AboutNicole Expertise I will offer assistance to anyone needing help with general Basset Hound care, health and behavior/training.
I do not, however, assist those who have bred their pet. If you are responsibly breeding, you shouldn't have simple questions as your mentor should be providing you all the instruction you need.
Experience I currently own a 5 year old Basset Hound and his 6 non-basset siblings...(a mutt and 5 Boxers). I have studied dog behavior and training extensively and train my own dogs.
Organizations Buckeye Boxer Rescue
Education/Credentials I was a certified obedience instructor and a certified potty-training instructor with Petsmart and studied under a canine behaviorist.
Question My bassett hound Kirby is about 5 years old. I clean his ears almost every other day and noticed a black to grayish patch of skin inside the ear, right where his ear meets his head. He is extremely tender to this particular area and itches it alot. Could this be a fungal infection?
Also, my husband and I adopted him about 2 years ago. He has since developed glaucoma in his left eye, which had once been extremely painful for him. One day before the eye doctor ablated the eye and injected meds to help relieve the pain, John accidentally hit him square in the bad eye causing him to yelp and moan. Ever since that day (ist been more than a year), Kirby does not tolerate John. He growls every time John pets him and once has bit him.
Answer Hi Cindy,
Yes, it could be. I'd have it looked at. If he continues to scratch and bother at it, he could cause it to become worse. Cleaners from the store don't do much but remove wax...he may need something medicated.
I sympathize. I have a Boxer who is blind in one eye due to an 'unknown' problem but they do know that he has pressure build up. You may want to see about Prednisone drops for his eye. It IS a steroid but because it isn't taken orally, you don't have to worry about the various side-effects. It seems to help him...may help Kirby as well. Your vet, at the very least, should be seeing him once a year to monitor the condition and pressure.
John should turn himself into a treat dispenser. :) Kirby needs to see him as a source of good things rather than a source of pain. Tell John not to approach Kirby. Have him sit on the couch and toss treats Kirby's way (not donking him with them!). Kirby will gradually start to approach and will eventually re-bond with John. If he has time, he should also be responsible for walking, feeding and watering. Once Kirby starts to relate John to his care and well-being, he'll like him again as he'll associate him with food/treats/exercise/fun instead of head pain. Until Kirby is ready, John should not approach him to pet him.
