Basset Hounds Are Basically Walking Back Problems
Turns out those long backs and short legs make Basset Hounds prone to disc problems. Buster's vet said she sees it constantly.
I wish someone had warned me about this when I got a Basset Hound.
Intervertebral Disc Disease Hit Early
Buster was only four years old when his back went out. The emergency vet said his disc had basically exploded.
Intervertebral disc disease. Grade 4 out of 5. Buster couldn't move his back legs at all.
Emergency X-rays and neurological exam cost $650. Then they wanted MRI to see exactly which disc was damaged.
MRI was $1,800. But we needed it to plan surgery.
The neurosurgeon explained that Basset Hounds have really long spinal columns supported by short legs. It's like having a bridge with inadequate supports.
Surgery was the only option. Without it, Buster would be paralyzed permanently.
Disc surgery cost $4,200. Plus three days in the hospital for monitoring and physical therapy.
Recovery took months. Buster needed to be confined to a crate for six weeks. No running, jumping, or stairs.
Physical therapy twice weekly for eight weeks. $120 per session.
Even after recovery, Buster's back is weak. We have to limit his activity and watch for signs of re-injury.
The surgeon said most Basset Hounds have multiple disc episodes throughout their lives. Buster's back surgery was probably just the first.
Bloat Scare Six Months Later
Buster started acting restless after dinner. Pacing around, trying to vomit but nothing came up.
His belly looked bigger than normal. I remembered reading about bloat in deep-chested dogs.
Emergency vet at 11 PM. Buster was drooling and his gums were pale.
X-rays showed gastric dilatation but no torsion yet. $480 for emergency treatment and monitoring.
They had to decompress Buster's stomach with a tube. Not full bloat, but close.
The vet said Basset Hounds are at moderate risk for bloat because of their chest shape.
She recommended feeding smaller meals and using a slow-feed bowl. Also suggested prophylactic stomach tacking.
Gastropexy surgery to prevent future bloat. $1,600 to tack Buster's stomach to his body wall.
Better to do it electively than in the middle of a bloat emergency.
Ear Infections Became a Monthly Problem
Those adorable long ears are a nightmare to keep clean. Buster gets ear infections constantly.
At first I thought it was normal. Dogs get ear infections sometimes, right?
But Buster was getting infections every few weeks. Scratching, head shaking, brown discharge.
Each ear infection requires a vet visit, ear cleaning, and prescription drops. $180 each time.
The vet said Basset Hounds have poor air circulation in their ears because they're so long and floppy.
Moisture gets trapped, bacteria grows, infection develops. It's almost inevitable.
Now I clean Buster's ears twice weekly with special solution. $25 per bottle.
Even with regular cleaning, he still gets infections. Just less frequently.
Some months we're at the vet twice for ear problems. It adds up fast.
What Basset Hound Insurance Actually Covers
Buster's medical bills taught me that Basset Hound insurance needs to focus on their breed-specific problems.
Spinal Surgery Coverage is Non-Negotiable
Disc surgery for Basset Hounds is expensive and often happens multiple times.
Buster's first surgery cost $6,800 total. MRI, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy.
Most Basset Hounds need back surgery at some point. It's not if, it's when.
Some insurance policies have low limits on orthopedic surgery. But disc surgery isn't really orthopedic, it's neurological.
Make sure your policy has high limits for neurological procedures and doesn't exclude spinal conditions.
Buster's insurance covered 80% of his surgery costs. Without it, we would have put him down.
Ongoing Physical Therapy Coverage
Recovery from disc surgery requires months of physical therapy. It's not optional.
Buster needed 16 PT sessions at $120 each. That's $1,920 just for rehab.
Many policies don't cover physical therapy or have very low limits.
But for Basset Hounds with back problems, PT is essential for recovery and preventing re-injury.
Look for policies that specifically cover veterinary physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Preventive Surgery Coverage
Gastropexy surgery isn't emergency treatment. It's preventive.
Some policies don't cover elective procedures, even when they prevent life-threatening conditions.
But prophylactic stomach tacking is recommended for many deep-chested breeds, including Basset Hounds.
Find a policy that covers preventive surgeries when they're medically recommended.
It's cheaper to prevent bloat than treat it as an emergency.