My lab mix started showing signs of a neurological problem at about 7 years old (wobbly on the back legs) which got worse over time so that at the age of about 11 she was having two seizures in a row at least once a month (stiff as a board in the legs and not breathing through the first part and then panting/drooling through the second. Our vet said we could medicate but it was basically going to keep her drugged and she would not be the same. His suggestion was to change her food first…and low and behold they are gone and have been for 3 years (although I have noticed tiny tremors once in a while). It could be a food allergy or something similar…I switched her from Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice to the Nutro Ultra which was fine until they reformulated it a few months ago. Now she is on the Drs Foster and Smith food for seniors….So try changing his food first…The other thing I learned was to give them a big tablespoon of ice cream after a seizure as they use up tremendous amounts of energy during the seizures. Good Luck!

I am so sick of all this s*&%t that I only care that Jon Stewart gave my husband bragging rights from Afghanistan (I have a photo to prove it) and then he gave the military members their due on his show last night…the rest of the mess is just white noise at this point….

After watching my newest basset adoptee destroy the last plastic cone I had (bassets are very special: they have a big neck but short legs which is not a good combo when the Large cones drag on the floor and get caught on carpets/door frames etc….). So I bought one of those new-fangled inflatable collars and it worked wonders. I don’t have to worry about dogs tripping themselves up on the stairs anymore. They are in the medical supply section at Petsmart or other online stores:)

Have they tested for giardiasis? I grew up in Africa where it is more common, but it is found in the US. It took 10 years for them to figure out that my mom had it…It’s a protozoa that hangs out in the intestines. It might also be an amoeba of some kind. If he isn’t drinking on his own, he definitely needs to be on IV fluids. Praying for the whole TBogg clan. :(

I’ll make you feel better: My adopted basset has typical basset teeth, which fall apart within 6 months of the last cleaning. She has a tooth that needs to be removed, which will cost a bundle as she is over 10 years and requires the full blood panel tests. To make matters MUCH worse, she has a double heart murmur (due to heartworms she had when she was found wandering the streets). Do you know how much it costs to see a veterinary cardiologist for 10 minutes? Almost $500. BEFORE the blood panel, anaesthesia, tooth cleaning AND tooth removal. The kicker is that my OTHER dog is 13 1/2….just about time to start falling apart (she already cost me $500 dollar for shots, dental and lump removal before January was even over!)…….. Good thing we love the scoundrels, isn’t it?

My adopted 10 yr old basset Autumn talks a lot (but does not howl). I actually call her “grumble guts” because it sounds even more piteous than plain old whining. Other days I call her “Boing-boing basset” because she just keeps moving…and she has a double heart murmur! I figure if she goes, at least she’ll be happy.

Just thought I would post a “Basset-in-need” alert! John Cole at Balloon Juice posted a call for help for a basset named Lucy who was rescued and needs a HUGE lump removed….Looking at her, she may be a bagel (basset/beagle), but the lump is awful and must be removed. How can people let things get so bad?

I bet neither of them argue with you or try to force you to feed them! My adopted 10 yr old basset girl, Autumn, is BOSSY. I see Wembley and that same look is there….calculating how to get what he wants with minimal effort. The basset way. PS. Did you get a new copy of “The Tao of Maggie yet”? I feel partially responsible as the guilty party who sent it to you in the first place. My theory is the bassets ate it as a method of hiding their true nature which definitely shines in that book (if food and naps can “shine”). I’m sure St.Satchmo would want you to have a new one to help you understand (“control” might be a better word) the bassets:)

Okay, that was in response to beaglemom, but the darn edit wouldn’t let me fix it!!!!

Before you do something crazy, look up “House of Puddles” and go visit Marilyn and 19 senior bassets in Maryland. If you like it, then you can proceed to spend horrific amounts of money to be owned by a basset. Or, you can come to NOVA and borrow my adopted 9 year old bully, Autumn…she has the same look as Wembley:)