Common Basset Hound Eye Problems Your Pet Might Have & Solutions

One of the most distinctive features of a basset hound is its extra skin folds and wrinkles that give it a sad, droopy appearance. Whenever it looks at you, you can’t help but fall on your knees and give your pooch what it wants.

But despite the uniqueness it provides, this extra skin can become a breeding ground for bacteria. That is why basset hound eye problems are common. Therefore, grooming is a crucial aspect to focus on.

The skin folds have crevices that collect moisture brought by sweat and oil from their skin. These are the places where bacteria can grow. If left alone, the bacteria can cause skin infections and may multiply until it affects vital organs like the eyes and ears.

Basset Hound Eye Problems To Address

 

Cherry Eye – Why do Basset Hounds have (Bloodshoot) Red Eyes

Unlike humans, animals have a third eyelid, an additional layer that protects their eyes from foreign invaders. Cherry eye is a condition wherein the third eyelid, which is usually hidden at the inner corners of the eye, right where the tear ducts are, balloons out and creates a red bump.

It eventually blocks the basset hound’s line of vision as it grows. Why the cherry eye? The visible red bump can grow as huge as a cherry, although not as red.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of this basset hound sight conditions are as follow-

• Lethargy
• The lumps can grow painful as it takes over the space of the eyeball.
• Soreness in the surrounding skin of the inner corners of the eye.

You may also notice that your basset hound scratches the infected eye a lot. If it becomes infected, the eye dries out, and it can be itchy and uncomfortable to your dog.

Treatment

Vets still cannot determine the cause of cherry eye, although they have treatments to remedy the problem. In the early stages, they usually prescribe an ointment to soothe the pain and reduce the swelling.

One such effective eyedrops prescribed by vets is Similasan Pink Eye Relief Drops. It is non-toxic and pain-free solution to treat itchy and burning red eyes of Basset Hound. Unfortunately, most cases often relapse.

Depending on the severity of the infection, your vet may require surgery. Your vet may either put the eyelid glands back in place or remove the gland altogether.

The latter procedure may be useful in preventing cherry eye in the future. Unfortunately, it increases the chances of getting another one of the typical basset hound sight disorder called “dry eye” or keratoconjunctivitis, which is just as bad.

Entropian Eyelids

Problem

This basset hound vision problem is a medical condition wherein the dog’s eyes rolled back. This can be seen in either the upper and lower eyelid of one or both eyes. Entropian eyelids seem to be more common in dogs, particularly in dog breeds that have a flat face or muzzle.

This doesn’t mean that this cannot be one of the basset hound sight conditions as well. Because of the extra skin folds found right at the top of basset hound eyes, bacteria and other skin pathogens can seep into the eyeball as the lid rolls inward. This can cause a dog eyelid infection.

Signs And Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of this basset hound vision disorder may include:-

• Shedding of tears (and not because of sadness, although you can’t really tell with basset hounds).
• A sudden discharge from the corners of the eye.
• Excessive blinking due to irritation, and constant scratching at the affected area.

If left untreated, entropion eyelids can cause damage and scarring to the cornea which can ultimately lead to blindness.

Treatment

Like the cherry eye, basset hound vision infections such as this can only be solved with surgery. Vets can reshape the eyelids to remove the excess skin that continually rolls in. However, this procedure is only done to mature basset hounds.

In case the eye problem is not severe, several Eye ointments are prescribed to reduce any further damage brought by the entropian eyelid. Vetericyn Plus All Animal Ophthalmic Gel is one such eye drops that will lubricate their eyes and keep them from drying out too much.

Ectropian Eyelids

Problem

If entropion eyelids refer to the “rolling inward” motion, ectropian eyelids refer to the “rolling outward.” The exposed membrane of the eyelid brought by ectropion presents it from foreign substances in the air. Once the lid goes back to its original position (over the eye), these particles transfer to the eyeball, which can irritate and damage it over time.

Signs and symptoms

If you want to have firsthand experience as to how ectropian eyelids work, try folding your eyelid upward using your finger and nails to form the indent. After that, wait for a few minutes, then unfold the lid.

Aside from the sudden coldness brought by the fact that you exposed the membrane to the outside temperature, your eye may also notice some dust particles and other foreign invaders. It may then produce enough tears to wash the dirt away.

Now, imagine your dog doing the same thing if it ever has this breed eye infection, but on a daily basis. Add the fact that ectropion also hinders the tear ducts from producing enough tears to keep the eyeball moisturized. This dog breed’s eye condition is just as dangerous as ectropian eyelids.

