[Dailydrool] Expensive bassets

[Pam McQuade]

I am so happy for those of you who are having a hard time understanding why 
bassets could be an expensive dog to keep. Wish I was in your position.

Some things that have taken up the cash flow for us have been getting those 
yucky ears treated (everyone but Jane has been in for that on a regular 
basis), having Abner's chronic skin-fold dermatitis and hypothyroid treated, 
and having his back reworked so he could walk again. We also had that funky 
tumor removed from Abs' private parts--but since that's very rarely 
cancerous, it probably will affect us more than most people. Bel has what 
seems to be a somewhat chronic skin infection that shows up in the warmer 
months.

So far we have not had any problems with glaucoma, but Belvedere has a 
chronic eye trouble that is slowly taking his sight. The specialist for this 
is wonderful, but he costs more than the average vet, and we see him at 
least four times a year.

Looking at my dogs' records, my vet told me they'd be wonderful to use as 
examples for student vets. Evidently we take the hounds to the vet when they 
need to go. Students could see what vet care should be.

Some vet owners don't do this. Our Alexis Grace had chronic ear troubles and 
a tumor on her shoulder when she came into rescue. Her humans took her to 
the vet once a  year, whether she needed it or not. Too bad they didn't 
treat the pseudomonas infection in her ears, because she might never have 
had to have a TECA on one ear. They had the medication, which they turned 
over to Tri-State when they gave her up, but it was clear they'd never used 
it.

So maybe most basset people rigorously take their dogs in when they need 
care, but there are breed-related problems, like ear, eye, and back 
troubles, that can cause the exchequer to feel some pain. Then there are the 
other things, like the skin issues, which just get tossed any dog's way.

On the other hand, apart from getting their nails done, my hounds have been 
pretty cheap in the grooming department (Abner excepted, since because of 
his back trouble I can't lift him into a tub, and I don't dare try to put 
the hose on him). I wonder how much those fluffy dogs that need constant 
grooming cost. Does a lifetime of grooming bills make up for extra vet 
bills?

Of course since I have seniors, I have spent more than most folks who have 
young dogs. When these hounds were young, they didn't go in as often. And 
some individual dogs just are pretty healthy all around. Jane is the 
healthiest of ours and has really not cost much, compared to the others.

I have often wondered if I should have had a "cheaper" breed, but then I 
think of those soulful basset eyes and all those cuddles. Could I trade them 
for anything else? Not as long as I can handle that basset pull on the end 
of a leash.
Pam, pulled on by all the Dashing Bassets