Devon Hound Bassets

Actions and Reactions: Allergies

Because of their unusual structure, Basset Hounds are prone to allergies. Most allergies are inherited. Besides, their low bodies, long ears make them particularly susceptible to all kinds of allergic reactions. Some are allergic to grass. Following a scent, with their ears trailing on the ground, their heads held really low increases the problem. Lack of air in the ears also causes infection.

Grass eaters: Most dogs eat grass. But make sure it has not been treated with pesticides. However, Basset Hound are also very allergic to grass and pollens so you need to be doubly sure. Even if your Basset Hound doesn’t eat grass, walking with his nose and head to the ground could cause an allergic reaction. Your vet may suggest an ointment.

Food Allergy: Food allergy is not very common though some dogs do get allergic. Contrary to popular belief, a change in diet doesn’t cause a reaction. Sometimes, allergies are developed to the same food. Besides, for an allergic reaction to take place, your pet needs to have the food or substance more than once.

Some ingredients pets are allergic to beef, chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Food allergy has the same symptoms as those of inhalant ones. However, if your pet gets an allergic reaction, rule out food allergy first because it is easy to control: simply stop giving your pet that particular ingredient.

Symptoms: As a result of allergies to different foods, your pet may show the following symptoms: skin odor, itchiness, pruritis on the face, paws and ears, flaky skin, red boils or spots, ear infections, diarrhea and vomiting.

Treatment: The last symptom is rare because usually food allergy shows up externally, not internally. Tests may be needed; dietary history may have to be seen. Check with your vet. First of all, once the ingredient has been identified, it is advisable to remove it from the diet. Next, antihistamines may be prescribed. If the pet has a yeast infection, that will have to be treated. A special diet may be prescribed. This will have to be followed strictly. Do not, during this period, give him new kinds of treats or food. Flavored supplements should not be given.

Kinds of allergies your Basset Hound could suffer from:

Atopy: This one occurs because dogs manufacture antibodies as a reaction to environmental allergens. This is a common problem. an allergy caused from things dogs inhale. Dogs with food allergies have atopy but not vice versa. The antibodies, immunoglobin E (IgE), fight the parasites but also help develop reactions. An environmental allergen could be anything from dust, pollen, and molds, to grass. These antibodies are found in skin tissues. Once the dog is exposed again to the same allergen, these antibodies will bind themselves to it and release a chemical called histamine. This release produces itchiness, red skin and possibly dermatitis.

Anaphylaxis: Sometimes a dog could have a fatal allergic reaction to insect venom, vaccines or, drugs, etc. There are two kinds: anaphylactic and anaphylactoid.

Anaphylactic reactions: In this case, when a dog is exposed to an antigen, he will develop antibodies binding the agent to the mast cells. When he is exposed again, the antibodies energize the mast cells and produce an inflammatory reaction.

Anaphalactoid reactions: In this kind, just being exposed once will bring about a reaction. This is because these are brought about by non-immunological factors that energize the mast cells.

Paws: The dog’s large paws facilitate interdigital cysts, abscesses and fungus infections between the digits.

Fleas: Fleas and ticks are external parasites. They are usually diagnosed after an examination. A puppy may get fleas from his mother or from the environment. You should check for fleas during your pet grooming sessions.

Symptoms:

He will bite himself often

He will break out in small reddish spots on his skin

He will have black flea dirt on neck or rear

He will suffer from allergic dermatitis, which show up as skin lesions.

Some common treatments include:

A dip or a flea bath

Bathe him and spray him with a flea spray or powder

Check his bed and crate. Clean them thoroughly

Clean carpets and other surfaces upon which your Basset Hound is likely to walk

Regular applications of Flower of Sulphur powder I find keeps fleas and ticks away.

Ticks: Some tick bites can cause some kinds of diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Since your Basset Hound is likely to run off, he may pick these up in the woods. Use a tick-repellant for his coat. You can also remove a tick yourself if you wear gloves and with a pair of tweezers, grasp it near the head and pull it out. Once you remove the head, wipe the area with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Consult your vet. He can advise you on the next course of action.

