Basset Health

Most breeders of pure breed dogs have a common ethic regarding dealing with

congenital and inheritable diseases in their breed. That is, to breed out of their lines,

those "diseases" which can be bred out. 

Certain physical characteristics which define many different breeds,are technically

"diseases", but for obvious reasons cannot and will not be bred out.  

Following is a list of those congenital and inheritable diseases which may affect the Basset Hound. 

Achondroplasia:

abnormal development of cartilage leading to

dwarfism(seen aberrantly in most breeds, but that's what makes a

Basset hound and otherachondroplastic breeds long and low).  

Bloat:

a condition where a dog's stomach producesexcessive

gasand enlarges severely enough to cause death without immediate

treatment. Usually associated with gastric torsion (see below).  

Gastrictorsion:

a condition where the stomach twists,thereby

impeding input and output.   

Ectropion:

an abnormal rolling out of the eyelids.  

Entropion:

an abnormal rolling in of the eyelid.  

Glaucoma:

abnormally high pressurein the eye.  

Otitis externa:

an infection of the external structures ofthe

ear.  

(Eosinophilic)panosteitis:

a painful inflammatory bone disease

ofyoung, rapidly growing dogs, often characterized by increased

eosinophils in the blood.