The following is a list of possible signs and symptoms that may be seen with ectropian eyelids in basset hounds.

• Eyes are red, watery or have mucus discharge from the eyes.
• The dog has difficulty opening their eyes because they are stuck together.
• The dog’s eyes appear to bulge outwards due to excess skin around them.
• The dog’s eye lids do not close completely when they sleep which can lead to dryness and irritation on the surface of the eyeball as well as corneal ulcers (open sores).

Treatment

It is recommended to use EYE-D-AL+ Herbal Eye Tonic for Dogs to treat ectropian eyelids in Basset Hounds. It’s made from all natural ingredients and has been proven effective by veterinarians for over 30 years!

Your vet may recommend corrective surgery to prevent further damage and save what’s remaining. Luckily, a routine checkup can easily reveal these two basset hound vision infections, so make sure that you keep your dog’s medical records updated yearly.

Dermoid Cysts

Problem:

This type of dog eye problem is a type of tumor (non-cancerous) that spreads across the skin of a fetus. Dermoid cysts are congenital disabilities that can be passed on from the parent to the pups.

To make sure that your dog does not get this basset hound vision disorder, only purchase this breed from a reputable breeder. Responsible kennel owners ensure that any genetic diseases are absent in their litter.

Signs And Symptoms

You can find it either on the back, neck, around the eyes, and reproductive organs. Although not that damaging compared to other basset hound sight diseases, relief for your dog is far off because it can be itchy.

Once your pet succumbs to temptation, the cyst can eventually rupture, causing a pus-like fluid to flow. Even after dog eyes popping out these non-cancerous tumors refill themselves, not to mention that they can become infected.

Dogs who have this condition should be monitored closely and the owners must look for the notable signs and symptoms. Some of them include-

• New lumps or bumps on their skin.
• Hair loss around those areas
• Difficulty breathing from swelling around the throat area (if located near head).
• Weight loss despite eating well (if located near stomach).
• lethargy/depression (in general) etc.

Treatment

To treat this eye problem, some vets recommend surgery particularly if the cysts disrupt the dog’s daily activities. Despite this, there is still a chance that the tumor would refill. For this, vets prescribe some ointments to relieve the itchy feeling.

For this, Arava Pet Eye Wipes work wonders. They’re made with natural ingredients and contain no artificial colors or fragrances that could irritate their sensitive skin. The wipes also remove tear stains from the fur around their eyes to keep them looking fresh and clean.

In general, however, vets employ “benign neglect.” It means that they would have to leave the cysts as they are unless it causes discomfort to the basset hound.

After all, dermoid cysts are genetic; they would not go away no matter how many treatments you apply. What you can only do as an owner is to provide relief.

Ulcerative Keratitis

Problem

The cornea is a transparent cover in the pupil which is responsible for admitting light in the eye. Ulcerative keratitis, also known as corneal ulcer, happens when the corneal layers cloud over.

This basset hound vision infection can be caused by a variety of factors, which include trauma, eye infection, and the inability of the tear ducts to produce tears, among others. It could also be a sign of an underlying disease.

Signs And Symptoms

This results in loss of vision. Although this condition is more common among flat-faced dog breeds, any dog can have it, even basset hounds.

The symptoms vary depending on severity, but some signs include-

• Distinct cloudy white film in the center of the eye.
• Itchiness
• Excessive tear and fluid discharge.
• Sore eyes
• Increased sensitivity when exposed to light.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the condition, your vet may require surgery to replace the cornea with a new one. He or she may also add preventive measures to keep your dog from scratching the infected area and worsen this basset hound vision infection.

This includes prescribing medications that can stimulate the tear ducts to produce tears and providing contact lenses (Yes, dogs have one, too!) to prevent further irritation.

Usually, vets also recommend BioHAnce Sentrx Oculenis Ocular Repair Gel which is clinically proven to treat and prevent corneal ulcers in dogs. It’s easy to apply and will help your pup see clearly again without any side effects.

Glaucoma

The eye contains fluids, commonly known as aqueous humor, that helps it in doing its responsibility effectively. These fluids maintain a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyes rounded and functional. Once they have served their purpose, the aqueous humor eventually drains out of the eye.

If the eye produces more amounts of aqueous humor than the amount it drains out, the pressure accumulates within the organ. In time, the optic nerves and retina would become worn out, which may lead to vision loss. Unlike other dog breed eye problems, glaucoma is a prevalent medical issue in this particular dog breed.

