Basset Hound

Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.

There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.

The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.

Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.

The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.

Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. If untreated, or it becomes chronic, it can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, eventually resulting in blindness.

Unfortunately, 40% of dogs with Glaucoma become blind in the affected eye within the first year, regardless of treatment.

Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland which is believed to be a cause of issues including epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy and skin conditions.

This is a disorder that can be quite easily treated through a dog’s diet and medication.

Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.

Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.

To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.

Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.

Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a relatively common disease that is described as when the discs in the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord. Affected discs then press on nerves, causing pain, damage and potentially paralysis.

There are multiple symptoms of IVDD, some more severe than others. They range from unusually unwillingness to jump, crying out in pain, pain and weakness in rear legs, and muscle spasms.

If you know your dog’s breed are predisposed to IVDD, it is very important to take precautions, the most important being discouraging jumping, and keeping their weight down.

IVDD can be diagnosed by a full neurologic exam which will locate exactly which disc is damaged. Special X-Rays may also be suggested, but these don’t show the spinal cord, so a special dye is used. MRI or CT scans may also be necessary.

Treatment depends on the severity of the issue. If the spinal cord is badly damaged, surgery will be needed. For less serious cases, treatment can be purely conservative such as steroids and anti-inflammatories.

Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) is an orthopaedic condition caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints.

Improper growth can sometimes be caused by feeding puppy’s growth formula or high-protein foods which unnaturally speed up development.

The condition usually occurs in the elbows but has been seen in shoulders as well. The main symptom is painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend their elbow.

OCD can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months old, so call your vet if you notice your pet in visible pain in the elbow region, particularly when trying to bend.