The health issues addressed here are not Basset Hound specific, but they are certainly issues that are important to the health of our dogs, as well as the health of other breeds. 

Volvulus (Bloat) in Basset Hounds

What is Volvulus?

Bloat, which is more formally called gastric dilatation and volvulus (GVD) is a life threatening, acute occurrence. Bloat occurs first, when the stomach fills with gas, and is also an emergency. Immediate treatment with simethicone (Gas-X) and a gentle walk until the dog evacuates its bowel may resolve simple bloat in some cases.

In GVD the bloated stomach twists on its axis and both the entrance and exit to the stomach become blocked. The stomach cannot empty and causes other complications. The stomach is susceptible to tissue damage, and multi-organ failure. The condition is found in many large, deep chested dogs, but can occur in any dog. Basset hounds are among the breeds that may bloat and progress to GVD.

Signs are enlargement of the abdomen, restlessness, drooling, signs of severe pain, and retching. Tapping on the side may produce a resonant sound like a drum. As the stomach fills with air, the pressure builds, and the blood cannot return to the heart. This reduces the working blood volume, resulting in shock. The twisted stomach affects the spleen and pancreas. The pancreas eventually releases toxins that stop the heart.

What causes bloat?

Anxiety may be a factor, as are other gastrointestinal illness. Some studies indicate there may be a genetic component to bloat and volvulus, but are inconclusive.

How can I find out if my dog may have the potential for bloat?

If you dog is deep chested, or is one of the breeds where bloat is common (Great Danes, St. Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish and Gordon Setters, and Standard Poodles, it may be susceptible to bloat or perhaps may be susceptible to bloat if other dogs in the line have suffered bloat. Males are twice as likely to bloat. Basset Hounds are one of the breeds that are susceptible to bloat.

How I help to prevent my dog from suffering bloat

Awareness is key. Separating dogs at feeding time may reduce anxiety. Dogs that are fast eaters are somewhat at risk, and special bowls to reduce eating speed are available. Feeding more than once a day is recommended. Exercising you dogs after eating and drinking large amounts of water should be discontinued. High-fat diets may also lead to bloat. There is a surgical prevention (gastropexy) as well, when indicated.

What is the treatment for bloat?

The treatment is preventing shock, removing the air from the stomach if it has not yet twisted, and surgery to remove the damaged part of the stomach, and gastropexy (attaching the stomach to the abdominal wall).

Here are several sites that cover volvulus (bloat).

Leptospirosis In Dogs | What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria. Signs can be fever, vomiting, and liver or kidney damage. Signs can range from mild to severe but the disease must be treated to prevent further damage. Diagnosis must be by a veterinarian through serologic and urine testing. Treatment is by antibiotics and supportive care.

What causes Leptospirosis disease?

Leptospirosis bacteria are found in contaminated water and environments. Dogs (and humans) and can be affected by leptospirosis from water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals. It is less common for direct transmission from the infected animal, but there is a chance to be infected by contact with open wounds or mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and eyes. The leptospira bacteria can be transmitted from water or wet soil for up to several months. The bacteria can be found in domestic animals, livestock and wildlife, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and mice and rats.  Its incidence is increasing in dogs and annual vaccination against leptospirosis is now recommended.

How can I protect my dog from Leptospirosis?

Vaccinations protect your dog from the common strains of this virus. Also keeping your dog away from contaminated water and soil is key to protecting your dog. Current vaccines have improved efficacy and safety over older versions.

Learn more about Leptospirosis in dogs and humans

Check out these links about Leptospirosis and Leptospirosis vaccines for dogs:

What Kind of Food Should I Feed My Dog?

When choosing food for your dog there are many things to consider including age, size, health needs and in some cases, the dog’s preference. With the latter option, preference of the dog, consider healthy dog food and treats first and foremost, and don’t give in. Quality commercial dog foods are regulated and tested.

If your dog is a puppy, a responsible breeder will make recommendations regarding diet to guide you to feed your new family member. This will have to be changed as your puppy matures. Similarly, if you obtain an adult or senior dog, find out what the former owner or rescue has to say about the dog’s diet to date. If it is not a sound diet, work on changing it gradually to a nutritious diet. It is important to change your puppy to a good quality adult dog food after puppyhood. When you dog is nearing its senior years, it is important to choose when to change to a good quality senior diet.