It is a disease that can be passed on from the parent to the offspring. What’s worse about this basset hound glaucoma eye problem is the fact that it waits for the dog to reach two years before the symptoms show up. And once they do, the damage is already so detrimental.

Signs And Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of glaucoma may include:-

• Excessive scratching on the affected eye.
• Constant squinting and blinking, and excessive tear production.
• You may also notice that their eyes are bulging out of their sockets and red veins are popping out prominently on the white part (sclera) of the eye.
• Sometimes a cloudy film in the iris is also noticed which can be mistaken for corneal ulcer if not compared to the other symptoms.

Treatment

Once you witness the first three signs mentioned, immediately seek your vet’s help. In case the problem is less severe, you can treat the eye problem using Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse Liquid for dogs.

It treats glaucoma with an easy-to-use eye rinse liquid that helps reduce pressure on the optic nerve and prevent further damage. Time is of the essence when it comes to treating glaucoma.

There are cases wherein some dogs experience rapid vision loss a few hours after the symptoms showed. Therefore, prevention is always better than cure.

Tips on How To Take The Proper Care of Basset Hound Eyesight

Thankfully, most of the basset hound vision conditions mentioned here can be prevented through appropriate eye care. Here are some things you can do to avoid these medical conditions from harming your dog.

1. Don’t Neglect Your Basset Hound’s Grooming Habits

As previously mentioned, most of the foreign invaders that come into your basset hound’s eye can come from the bacteria that accumulated inside its skin folds. That is why aside from regular bathing and brushing of fur, you have to give your pet a daily sponge bath.

You don’t need to prepare something fancy. Just rub a damp washcloth, towel, or sponge on your dog’s skin. Pay extra care and attention to the wrinkles and hidden crevices underneath all those skin folds, as these are the favorite places for bacteria to grow.

After the sponge bath, use a dry towel to remove the excess water that the skin did not absorb. This is an extra measure you need to do to prevent further bacteria accumulation.

2. Use An Eye Solution To Clean The Eyes and The Skin Surrounding It

An eye solution further helps lubricate your eye and protect it from foreign particles harming it. As you observed, most basset hound vision conditions mentioned above stemmed from the fact that the dog’s eye is constantly bombarded with outside substances. Check out our top recommendations below to know what would be the best antibiotic eye drops for dogs.

3. Memorize Your Basset Hound’s Features

Yes, that means being outright familiar with how many skins folds your basset hound has on the face, and how expressive its eyes can be.

That way, you can spot any slight difference in their eyes (or any part of their body for that matter), and you can call for help immediately.

Our Top Recommendations For Best Eye Drops For Dogs

As previously stated, eyewash for dogs is there to give protection and add moisture to your dog’s eyes. Without it, your pet may experience the basset hound vision problems stated above.

A video Of Cherry Eye In Dogs, By Veterinary Secrets

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Are Basset Hound’s Eyes Droopy?

Ans: Ectropion is a disorder in which a dog’s bottom eyelids droop or roll out. Obtained ectropion can grow as a result of nerve harm and can take place with corneal harm, disease, or other serious inflammatory conditions.

Q2. Do Basset Hounds Have Poor Eyesight?

Ans: Glaucoma, a severe eye illness that affects both Basset Hounds and people, is an illness that can quickly lead to blindness if treated properly. Squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea (the transparent front section of the eye), and redness in the whites of the eyes are all indications of this condition.

Q3. What Is The Cause Of Blindness In Bassets?

Ans: In elder Bassets, cataracts are a common cause of blindness. When we inspect him, we’ll check for the lenses of his eyes to grow more opaque—that is, hazy rather than clear. Most dogs adapt well to losing their eyesight and live happily ever after. Surgical removal of cataracts and restoration of vision may also be a possibility.

Q4. What Is The Cherry Eye?

Ans: A gland in the third eyelid of Bassets produces around one-third of the fluid that bathes the eye. It appears as a red blob in the corner of the eye if the gland is irritated or inflamed. This illness is known as cherry eye, and it can strike one or both eyes at any time.

Q5. Congenital Dermoid Cysts: What Are They?

Ans: Dermoid tumors are developmental abnormalities that appear like the skin on the eyeball. Dermoids do not often produce bigger, but they can develop hair that bothers the eye. Unless the discomfort is severe or eyesight is impaired, most dermoids do not need surgical excision.