HEALTH

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

This list includeds a short summary of the five most common health problems in Bloodhounds.
DYSPLASIA - Hereditary.
This is one of the most common genetic disorders in bloodhounds. With dysplasia, the structure and fit of the joints is abnormal, often leading to painful, sometimes crippling arthritis. There are two types of dysplasia.
HIP DYSPLASIA - The most common genetic disorder in bloodhounds. All breeding stock should be screened and only certified clear dogs should be bred from.
ELBOW DYSPLASIA - Although less common than hip dysplasia, this genetic disorder may lead to arthritis in the elbow(s). Again all breeding stock should be screened and only certified clear dogs bred from.
For more information on hip and elbow dysplasia, please visit
http://www.offa.org/

BLOAT AND GASTRIC TORSION - Hereditary link is unknow, but under investigation.
This is a very painful, life-threatening emergency in which the stomach becomes distended with gas (bloat). Torsion is the twisting of the stomach. This causes the esophagus and intestine to norrow or close, like wringing out a towel. The gas continues to accumulate and the stomach inflates like a large beach ball. Emergency surgery is the only treatment and most be done asap. never feed your bloodhound before or after exercise. It is best to feed two smaller feeds morning and night than one large feed once a day.
A preventative surgery called Prophylatic gastropexy can be done to help prevent torsion. This involves sewing the stomach into postition so it can not rotate. It is best to be done when the pup is desexed, normally around six to eight months.
For more information please visit
www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

EYE ABNORMALITIES - Hereditary
Bloodhound eyes need a high level of routine care. Eyes should be kept cleaned at least once a week and drops or ointment used when necessary. There are several genetic conditions of the eye. Entropia and ectropia are probably the most common conditions in bloodhounds. Both can be fixed easily with a small surgery procedure. Corneal ulcers and corneal abrasions are nonhereditary eye problems. These are usually caused by trauma to the surface of the eye.
For more information please visit
www.animalforum.com/dbreed/medentrop.htm

EARS - Because of their long eheavy low-set ears, bloodhounds are susceptible to ear infections. Most of these can be present with proper routine maintenance. Ears should be cleaned atleast once a week. It is best to get into a weekly routine of cleaning your dogs ears, eyes, skin folds and cutting your dogs nails.

ANY CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR BLOODHOUND PLEASE SEEK YOUR VETS ADVICE. IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. ALWAYS HAVE FRESH CLEAN WATER AVAILABLE FOR YOUR DOG AT ALL TIMES.

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