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The Basset Hound does not need fussy
coat care due to his hard, short coat which repels dirt
and water rather well. However, they should be brushed
weekly to remove any loose hair and dirt. Bassets do not
shed very much if brushed regularly. The Basset Hound
needs a bath only four to six times a year because a good
rubdown with a coarse cloth or a hounds glove will remove
a great deal of dirt and bring a shine to the coat.
Regular grooming helps create a bond between owner
and pet. Wipe out the insides of the ears once a week.
The Basset's heavy ear leather prevents loss of moisture
from inside the ear, and, if it is not cleaned out with
a cotton ball and a solution recommended by your veterinarian,
odor and/or infection can result. Clean the outside
of the ears also because they often drape in food and
water dishes and pick up dirt from the ground. Trim
the nails every 1-3 weeks to allow the dog to walk correctly
on his feet and properly support his heavy weight. Puppies
need more frequent clipping than the adult. Should you
hear the nails clicking on the floor, they need to be
cut. Have your veterinarian or breeder show you how
to properly clip your dog's nails. Clean your Basset's
teeth with a soft toothbrush and water/doggie toothpaste
to prevent plaque buildup. You may want the veterinarian
to show you the proper procedure for anal gland care
as another means of keeping your dog odor-free and comfortable.
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GENERAL HEALTH
The Basset Hound claims excellent
health. He is not prone to many hereditary weaknesses
that are present in some other breeds. Many of the Basset's
health problems can be attributed to his owner because
he allowed his dog to become overweight, possibly resulting
in aggravated arthritis, back problems, or heart trouble.
Physical fitness is as important to the Basset as it is
to humans. The Basset Hound enjoys running and leading
an active life. Dogs raised in areas of the country where
they can participate in the popular sport of field trialing
can enjoy particularly good health. The Basset is an endurance
dog.
All breeds can carry genetic disorders
or hereditary faults. The following list includes some
of the problems that can develop in Bassets.
Von Willebrand's Disease
A hereditary disorder appearing
in some Bassets is Von Willebrand's disease, a platelet
disorder resulting in mild to moderately severe bleeding
and a prolonged bleeding time. Careful pedigree analysis
and blood testing have reduced the incidence of this
disease by reputable breeders.
Eyes
The Basset is one of the breeds
predisposed to glaucoma.
Bloat
Like many other breeds with a
deep chest, the Basset is susceptible to gastric dilatation
with torsion of the stomach (bloat). This can be a problem
regardless of age. Torsion or bloat is considered an
emergency and action must be taken immediately.
Paneosteitis
Paneosteitis is an elusive ailment
occasionally seen in young Bassets. It is also known
as wandering or transient lameness. Attacks are usually
brought on by stress and aggravated by activity, and
up to now, the cause and the cure are unknown. This
mysterious disease causes sudden lameness, but its greatest
potential danger may lie in false diagnosis, resulting
in unnecessary surgery. A puppy will typically outgrow
it by the age of two with no long term problems. It
can be quite minor, or so bad that the dog will not
put any weight on the leg. Symptoms may be confused
with "elbow displasia", "hip displasia", "patellar luxation"
and other more serious disorders. The most definite
way to diagnose paneosteitis is radiographically. Even
with this, signs can be quite minimal and easily missed.
As to treatment, no cure was found in experimental tests
and the only helpful thing found was relief for pain
(aspirin, cortisone, etc.) However, using these, the
dog tends to exercise more and thereby aggravate the
condition. Note again: A
GREAT MANY VETS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS DISEASE IN THE BASSET.
In diagnosing the cause of a Basset's
lameness, a radiograph of the forelimbs may indicate
a condition called elbow incongruity. (Elbow incongruity
is a poor fit between the 3 bones which comprise the
elbow joint.) Studies to date indicate that elbow incongruity
is normal in the Basset and is not the cause of the
lameness. It is also suspected that many of the previously
mentioned unnecessary (panosteitis) surgeries have been
performed on Basset Pups just because radiographs that
were taken showed elbow incongruity. A study on forelimb
lameness in the Basset is currently underway at the
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
As previously mentioned they have determined that elbow
incongruity occurs in the Basset but suspect that incongruity
rarely causes the lameness. During the course of the
study, conservative therapy will be recommended for
all cases in which panosteitis appears to be the cause
of the lameness. In cases with severe growth deformities
or elbow pain associated with elbow incongruity, surgery
may be recommended. If your Basset develops lameness
and is diagnosed with an "elbow problem", discuss with
your veterinarian the possibility of panosteitis.
Allergies
Some Bassets may have allergies
to grasses. Hanging t heir head close to the ground
for long periods of time will further aggravate it.
If an allergy is diagnosed, a veterinarian can prescribe
a mild eye ointment or other appropriate treatment.
Ears
The long drooping ear
predisposes the Basset to otitis externa, (smelly yucky
ears). This is easily prevented if ear cleaning is done
regularly,such as when nails are clipped. Check with
your veterinarian for an ear wash, or make a preventative
cleaning mix of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% white
vinegar.
Paws
Due to the Basset's large
paws, they are prone to interdigital cysts, abscesses
and fungus infections between the digits (toes). |
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Feeding
Adult Basset Hounds generally
eat between 2 and 4 cups of food per day. (Many dog
food labels have you over-feeding your dogs.) Bassets
often have a tendency to get fat, partly because their
sad look lends their owners to "take pity on them" and
give them more food than they require. Overeating is
dangerous to all dogs. Puppies, depending on their age,
will eat from two to four meals per day in proportion
to their size. You should avoid feeding your Basset
fad foods; feed a well-balanced, name brand dry food
supplemented with a quality canned food and/or other
supplements. Many canine nutrition experts feel that
vitamin supplements are not needed when using a top
quality name-brand dog food. If a vitamin is used, care
must be takne to avoid over-supplementing. Check with
your veterinarian to see what is best for your dog.
Store or generic brand dogs foods should not be used.
A pregnant female Basset gradually requires more food
and a supplement as recommended by your veterinarian.
Exercise
As a puppy, the Basset should never be given too much
exercise because of the heavy boned front. Care must
also be taken to protect the front when jumping off
anything, stairs, tables, etc.
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