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What is von Willebrand's disease?
Von Willebrand's disease (vWD) is a common, usually mild, inherited
bleeding disorder in people and in dogs. It is caused by a lack of von Willebrand factor (vWF), which plays an essential role
in the blood clotting process.
Normally the body responds to an injury causing bleeding through
a complex defence system. This consists of local changes in the damaged blood vessels, activation of blood cells called platelets,
and the coagulation process. A reduction in von Willebrand factor leads to abnormal platelet function and prolonged bleeding
times. Affected dogs are prone to bleeding episodes such as nose bleeds, and generally experience increased bleeding with
trauma or a surgical procedure.
Three forms of the disease are distinguished based on vWF concentration
and function. Dogs with Type I vWD (by far the most common) have mild to moderate bleeding abnormalities, depending on the
level of vWF. The much rarer types II and III vWD cause severe bleeding disorders.
GLAUCOMA
What is it? Glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye. Cells
inside the eye produce a clear fluid ("aqueous humor") that maintains the shape of the eye and nourishes the tissues inside
the eye. The balance of fluid production and drainage is responsible for maintaining normal pressure within the eye. In glaucoma,
the drain becomes clogged but the eye keeps producing fluid. Therefore, the pressure in the eye increases. The increased pressure
in the eye actually can cause the eye to stretch and enlarge.
There are actually two types of glaucoma; the hereditary
type, Primary Glaucoma, is primarily the type that affects the Basset Hound. Primary Glaucoma usually begins in one eye, but
almost always eventually involves both eyes, leading to complete blindness. It is extremely painful. This discomfort
can result in decreased activity, less desire to play, irritability, or decreased appetite, and is often not apparent to the
owner.
What are the signs?
The only way to know for sure if your pet
has glaucoma is to have the intraocular pressures measured by a veterinarian. Signs of glaucoma can include a red or bloodshot
eye and/or cloudy cornea. The 'third eyelid' - looking like a pink membrane, may be seen. Vision loss is also characteristic
of glaucoma. However, loss of vision in one eye is often not obvious because animals compensate with their remaining eye.
Eventually, the increased pressure will cause the eye to stretch and become enlarged. Unfortunately, eyes are usually permanently
blind by the time they become enlarged.
If you suspect your Basset Hound has any eye problem, he or she
needs to see a veterinarian immediately. There is a very small window for treatment time to try to save the sight.
Any basset hound should have regular ophthalmic examinations. Glaucoma can cause blindness in spite of our best efforts. A
high level of commitment to treatment and regular ophthalmic examinations is required to have the best chance of preserving
vision. If your basset is diagnosed with primary glaucoma, please notify the dog's breeder if possible, so it is no longer
spread through the lines.
If your basset has already lost one eye to Primary Glaucoma and the other eye is at risk
of developing glaucoma: The median time until an attack occurs in the other eye is 8 months. Prophylactic medical therapy
for the remaining eye delays the onset of glaucoma from a median of 8 months to a median of 31 months.
It is crucial that you keep their ears clean!Their ears are prone to infection. If an infection occurs and is not taken care
of it can lead to many problems for your Basset. Talk to your vet about the proper way to clean their ears.
You should also brush their teeth.... they can have tooth decay,etc., just as we can! The difference is that they can't
tell you when a tooth is hurting! So keep a close eye out for any problems!
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Canine Thrombopathia
is a platelet dysfunction. When working properly platelets circulate in the blood in great numbers and "clump together" (aggregate)
when a chemical "signal" is received from the site of the injury to form "plugs" in blood vessel walls. They also speed up
the formation of blood clot. It is the combination of clotting and "plugging" that act to prevent blood loss.
What Should I Look For?
The symptoms for vWD & Thrombopathia are the same:
- Bleeding from the gums or other mucosal surfaces including nosebleeds
- Prolonged seasons
- Lameness mimicking panosteitis
- Hematomas
- Blood present in urine or feces, including recurrent bloody diarrhea
- Prolonged bleeding -- when cutting nails, with loss of puppy teeth,
when cutting the umbilical cord, following dew claw removal, during or following whelping, etc.
- Red spots on a pup's tummy (subcutaneous hemorrhages, known as
petechia)
- Stillbirths or "fading" pups, with evidence of bleeding at necropsy
- Severe bleeding or death with surgery
Patellar Luxation
The patella
(kneecap) is a small bone which guards the knee joint. The patella sits in a grove in the femur, and is held in place
by a combination of ligaments and muscles. This bone can slip out of position due to injury, poor alignment, weak ligaments,
or insufficient grove in the femur. Generally the dog will limp, carry the leg off the ground, or hop when running.
If the problem is severe it can necessitate surgery.
Patellar luxation can
be either hereditary or due to injury.
HEALTH CONCERNS FOR BASSETS
Although
compared to many other breeds, the Basset has relatively fewer inherited diseases, it is still necessary to know about the
following health problems that can occur in the Basset Hound
Panosteitis
(Pano, wandering lameness, puppy limp) An inflammation
of the long bones often seen in Bassets from 5 months of age to two years. Because
dogs outgrow pano, it is not considered a serious health problem. Lameness caused
by pano may move from one leg to another and can last from a week to 6 months or more.
Bassets with pano should not be exercised until symptoms disappear. Although pano itself is not serious, if a Basset is otherwise injured and the ensuing
lameness is mistakenly attributed to pano, lasting harm may result. Because X-rays
can determine the presence of pano, a veterinarian should be consulted in any case of lameness.
Von
Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) A genetic disorder of the blood which
may cause moderate to severe bleeding, similar in some ways to hemophilia. Up
to 15% of Bassets may carry this platelet abnormality.
Thrombopathia Another blood platelet disorder, also similar to hemophilia. The clinical presence of Von Willebrand’s and thrombopathia are fairly easy for Basset owners to
spot because bleeding which cannot be stopped is the symptom of these disorders.
Glaucoma This eye disorder has been found in the Basset Hound breed. Symptoms
include painful, bulging eyes and sensitivity to light. Consult a veterinarian
immediately.
Eyelid
and eyelash problems Bassets are prone to ectropian (a turning out of the eyelids), resulting in a dry cornea, and entropian (a turning
in of the eyelids), causing lashes to dig into the surface of the eye. Both conditions
can be surgically corrected.
Intervertebral
Disk Disease Herniated disks may result in dogs who frequently jump from extremely high heights onto their front limbs.
Allergies Some Bassets may
be prone to allergies, dermatitis and seborrhea.
Ear
Infections The
Basset’s long ears do not allow sufficient circulation of air. Ear infections often develop because owners are not diligent
about cleaning their Basset’s ears every week.
Bloat
(Gastric torsion) The stomach twists and traps gas inside, causing extreme pain. Unless treated quickly, death may result. Avoid exercise after
eating. Placing a very large rock in a Basset’s feeding bowl to slow down
eating and swallowing air, may help prevent bloat in some cases.
Obesity Obesity is especially harmful for long-backed breeds like Bassets. Spines and joints cannot handle the stress of
excess weight.
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