SEDATION/ANESTHESIA:  A fairly large percentage of a Bloodhound's weight is in skin and bone, so the  total muscle mass in a 100-pound Bloodhound is far less than in a 100-pound Rottweiler.  Our breeder/vet told us to have the vet calculate dosages at 2/3 of their weight, rather than at their full weight. Good Article on Anesthesia

EYE CARE:  Since a Bloodhound eye shows more haw then many other breeds, a small amount of discharge daily is normal.  This discharge may increase during times of high wind or pollen counts.  Mild conjunctivitis may also be apparent during these times, but corneal edema or keratitis should not.  The eyes should be wiped out gently once a day. Be careful not to let your hound put their head out of a moving vehicle as this can cause serious eye injury due to flying debris, bugs, etc.

EAR CARE:  The dog's ears should be cleaned at least weekly during warm weather and at least monthly during the winter.  The product I prefer is the Hound Ear Cleaner. A thorough flushing/cleaning under sedation once or twice a year is a good idea for any Bloodhound that seems to have sensitive ears.

SKIN:  The area between the flews or dewlaps can easily develop a chronic dermatitis if it stays damp.  I use the hound cleaner to wipe the area then put on Gold Bond powder. The hound cleaner is also effective for acute moist dermatitis between the toes during the summer.

ORTHOPEDIC:  Bloodhounds can develop hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and OCD in the shoulder, even when bred from clear parents.  For this reason it is best to keep the dog on the lean side during the first two years of life and to maintain appropriate weight for the lifetime.

GASTROINTESTINAL:  Gastric torsion is frequently a problem in this breed.  The following link is about bloat and GDV surgery, please print it off and give to your veterinarian and keep a copy in all vehicles for emergencies.

Animal Health Information Table of Contents

Care for Animals by AMVA

Common Medical Conditions Found in Bloodhounds

First Aid and Emergency Care

Merck Vet Manual

The Pet Center (The internet Animal Hospital)

When to Spay or Neuter your Bloodhound?

Question:
What is safer -- spaying at 6-12 weeks or after 6 months? Does juvenile spay cause a change in growth? The only other dog in the house is a spayed senior. It would be a little cheaper to do it now, but the money is not an issue. This is the puppy's third home in  about 2 weeks, is stress a factor to consider?

Answer:
Tell your friend to NOT do the spay now.  If this pup has gone through three homes in two weeks it has already had waaaaay more stress than it needs. Yes, early spay/neuter can affect closure of the growth plates and allow a pup to grow a bit taller than it would have otherwise.  But the most compelling reason to wait is that there is recent research showing the risk of urinary incontinence later in life is higher in female puppies spayed early.

Care of the Bloodhound

Dog Awareness for Everyone and Youths
(DAFEY)

Kansas State Vet Newsletters

When it is time to say GOOD-BYE
 

Return to the Home Page
11-1-04