by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: January 02, 2010

Basset Hounds, with their long, silky ears and those droopy, sad eyes have a way of capturing the hearts of many dog lovers. It is unwise, however, to get a dog based on looks alone. A person that is going to get a new dog should always educate themselves about the breed beforehand. Having a pet is a serious commitment and one that should be made for the life of the pet whenever possible. Some things that are very important to know are the health problems that the breed you are considering is prone to. The following are some of the most common health problems that Basset Hounds, and their owners, have to deal with.

*Ear Infections-Those same silky ears that you may think are adorable are also an area that owners must take preventive care of in order to prevent them from becoming infected. Their length allows them to drag along the ground when the head is lowered, picking up debris along the way. They also hold in moisture if they are not kept dry inside. Chronic ear infections, or one that is not treated soon enough, can lead to permanent hearing damage for your dog. Check the ears regularly for signs of infection, including a foul odor coming from the ears, scratching at the ears, shaking the head, or tilting it to one side or the other. If you notice any of these things, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

*Entropion-This is a disorder of the eyes in which the eyelids and eyelashes turn inwards towards the eyeball itself, rather than outwards. This can cause great irritation and even damage to the cornea of the eye itself. There are treatments available that will repair this issue.

*Obesity-Obesity in dogs is just as detrimental to their health as it is in humans. An overweight dog can have numerous problems that could have been avoided, such as skeletal problems or heart disease. Owners should monitor their dog's food intake, not allowing the dog to eat on demand, and ensure that he or she is getting enough exercise.

*Intervertebral Disk Disease-When a dog has this condition, the disks of the backbone go from being a fibrous tissue to taking on a cartilage-like consistency. This will cause pain, sometimes extreme, for the dog. It also increases the risk of the disks rupturing. Another thing to avoid is allowing the dog to jump too much or from high locations as this puts additional pressure on the spine. Intervertebral disk disease can lead to total paralysis.

*Von Willebrand's Disease-Von Willebrands Disease is a bleeding disorder, similar to hemophilia. The blood of a dog that is afflicted with the disorder will not clot properly, sometimes not at all. This is caused by a lack of Von Willebrand Factor in the dog. Dogs with Von Willebrands Disease will often have nosebleeds and if they need a surgical procedure performed, there may be a huge problem with stopping the blood flow afterwards. This disease is not usually life-threatening, but does need to be monitored and taken care of to prevent the dog from losing too much blood.

One of the jobs of a responsible pet owner of any breed or species is to ensure that the animal is kept in the best health possible. This includes regular vet checks and vaccinations, as well as watching for and attending to any signs of illness as soon as possible. Your Basset Hound can be a very special friend to you and he or she deserves to have the most comfortable and happy life possible.

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