Lice: You can control these with sprays and powders. Your vet will give you one that is good for your basset.

Mange Mites: Two common kinds are sarcoptic and demodectic. Again, these live on skin or hair follicles. The worst thing about them is that they are not visible. The eggs of the sarcoptic mites are laid in a tunnel-like formation. The demodectic mites make their home in hair follicles. The symptoms include itching, scratching, lesions if infected with demodectic mites and hair fall.

Ringworm: This is contagious. A fungus causes this and you can see evidence in bare, oval patches. Do not let your Basset Hound interact with other dogs. Consult your vet.

A first aid kit: Some essentials in your kit should include gauze, eye cleaner/saline solution, large sterile pads, muzzle, squirt bottles filled with water, tweezers, scissors, examination gloves, anti-diarrhoea medication, antibacterial ointments, Benadryl liquid, Betadine or other cleansing solution, cotton swabs, thermometer and Quick stop for cut nails.

Coping with emergencies:

Burns: A Basset Hound is his master’s pet and will follow you around and sometimes knock the host’s coffee on their own coat. If that happens and your Basset Hound breaks into pain and blisters, just take a cold compress and hold it gently to the affected area. Do not use ointments until your vet approves.

Choking: Basset Hound are naturally curious and tend to try and eat anything that looks eatable to them. That’s why it is possible for them to gag, vomit, cry out in pain, salivate more than necessary and worse still become unconscious.
Avoid leaving things like small parts of your kid’s toys etc. If you see your Basset Hound choking on something, get a firm hold of him and open mouth. Keep talking to him reassuringly and pull his tongue forward. If you can see the object, fish it out. Take him to a vet to check him out later.

Fractures: Don’t panic if you suddenly see your Basset Hound lying in an abnormal position with a swollen limb and in a lot of pain. It could be a fracture. You will need to take him to the vet but before you do so, calm him down and wrap him up in a blanket or towel and put the fractured limb in a splint if you can. Do be alert for any lameness that a Basset Hound shows, it could be more than a fracture.

Heat strokes: Yes they can, if you insist on giving them exercise in the hottest time of the day! Otherwise they are hardy dogs that can stand any weather. If your Basset Hound has been out in the heat and is gasping and panting, check to see if his skin is too warm, if his tongue and gums are dry and gray and if he is drooling too much. Wrap him up in a cool towel or soak him in cool water. If he becomes unconscious, it is better to let the vet handle it.

Exposure to cold: If somehow your Basset Hound has been over exposed to the cold, check if he has very cold skin or for signs of shivering, weakness, bloody stool and pale pink-gray tongue and gums. Use a hot water bottle to warm him up and cover him with a blanket. If symptoms are severe rush him to the vet.

Insect stings: If your Basset Hound comes back from the garden or the park with stinger marks, swelling, hives, heavy panting and vomiting, an insect could have stung him. Remove the stinger if you can see it with tweezers and apply an ice pack. If he is vomiting and weak, he might be having an allergic reaction and needs to see the vet.

Treat minor and serious wounds: Clean the small cut or puncture wounds with peroxide and a cotton ball. If there is too much bleeding, put pressure on the wound and press it down for a while to stop the flow. If the bleeding does not stop it could be indicative of something more serious.

Motion sickness: Some Basset Hound can get sick in the car! If your Basset Hound is restless and vomiting in the car, stop and let him out to get some fresh air. Talk to a vet who can give him tranquilizers to take before a trip. Some Basset Hounds even get diarrhea as a result of motion sickness.

Poisoning: If your Basset Hound is vomiting, twitching and has collapsed, check his mouth. If his gums and tongue are bluish gums call poison control and your vet, because there is nothing much you can do. If you can find out what poison he has ingested, this could help in effective treatment.

Ear infections: First of all, if you give him the proper grooming and clean his ear regularly, your Basset Hound shouldn't get any ear infection.

I hope you find this information useful, it is however only a guide..