The basset hound is a breed of dog of French origin that has historically been used for hunting thanks to its widely developed sense of smell for follow the trail of prey. However, its unique appearance and its loyal and fun character have made it an excellent companion dog, conquering admirers around the world.
Unfortunately, due to its morphology and the standardization process of the breed, the basset hound presents predisposition to various pathologies, therefore You need to receive adequate preventive medicine and appropriate care to preserve your good he alth throughout your life. In this article on our site we tell you what are the most common diseases in the basset hound to help you understand the needs and care for the he alth of your best friend.
Basset hound thrombopathy
The thrombocytopathies or thrombopathies in dogs comprise different hereditary or acquired disorders that affect blood platelets and impair their functioning.
Platelets are blood cells that perform activation, adhesion and aggregation functions, acting directly on the body's coagulation and healing capacity. Some diseases, such as thrombocytopathies, interfere with these functions, preventing platelets from grouping together and sticking together. As a consequence, the ability to heal is impaired and the body is more prone to bleeding and haemorrhaging.
Any dog can develop thrombocytopathy, but some breeds are more prone with characteristics inherent to their body. So much so, that according to research conducted by the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Center, the Athlantic Veterinary College, Prince Edward University of Iceland and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, shared in the Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)[1], one of these hereditary disorders particularly affects basset hound dogs, being known as "basset hound thrombopathy" and occupying the first place in the list of the main diseases of the basset hound. Among its main symptoms, we find:
- Difficulty healing wounds.
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis).
- Bleeding in the mucous membranes.
- Auricular hematomas (accumulation of blood in the ears).
Skin diseases in basset hounds: seborrhea
Seborrhea in dogs affects the scalp and leads to excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Therefore, its main symptoms are usually the formation of scabs or scales and the accumulation of fat on the scalp. Additionally, some dogs develop a strong, unpleasant odor from this buildup of oil on their skin and fur. In general, the most affected regions are the face, legs and torso.
This is a fairly common disease in dogs, which often appears secondary, as a symptom of other underlying conditions, such as allergies, nutritional deficiencies, the presence of parasites, metabolic or endocrine problems, autoimmune pathologies, skin cancer, etc. However, some breeds show a genetic predisposition to develop the so-called primary seborrhea, which is considered a hereditary disease Among them, we find not only the basset hound, but also the cocker spaniel, labrador retriever, shar pei, golden retriever, german shepherd, west highland white terrier, etc.
Intervertebral disc disease
Due to its particular physical build, the basset hound is prone to various spinal problems, including intervertebral disc disease (EVID). This occurs when the soft cartilage discs between the vertebrae wear down and rupture (or herniate), causing compression of the spinal cord
This is one of the most common diseases in basset hounds, dachshunds and Welsh corgis, according to CIDD. However, it can affect other dogs and even cats, although less frequently. Your symptoms may vary depending on the degree and location of compression to which the spinal cord is subjected. They typically include the following conditions:
- Severe pain and/or hypersensitivity.
- Dificulty to walk.
- Loss of interest in playing, running, and/or performing daily activities (a consequence of pain and difficulty moving around).
- Lethargy.
- Paralysis of the limbs, the inability to raise the hind legs.
- Loss of control over the urinary and excretory tracts (urinary and/or fecal retention or incontinence).
Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome comprises different severe chronic degenerative disorders that affect the vertebrae and intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. These disorders lead to excessive compression of the spinal cord and the nerves located in the neck. Although it is more frequent in large dogs, mainly in the Doberman, it is also among the most common diseases in the basset hound due to the morphology of its vertebral column.
genetic predisposition appears as the main risk factor for Wobbler syndrome in dogs. However, some dogs can suffer a displacement of the intervertebral discs as a result of a strong trauma in the cervical region.
Its first symptoms are difficult to recognize in dogs, such as headache and neck stiffness. But as the disease progresses, more visible signs appear, such as wobbly walking, loss of balance, and difficulty moving. When observing these symptoms in your furry, do not hesitate to go quickly to the vet.
Basset hound eye diseases
There are several diseases that can affect the eyes of basset hounds, but the most common according to the data provided by the CIDD are the following:
Glaucoma
glaucoma in dogs is a degenerative pathology that affects the eyes of our best friends, leading to aprogressive loss of the sense of vision. The clinical picture is characterized by an excessive accumulation of aqueous humor and progressiveincreased intraocular pressure Ocular hypertension accelerates the degeneration of the retina and the optic nerve, which is why glaucoma can cause blindness or partial loss of vision.
Glaucoma can be acute or chronic. Like any degenerative process, glaucoma has a significant genetic burden, but it can also develop as a result of an underlying disease. In both cases, it is a silent disease, whose first symptoms are usually not very specific and difficult to identify in dogs.
