February 1, 2008

Bassett Hounds: Top 5 Tips for Oral Care

When was the last time you thought about your Bassett Hounds teeth? Did you know that the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs is oral disease, making it even more important that you provide your Bassett Hounds with good dental care. February has been officially established as National Pet Dental Health Month by the American Veterinary Dental College and the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry so I felt it was important to review 5 vital tips for a Bassett Hounds oral care.

Tip #1: Acknowledge the need for oral care of your Bassett Hounds teeth. Some people are not aware it is necessary. Just like humans, dogs get plaque, tartar, cavities and worse. Minerals from saliva work with plaque to create tartar and can cause many problems if not promptly removed.

Tip #2: Make sure your Bassett Hounds are eating the right food. It might be surprising to find out that food has a lot to do with the health of your dogs teeth, not only from a nutritional standpoint but because kibble (dry food) serves as an abrasive to help keep the teeth clean. Know what your dog is eating! I have posted an excellent video below spelling out the sources, contents and processes of many commercial dog foods. You might be surprised.

Bassett Hounds Dog Food Video

Tip#3: Strong breath or tartar build up mean it’s time to seek professional help with the removal of problem buildup. Brushing is not always enough if your pet goes too long without proper care. Brushing is not a bad start but more than brushing is needed for proper care.

Tip #4 Visit the canine dentist at least once a year after your Bassett Hounds are 5 years or older. By this age they most likely will need some care or at least you need the assurance there are no problems. If there are, they can be dealt with early.

Tip #5: Visually check your dog’s teeth at least once a month. Are they clean? Is their breath normal dog breath or is it even more offensive than normal? Any buildup? If anything is out of the ordinary, it is time for a doctor’s visit.

If you take action on these 5 tips for canine dental care, it will go a long way toward keeping your Bassett Hounds teeth healthy and bright. Below is a news interview of a dentist talking about the methods available for dog hygiene. Everything from wipes for the timid dog to an electric toothbrush for dogs and beef flavored toothpaste. Find out what is right for you.

Bassett Hounds Dog Teeth Brushing

In conclusion, the care for dogs teeth is changing and Veterinary dentistry is becoming more common and sophisticated. Pets are more often having the same procedures as humans including root canals, crowns and sometimes braces.

The author of this post is Kirk “the hound” Hanna and a hound lover for life. For his other articles about Bassett Hounds visit one or all of the sites below.

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January 22, 2008

Bassett Hounds: Their Diseases and Disorders

Although Bassett Hounds are quite wonderful dogs in many unique ways, it is not uncommon for them to have health related problems as any other animal might. There is a full range of things that can happen as a result of environment, heredity and diet (video).

I recently read a blog post with a list of the three most common problems that can incur. Here is that list:

1.) Intervertebral Disk Disease

2.) Gastric Torsion (bloat)

3.) Hip Dysplasia

The three just listed are the most common ailiments and ones that are most thought of with this breed but those that follow are also problems for Bassetts:

Glaucoma, Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Lymphoma, Wobbler’s Syndrome, Ventricular Septal Defect, Interdigital Dermatitis (Pododermatitis), Malassezia Dermatitis, Primary Seborrhea, Congenital Hypotrichosis, Temporomandibular Luxation, Ununited Anconeal Process, Discospondylitis, Entropion, Ectropion

The article also stated that although certainly not as severe, they can also have issues with obesity, ear infections and bladder stones.

One should not take this list as necessarily any reason not to have Bassett Hounds as pets but certainly one would want to be aware of the potential problems.

Related Hound Articles / Posts by K Hanna





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January 13, 2008

Bassett Hounds Get Cold Too

I read an article that mentioned guidelines for proper protection for your dog, in my case, Bassett Hounds, if they have to be outside during the winter. I think it was good enough to pass on this important quote. The article was not specifically about this but the quote is here:

When temperatures drop below freezing, even a fur coat cannot protect pets from frostbite and hypothermia… Outdoor dogs require a draft-free and dry dog house that is raised off of the ground. The inside floor must be covered with cedar shavings or straw. Blankets can become wet, and may lower the dog’s body temperature and should not be used.

The dog house should be small enough that the dog can warm it with her body heat and an unheated garage is not safe because she cannot produce enough heat to warm such a large space.The house should also face away from the wind, and the doorway must be covered with heavy plastic or a flap so that the animal is protected from water and wind. Quote from Here

I hope each of you take this seriously and take the time to properly care for your dogs even if they are not Bassett Hounds and don’t forget the right kind of dog food either. If you find this information helpful and would like more information about the wonderful Bassett Hounds breed check out the sites listed below.

Related Hound Articles / Posts by K Hanna





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