Basset Health

Tips for Caring for your Basset Hound

• Feed only a high quality food. Bassets are prone to obesity. Many of the Basset's health problems can be attributed to his owner because he or she has allowed the dog to become overweight, possibly resulting in aggravated arthritis, back problems, or heart trouble.

• The Basset does not need fussy coat care, but because they tend to shed year-round they should be brushed at least weekly.

• Basset toe nails need to be kept short. Clip every couple of weeks. Start when they are puppies.

• Clean their ears, both inside and out once a week. Their heavy ear leather prevents loss of moisture from inside the ear. The outside of the ear will collect more dirt than other dogs because the ears fall into the water and food bowls and then drag along the ground. You can buy solution from your vet or use a 50% white vinegar and 50% rubbing alcohol mix.

• Brush their teeth. This will keep their breath fresher and their gums and teeth healthy.

• Heartworm preventative is a must in the South and many other parts of the country.

• Finally, meet regularly with a veterinarian to be sure your dog is healthy and protected from disease.

 

Heartworms

Heartworms is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Who is susceptible to heartworms? All dogs are susceptible. That's because most do gs do go outdoors, even if it's only for a short time. And mosquitoes can easily slip inside through cracks around windows, doors or screens. That means that every dog is at risk, indoors or out. Heartworm preventative must be administered all year round in Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts about Spaying/Neutering

All of our Bassets are spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

Spaying a young female prevents most mammary cancers. It also completely prevents problems with the uterus, such as pyometra and uterine cancer.

Neutering prevents most prostate cancers in male dogs. Diseases such as benign prostate hyperplasia, acute or chronic prostitis, perianal gland adenomas and prostatic abscesses are common in intact males. Neutering completely prevents testicular cancer in male dogs. Neutering also decreases aggression problems.

Sterilized pets never produce unwanted litters. Millions of dogs are killed each year in shelters simply because there are too many dogs and not enough homes. Roughly 11-19 MILLION cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year. Please spay or neuter your pet.

Bloat

Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very little about it. Basset Hounds are particularly at risk due to their deep chest. The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach may occur when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach. As the stomach swells, it may rotate causing it to twist trapping air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog. Click here for a helpful bloat chart.