eye.     Otitis externa: an infection of the external structures of the ear.     (Eosinophilic) panosteitis: a painful inflammatory bone disease of young, rapidly growing dogs, often characterized by increased eosinophils in the blood.        von Willebrand's disease: a type of bleeding disorder caused by defective blood platelet function. Occurs in 59 dog breeds but most often in Doberman pinschers. An autosomal trait affecting both sexes.

Looking after the Basset Hound  CHOCOLATE AND DOGS DON'T MIX Milk chocolate is obtained from seeds of theobroma cacao after fermentation and roasting. Milk chocolate has about 44 mg/ounce of theobromine; a 4.5 oz. milk chocolate bar has about 240 mgs. of theobromine. Unsweetened baking chocolate has even more -- about 390 to 450 mgs of theobromine per ounce. Relative theobromine content per ounce for various products is: Milk chocolate: 44 - 60 mgs/ounce Unsweetened baking chocolate: 450 mg/oz Cacao meal: 300 - 900 mg/oz Cacao beans: 300 - 1200 mg/oz Hot chocolate: 13 mg/oz The lethal dosage of theobromine in dogs is between 250 and 500 mgs/kg, or about 2/3 to 1 1/3 of baking chocolate for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. However, serious non-fatal poisonings have been reported in dogs after eating smaller amounts. At our practice, a 20-pound dachshund showed serious signs of poisoning after eating 3/4 of a pound of milk chocolate and another 22-pound dog died after eating two pounds of baking chocolate. Deaths due to theobromine have been documented in horses who ate cocoa bean hulls used in bedding and in other livestock fed cocoa waste products. No chocolate poisonings have been reported in cats, which is probably a reflection of their eating habits. The the first signs of chocolate poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination and nausea. These can progress to cardiac arrhythmias and seizures. Dogs definitely have a sweet tooth. Dog-proof for home to keep your dog safe. Milk chocolate should never be given to your pet and it should be kept well out of reach. Unsweetened baking chocolate should be kept in closed containers in upper, latched cupboards. If your dog eats potentially dangerous amounts of chocolate and you can get the pet to your vet within two hours, vomiting can be induced to remove the poison. If longer than two hours has passed, the animal may need to be seen and treated. Direct any questions you may have to your veterinarian.   EXERCISING YOUR BASSET HOUND Bassets need only moderate amounts of exercise and new puppies who have regular access to a fenced yard will usually get enough physical activity.  It is important not to over-exercise a puppy while their muscles and bones are still forming, and until the age of  about 6 months, it is important that puppies be allowed to have a sleep after their play period or exercise. Families with children, who buy a new Basset as a pet or show prospect, must ensure that these children understand the need for their puppy to rest and recover. Because a Basset’s short legs restrict it's speed and do not allow it to easily keep up with someone who is running, a daily walk, with regular stops,to sniff and explore the local scents, is one of the best forms of exercise for you and your new best friend.  GROOMING THE BASSET HOUND The unique physical characteristics and size of the Basset Hound, means a little extra care is required.  Cleaning the ears The Basset Hound's do not allow good circulation of air and they are therefore prone to infection.  Owners need to clean the inside of their Basset’s ears at least once a week with a mild astringent or one of the many ear cleaners available from your local pet store or veterinarian.  After the cleaning solution is applied to the inside of the ear and your friend shakes it out all over you, use tissues, cotton-buds or baby wipes to clean away the dirt. Start cleaning your new puppy’s ears as soon as you bring him home to get him used t the process. Owners should also check frequently inside and around the ears for parasites like mites or ticks.   Cleaning the eyes With its droopy skin, the Basset’s eyes are susceptible to irritation. Eyes should be checked and gently cleaned whenever necessary.   Cleaning the teeth It is important for owners to keep the Basset’s teeth and gums clean and healthy.  Teeth should be brushed and checked for tartar deposits on a regular basis, and if you are knowledgeable with the use of a scaler, small tartar deposits can be carefully removed at home.  Heavy tartar  and scale build-up should be removed by your veterinarian.   Trimming the toenails A Basset’s toenails need to be kept short to prevent soreness and undue stress on their feet. Nails should be trimmed every 10 to 14 days and various types of nail clippers are available for this purpose.  Some owners use tools such as a "Dremel" high speed tool to grind and shape the nails, though many dogs are not happy about the noise.Your veterinarian will be happy to teach you how to trim your Basset’s nails if needed.  Most puppies will resist nail trimming, but with a bit of patience and a gentle approach  they will soon learn not to resist your efforts in this important part of grooming.   Grooming the coat Brush the Basset coat at least once weekly with a grooming mitt or similar. Coats which are shedding are best handled with a  shedding comb. Gently clean the head and ears with a damp cloth, as these areas do not shed to much hair.   Bathing Bassets can be bathed as often as you deem necessary with a dog shampoo or gentle human shampoo.  Many owners also regularly use a flea and tick shampoo ar additive in the normal shampoo. Thorough rinsing is necessary to ensure no soap is left in the coat.  Care must be taken to avoid getting shampoo and soapy water inside the ears, and cotton balls can be placed inside the ear canals to assist in this. Also try to avoid getting soap in their eyes and gently rinse with clean water if you do. Terry towelling cloth towels or an electric hair dryer may be used to dry the Basset, but again, most dogs are not keen on the noise of electrical implements.   Cleaning of the anal sacs All dog's anal sacs, which are located on either side of the anus, should to be checked and emptied regularly to avoid impaction and infection. Bassets with impacted anal sacs often drag their rear ends on the floor, though they may also do this to remove small pieces of dropping still on their bottom. Sacs are cleaned by holding the dog’s tail up and gently squeezing each sac, taking care as the smelly contents of impacted sacs will then squirt out. Owners who need assistance with this procedure should ask their veterinarian.