The Basset Hound Club of America does not recommend or disprove of any dog food brands. It is recommended to keep your choice to high quality food based on your dog’s age, activity and health.

Canine Nutrition and Health

Obesity in dogs is an important issue. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Association over half of all dogs are either overweight or obese. With their long bodies and short legs, keeping Basset Hounds at a good weight is important to the health of their backs. See this link from the American Kennel club on canine obesity. Obesity in Dogs: How to Safely Manage Your Dog’s Weight

Here as a link to the American Kennel Club’s discussion on dog food. Best Dog Food: How to Know What’s Right for Your Dog

The American Veterinary association maintains a position on scientific backing, quality and nutritional value, and focuses on companies that do extensive research and quality testing.

Volvulus (Bloat)?

You may have read the section on volvulus (bloat) on this website. Generally, don’t overfeed your dog, don’t feed table scraps or gassy foods/foods, or those you know your dog is sensitive to, and wait an appropriate amount of time for exercise before and after feeding.

Food allergies?

It is often difficult to determine the cause of a dog’s allergies, are they food allergies, environmental allergies, or booth. You can try elimination of certain foods that you think are causing a problem, being very clear what may be in your treats or your food and document this. But your veterinarian is the best option for allergy testing. For example, if your dog has been diagnosed (by a veterinarian) to be allergic to grains grain free foods are appropriate.

Raw Diet for Dogs ?

The above links speak about raw food diets. The AKC and Americal Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other professional veterinary organizations do not support raw diets of any kind. This guidance is actually not new.

Dogs (and particularly cats) should not be fed raw diets containing any poultry or poultry products, (e.g., raw eggs, or raw milk (since dairy cattle are also at risk) until the Avian Influenza viral epidemic is better controlled. While dogs do not seem to be susceptible to the disease, or at least may not show clinical signs of infection, it is highly fatal in cats with a mortality rate over 60%. There is evidence of Zoonotic transmission (although it seems to be rare).

Parasites Causing Disease in Dogs

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website includes prevalence maps for heartworm, intestinal parasites, tick borne disease agents, and viral diseases.  Here is a link to the CAPC website. Companion Animal Parasite Council | Parasite Prevalence Maps. This website also contains descriptions of symptoms and modes of transmission for many other diseases in dogs as well as expert articles.

The presence of fleas or ticks can have adverse effects on your dog. It is important for your dog’s health to keep fleas under control in your environment, both in your home and property, vehicle or kennel. Prevention of tick infestation requires awareness of where ticks occur and regular checks of your dog after visiting these areas. See the advice of your veterinarian for advice, products and methods to prevent or eliminate these pests. Treatment and prevention is ongoing.

Fleas

Your dog can pick up fleas anywhere it visits, both indoors and outdoors, depending on climate in the area. Fleas live for a very long time in the environment. Signs vary from skin irritation and itching, to tapeworm or anemia in severe infestations. Treatments include shampoos and sprays, spot on topical treatments or oral flea preventatives and flea products for the environment. It is necessary to treat the environment as well as your dog.

Ticks

You need to check your dog for ticks regularly, especially after hiking or hunting with your dog in tall grasses or heavily wooded areas.

There is a vaccination for Lyme Disease, but there is no vaccine for most other tick-borne diseases. Check with your veterinarian for tick prevention options.

Ticks can cause several diseases in your dog. Some of these are Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, and Hepatozoonosis. If ticks are attached to your dog for 24 – 48 hours they can cause disease.

Some general signs of tick-borne disease in your dog are transient infections, fever, lethargy, joint pain or swelling, loss of appetite or vomiting and diarrhea. Seek veterinary care for your dog

Click here for an and additional article on tick-born diseases in dogs tickborne diseases in the dog – Search

There are over 700 species of ticks in the world, and nearly 50 kinds of ticks in the USA.