To enable an early diagnosis of glaucoma, it is important to be attentive to changes in the behavior and appearance of your furry to recognize your first signs, such as:
- Sensitivity around the eyes.
- Headache (the dog may react negatively to being touched on the head, for example).
- Vomiting or nausea.
- Formation of a bluish halo around the iris.
- Blurred appearance of the pupil and iris.
- Irregular walking and spatial localization difficulty.
Ectropion and entropion in basset hounds
Entropion and ectropion are two different diseases that affect the eyes of dogs, and especially their eyelids. Both pathologies can be primary, when they develop from a malformation of the dog, which reveals an important genetic predisposition, but they can also be secondary, being associated with certain environmental conditions or some underlying disease.
entropion in dogs occurs when the edge of the eyelid folds totally or partially inwards, being in direct contact with the globe ocular. Its main symptoms are:
- Irritated eyes.
- Excessive tearing.
- Ocular discharge, which may be accompanied by blood or pus.
- Eyelid visibly turned inward.
- Thickening of the skin around the eyes.
- Difficulty opening eyes.
- Blepharospasms (twitches of the eyelids that are always closed).
- Impulse of constantly scratching or rubbing the eyes.
- Lethargy/depression.
- Pain (aggressive behaviors may appear due to intense pain).
- Vision loss.
In ectropion, the edge of the eyelid folds outwards, leaving exposed the conjunctiva palpebral (inner portion of the eyelid). Among its main symptoms, we find:
- Lower eyelid drooping and separated from the eyeball.
- Redness and/or inflammation of the conjunctiva.
- Recurring eye irritation.
- Ocular inflammation.
- Recurring eye infections.
In the basset hound, ectropion and entropion are associated with its morphology and the standardization of the breed. Although the appearance of "sad eyes" has been incorporated as an "attractive detail" of these dogs, it is essential to be attentive to the symptoms of ectropion and entropion, since both diseases can cause a lot of discomfort to the animal. And do not hesitate to take your furry to the vet when you observe any of the aforementioned signs.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia in dogs is a degenerative disease of genetic origin that unilaterally or bilaterally affects the elbow joint. It originates during the growth stage, when the bone tissue is altered and cannot develop properly.
In the first phase of the disease, the dog experiences inflammation of the joint (arthritis) which leads to osteoarthritis, that is that is, to a progressive wear of the structures that make up the joint and the bone tissue.
Usually, its symptoms appear in the first 6 months of the dog's life, including the following signs:
- Pain.
- Limp.
- Dificulty to walk.
- Exercise intolerance.
Although the hereditary factor plays a key role in elbow dysplasia, there are also other risk factors that can accelerate the degeneration of the joints, such as being overweight and inappropriate physical exertion or exercise. Therefore, it is very important to take care of your basset hound's diet and physical activity throughout its life.
Panosteitis
Panosteitis is a self-limiting inflammatory process that affects the extremities of the long bones of dogs, mainly during their growth period (up to 18 months of age). Its main symptoms are: signs of pain when walking, difficulty moving, lameness, lethargy, weight loss, depression and possible aggressive behavior due to intense pain.
Since it is a short-lived disease, its treatment generally consists of managing pain and improving the conditions of patient's life. However, it will also be essential to analyze the state of he alth of the animal to rule out possible underlying diseases that may have caused the inflammation in the bones and joints.
Any dog can develop panosteitis, but it is more common in young dogs of medium or large breeds. Genetic predisposition also plays a key role, however, obesity and inappropriate exercise appear as risk factors for panosteitis.
Obesity in the basset hound
The basset hound is one of the dogs prone to obesity, which is why it requires special attention to its nutrition and physical activity throughout its life. Unfortunately, many guardians think their dogs' plump appearance is a cute thing, but obesity is a progressive disease that worsens over time, leading to negative he alth consequences for dogs
Therefore, not only should it be treated quickly after the first symptoms are detected, but it also needs to be prevented throughout the life of our furry friends to avoid numerous diseases associated with obesity, such as the diabetes, the cardiovascular and joint problems, for example. On our site we also give you some tips to avoid obesity in dogs.
Other common basset hound diseases
Although the pathologies mentioned are the main basset hound diseases, they are not the only ones, and the following are also at risk:
- Gastric torsion
- Third eye prolapse
- Patella dislocation
- Follicular dysplasia
- Allergies
- Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
- Otitis
- Dry eye syndrome
- Conjunctivitis
These have been the most common diseases in the basset hound, however, it is very important to pay attention to your furry to recognize possible symptoms of other common diseases in dogs. Also, remember that the articles on our site are merely informative, so they are not a substitute for veterinary care. When observing any alteration in the appearance or appearance of your dog, do not hesitate to consult your trusted veterinarian.
