Basset Hound Health
While basset hounds tend to be a very healthy breed there are some health issues that owners must be aware of when they consider adding one to their family and after they have one.
We strongly encourage all dog owners to seek advice from their veterinarians on ALL health issues and to keep up on ALL recommend immunizations/titers* that their veterinarian recommends. These change from time to time and place to place. We can not list here what owners should immunize their dogs for or prescribe any protocol for such immunizations or titers*.
Bloat a very deadly condition that can appear quickly without any warning. All basset hound owners should be aware of bloat, know how to recognize it as well as what to do when it happens. Bloat Information Download - Bloat Information BHCSC.pdf Bloat Chart Download - Bloat Chart 2013 copy.pdf
Panosteitis an inflammation involving various layers of the bones of young, growing dogs. This condition occurs spontaneously and ultimately resolves on its own. It is important to note that MANY veterinarians do not accurately diagnose this disease especially in basset hounds. It is very important to make sure that before any surgery is performed that a basset hound expert examines your dog. Panosteitis pdf Information Download - Panosteitis
Cancer is the number one disease related killer of pets. Many people do not realize that cancer is not just a human condition; it affects our pets as well.
Glaucoma is the elevation of pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP) beyond a specific point at which vision is compromised or is no longer possible. Glaucoma is a frequent cause of blindness in humans and animals. Glaucoma Information Download - Canine Galucoma.pdf
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) is a disease syndrome seen in dogs, characterized by the acute (sudden) onset of bloody diarrhea, usually explosive, accompanied by high packed cell volumes (red blood cells).
Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) is a bleeding disorder or blood disease caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), an adhesive glycoprotein in the blood required for normal platelet binding (i.e., clotting) at the sites of small blood vessel injuries.
Basset Hound Thrombopathia is an hereditary, intrinsic platelet disorder that has been described in basset hounds and spitz dogs that causes excessive bleeding.
Canine Hip Displasia is characterized by an abnormal formation of the hip joint, occurs in many mammals. Both dogs and humans may fall victim to this disease, although it is far more prevalent in dogs.
Elbow Displasia is a cause of front-leg lameness in large-breed dogs. It is not considered to be common in basset hounds but it does occur.
Degenerative Disc Disease of an intervertebral disk may lead to protrusion, or bulging, or it may cause herniation, or rupture. Pain and weakness or paralysis may occur, depending on the degree of damage to the spinal cord. Damage is the result of both mechanical compression of spinal tissue and secondary reactive vascular and chemical changes within the tissue. This damage to tissues results in disruption of normal spinal cord function.
Allergies in dogs are essentially the same as allergies in humans. Dogs can show allergic symptoms when their immune systems begin to recognize certain everyday substances -or allergens- as dangerous.
*An antibody titer is a measurement of how much antibody an organism has produced that recognizes a particular epitope, expressed as the inverse of the greatest dilution that still gives a positive result. See your veterinarian for more information.
On this website we do not have the space or expertise to cover all of these issues and will not attempt to do so. The titles above are links to either our website or an independent website with information.
It is prudent of all basset hound owners and breeders to know and understand these health issues. Always seek advice from a licensed veterinarian and your basset’s breeder when you suspect any health issues with your basset hound. If you have any doubts about a diagnosis get a second opinion from an expert in the related field who also knows the breed. This can be very important!
The Basset Hound Club of America, Inc. has a page with many more links that we encourage you to look at. We feel it necessary to note that some of these links no longer work. Of course you can also do an Internet search for these topics as well.
Extensive List of Health Links for Basset Hounds