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