| MEDICAL DISORDERS IN THE BASSET HOUND |
The following disorders are reported for basset hounds in Chris Walkowitz and Bonnie
Wilcox, DVM's Successful Dog Breeding (New York: Macmillan, 1994):
Achondroplasia: dwarfism, or abnormally shortened and bent leg bones. Duh!
Cervical Vertebral Instability: Other names include CVI, wobbler syndrome, and spondylomyelopathy. Unstable
vertebrae in lower neck; weakness and ataxia; may lead to paralysis; in basset hounds, usually at C2-C3. More
information
Dermoid: Other names include corneal dermoid cyst. Congenital cyst on cornea; contains skin, glands, and hair.
More info
Enostosis: Also known as juvenile osteomyelitis, panostitis, or "pano." Acute, shifting lameness of large, growing
dogs; deep bone pain, self-limiting. More info
Entropian: "diamond eye." Eyelids roll in; hair rubs on cornea; effects are irritation, tearing and visual loss from
scarring. More information
Epilepsy: recurrent seizures with onset at 1 to 3 years; some epilepsy is not hereditary. More info
Gastric Torsion: Also known as GDV, bloat, torsion, and twisted stomach. The stomach rotates on long axis,
causing shock and death. Deep-chested breeds such as the basset are more susceptible to it than are other dogs.
More information
Primary Glaucoma: Increased fluid pressure in globe leads to pain, eye destruction, and blindness. Autosomal
recessive. More info
Lens Luxation: lens slips out of position, leading to secondary glaucoma. Autosomal recessive. More info
Osteochondritis Dessicans: Otherwise known as OCD. Growth disorder of joints; cartilage death, pain, and
lameness; may occur in many joints. Polygenic inheritance plus nutritional factors. More info
Patellar Luxation: Poor structures that hold the kneecap in place, one or both; starts at four to six months;
usually lateral in basset hounds. Polygenic inheritance pattern. More info
Retinal Atrophy, Generalized Progressive: Commonly known as general PRA. Retina degenerates; first night
blindness, then total blindness before middle age. Uncommon in basset hounds, but a few cases have been
reported. More information
Thrombopathia: Bleeding disorder in which platelets lack proper function. Autosomnal dominant, incomplete
expression. More info
Ununited Anconeal Process: Elbow dysplasia. Growth plate in elbow doesn't fuse; secondary degenerative joint
disease; pain and limp; surgical correction required. More info
Von Willebrand's Disease: Also known as pseudohemophilia. Bleeding syndrome with several abnormal factors.
Autosomnal dominant, variable expression. More info
Other Hereditary Disorders
Cushing's Disease is a condition that results from the chronic overproduction of too much glucocorticoid in the
body. More information
Addison's Disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It is a disease that results from the reduction in
corticosteroid secretion from the adrenal gland. More information
Wilcox, DVM's Successful Dog Breeding (New York: Macmillan, 1994):
Achondroplasia: dwarfism, or abnormally shortened and bent leg bones. Duh!
Cervical Vertebral Instability: Other names include CVI, wobbler syndrome, and spondylomyelopathy. Unstable
vertebrae in lower neck; weakness and ataxia; may lead to paralysis; in basset hounds, usually at C2-C3. More
information
Dermoid: Other names include corneal dermoid cyst. Congenital cyst on cornea; contains skin, glands, and hair.
More info
Enostosis: Also known as juvenile osteomyelitis, panostitis, or "pano." Acute, shifting lameness of large, growing
dogs; deep bone pain, self-limiting. More info
Entropian: "diamond eye." Eyelids roll in; hair rubs on cornea; effects are irritation, tearing and visual loss from
scarring. More information
Epilepsy: recurrent seizures with onset at 1 to 3 years; some epilepsy is not hereditary. More info
Gastric Torsion: Also known as GDV, bloat, torsion, and twisted stomach. The stomach rotates on long axis,
causing shock and death. Deep-chested breeds such as the basset are more susceptible to it than are other dogs.
More information
Primary Glaucoma: Increased fluid pressure in globe leads to pain, eye destruction, and blindness. Autosomal
recessive. More info
Lens Luxation: lens slips out of position, leading to secondary glaucoma. Autosomal recessive. More info
Osteochondritis Dessicans: Otherwise known as OCD. Growth disorder of joints; cartilage death, pain, and
lameness; may occur in many joints. Polygenic inheritance plus nutritional factors. More info
Patellar Luxation: Poor structures that hold the kneecap in place, one or both; starts at four to six months;
usually lateral in basset hounds. Polygenic inheritance pattern. More info
Retinal Atrophy, Generalized Progressive: Commonly known as general PRA. Retina degenerates; first night
blindness, then total blindness before middle age. Uncommon in basset hounds, but a few cases have been
reported. More information
Thrombopathia: Bleeding disorder in which platelets lack proper function. Autosomnal dominant, incomplete
expression. More info
Ununited Anconeal Process: Elbow dysplasia. Growth plate in elbow doesn't fuse; secondary degenerative joint
disease; pain and limp; surgical correction required. More info
Von Willebrand's Disease: Also known as pseudohemophilia. Bleeding syndrome with several abnormal factors.
Autosomnal dominant, variable expression. More info
Other Hereditary Disorders
Cushing's Disease is a condition that results from the chronic overproduction of too much glucocorticoid in the
body. More information
Addison's Disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It is a disease that results from the reduction in
corticosteroid secretion from the adrenal gland. More information
| This site was created by and is maintained by Belinda Winters for BFH Bassets. If you have any questions or comments email belindawinters@bfhbassets.com |