Click here for a link to the geographical areas where ticks occur in the USA Tick season map: See where the parasites are plus how to prevent bites

Ticks can also bite and cause disease in people. Click here for a link to help protect yourself from ticks. Tickborne Diseases in Workers | Outdoor | CDC

Heartworm

Heartworm in dogs is a tragic illness transmitted by mosquitoes. Treatment is ongoing. Signs of heartworm in dogs are fatigue, difficulty breathing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite or collapse. Heartworm preventatives are available. Please seek advice from your veterinarian.

Click here for an article on heartworm Heartworm in Dogs – American Heartworm Society

Click here for a page on heartworm incidence in the USA. https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2025/all-year/heartworm-canine/dog/united-states

Intestinal Worms

Dogs can get intestinal worms from their environment. Kinds of intestinal worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Have your veterinarian check a stool sample at your dog’s examination. If you see these worms around your dog’s anus or in it’s stool seek veterinary treatment promptly. Click here for a map of intestinal parasites:  https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2025/all-year/roundworm/dog/united-states

Giardi

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection in humans and animals caused by a microscopic protozoan. It is a simple one-celled parasitic species, not a worm, bacteria, or virus. The parasite occurs worldwide and is a common cause of “Traveler’s Diarrhea” in people. Outdoor enthusiasts who inadvertently consume contaminated water may develop “beaver fever”, another name for giardiasis in people. Other examples of protozoan parasites that can cause enteric (intestinal) disease are Coccidia, and Cryptosporidia.

For more information, see https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/giardia-in-dogs .

Coccidia

Coccidia are common, single-celled intestinal parasites (protozoa) that primarily cause diarrhea in puppies or stressed, immunocompromised dogs by damaging the intestinal lining. While many infections are asymptomatic, symptoms include watery, mucous-filled diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Treatment involves prescription medication (like sulfonamides), and prevention relies on strict sanitation, as it spreads via feces.

For more information, see https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/coccidia-dogs .

Cryptosporidia

Cryptosporidia in dogs is a protozoan parasite causing cryptosporidiosis, an intestinal disease often resulting in chronic or watery diarrhea, particularly in puppies under 6 months old or immunocompromised dogs. While many infections are asymptomatic, it spreads via fecal-oral transmission (contaminated water/soil). Diagnosis involves special fecal tests, and treatment often includes antibiotics like Azithromycin and supportive care. For more information, see https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/cryptosporidium-dogs .

Reason For Vaccines?

  • Vaccines prompt your dog’s immune system to recognize and resist disease. Vaccines do this by causing the dogs body to produce antibodies against the disease. This helps to prevent or lessen the severity of the disease. As stated by the American Veterinary Medical Associations (AVMA), vaccines have prevented disease or death in millions of animals within the last century, for cases of canine distemper, canine influenza, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and rabies.

Here is a link to the AVMA website  Vaccinations | American Veterinary Medical Association

Prevention?

“Core” vaccines are recommended by all dogs, unless another reason exists with an individual dog. It is important to follow the vaccine schedule recommended by your veterinarian. “Non-Core” vaccines are recommended for certain pets based on their risk of exposure to certain diseases or geographic location or travel to certain locations. Attending day care, dog parks, classes, or boarding in a kennel are reasons to pay attention to vaccine schedules. Be sure to let your veterinarian know of special cases like travel and activities to and in certain areas. Humans are also protected for diseases that are shared between animals and people.

The Important Of Vaccinating Puppies On A Recommended Schedule

When breeding your dam, it is important that the dam is fully vaccinated. Puppies receive antibodies from the dam and their mother’s milk. Puppies are more susceptible to certain diseases because their immune systems are not mature. The first vaccine starts the process of recognizing the disease and the second supports this further. Please follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Click here for a. Puppy Shots Schedule: A Complete Guide to Puppy Vaccinations.

Changes In Vaccine Schedules and Recommendations

Recommendations of core vaccinations change. Recently, the guidelines for Leptospirosis changed.

For example, there are recent recommendations to vaccinate for Leptospirosis once a year. It is recommended that you discuss this with your veterinarian to determine if a vaccine should be done. Here is a link to World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) 2023 guidelines. Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs – Sykes – 2023 – Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Wiley Online Library

Emerging Health Issues Bulletin

Keep up to date on the latest news on health issues affecting the Basset Hound by reading the BHCA Health and Research Committee’s Emerging Health Issues Bulletin.