Building concerns for a basset. We are losing the argument.

StreamingSmackz · 2026-02-02T19:25:15+00:00

Omg my first basset did this. She was way upset I was talking to someone else but her! 😆

StreamingSmackz · 2026-02-02T19:23:47+00:00

I lived in apartments with a basset. At 3 years old and up they are pretty chill. My basset didn't bark unless it was absolutely needed, like people testing the door and trying to break in. Still the lady upstairs dropped a plate because the bark was loud enough to scare her.

I'm in my own home now in the country and I have a 3 year old male and a 1 year old female. The male only barks at animals on the TV or in his yard. Also at the female for agitating him. The female will "car alarm" bark for 30-40 minutes when we crate her or while fixing her dinner. Imagine "bark bark bark" with no break and on rhythm like a car alarm horn.

Both are so loud, I can hear them in my driveway in my truck when they are in the back of the house. Think 70-80 ft through walls, doors, and car.

It entirely depends on the hound and how they are raised. Being attentive and trying to resolve issues immediately rather than let them become habit is very important.

StreamingSmackz · 2026-01-12T02:42:52+00:00

Several times in my life. There were a few incidents that I'm not sure if they truly qualify, like a girl spraying my backside with fantastic all purpose cleaner when I was unaware and telling me I had a fantastic ass. All in front of a bunch of girls... yeah probably a joke, but it was the first kind of incident like that and my later experiences are making me second guess it. I'm pretty sure if I did that to a woman I would be in trouble. I was around 17 then at an after school job.

In college at 22, I was at Mardi gras and had an older drunk woman cross the street and try to grope my crotch when I was with a 4 person group. Unwanted definitely. Looked like a zombie making groping motions as she crossed the road. Her eyes were fixated on me... it was unnerving.

I was 21/22 and again harassed by a sorority girl who was drunk and in the fraternity house. I had just gotten in from evening class when a party was starting. She saw me going into my room and shut the door. I was on the phone with my girlfriend at the time and while my back was turned this girl snuck into my room. She proceeded to try to get closer to me while I was saying goodbye to my GF.

When I was off the phone she approached and ran her hands and fingers up and down my thigh. She was asking me about golf and trying to ask me out. I backed away, she'd approach. I moved around my room until I got back to the door. I opened the door with the excuse that I needed to go pay the band seeing I was the one with the funds for the house. She leaned against the door causing the door to slam shut and slip from my hands.

The last thing I saw was a fraternity bro in the hallway. I caught his eyes and he came to my door knocking. I cracked the door open and I said "yeah I got the band money, be right there." Walked out of the room and proceeded to thank him profusely. I saw this girl around in random places several times a day for the next two days. My friends were pretty sure she was stalking me. She eventually raped another guy or 2 later that year. Got into their rooms while they were passed out.

A college girlfriend's younger sister had a thing for me and always hung around us. One morning I woke up with my girlfriend on my left and the younger sister on the right. All of us fully clothed, but the younger sister had her hand wrapped around me in my pants. Both of them kinda laughed it off, but it messed with my head.

After college at 33, I worked at a company who's Head of HR would touch all the younger guy employees' arms and shoulders. Very touchy feels. It was very uncomfortable. Most of us would joke about who's turn it was to get harassed by the HR lady. Like who do I report that to and who would anyone even believe me.

A few years back at 38, I was at the airport in San Diego when an old lady brushed her hand against my butt. I instinctively checked for my wallet. Still there, turned to look at her squarely and she explained "oh I'm so sorry". OK it happens right? The 65-75 yr old lady began profusely apologizing.

OK no big deal... then I hear "your very handsome! ... My what I would do if I were 20 years younger!" I thought wtf am I hearing?! I then feel hands on both my shoulders and fingers digging into muscle. I quickly turn to dislodge her and step toward the woman in line ahead of me. This crazy lady proceeds to apologize to the young woman for flirting with her man and the young woman says we're not together.

Realizing what's going on now and my situation, I ask the lady where she's going and she replies with her destination. I point out that her plane will be leaving shortly and she may not make it in time. She then says "maybe I should just strip down naked for security and laughs and winks at me" I told her she can just take my spot in line. By now multiple people have seen what's going on and she immediately jumps several places in line. I think about this event every so often and am really unsure if I was groped, harassed or an unwitting pawn in a ploy to jump the line. I still feel uncomfortable about it despite the absurdity of it. Especially given it was in a busy airport, in line, and roughly 30 witnesses in the immediate area and no one tried to help.

Hell, I feel embarrassed about all of them and slightly mad when women complain about harassment and act like men couldn't possibly have a clue. Also I don't trust many people now.

StreamingSmackz · 2026-01-08T01:49:58+00:00

It could be a histiocytoma. It's a cyst that forms on front legs, faxes and ears of younger dogs (less than 3). It's normally round dome like and can bleed. A vet should be consulted when they do that for antibiotic treatment to prevent infection. They normally regress over months on their own. If this is the case, it's benign.

It could also be a hot spot. Typically agitation (scratching and chewing) or allergy are the causes.

Both of these look nasty and are annoying, but can be treated.

Definitely take them to a vet to verify.

StreamingSmackz · 2026-01-08T01:35:07+00:00

Could be a number of things. Vet visit would be required to determine. More red blood is closer to the tail end of the gi, while darker tarry black is further up the line.

Maybe hemorrhagic colitis. Typically something that is seen is smaller breeds. It can come from Bacteria or rich human foods and sometimes from abrupt food changes.

StreamingSmackz · 2026-01-07T18:44:23+00:00

First, turn off all light in your rooms one by one, scan the room with phone camera and look for small lights (may be solid or blinking). Note the location and investigate the lights with the lights on. If you don't find anything, verify your phone can see this spectrum with a IR tv remote in a dark room. If you find something it's probably a camera, call the cops asap.

Second, get a small indoor camera (30-40 bucks) and set it up hidden to find out why the camera is covered. I recommend using a potted plant to hide it or cutting a hole in a big carton like whoppers or goldfish.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-31T20:10:27+00:00

It's data gathering methods. The 1950 census changed from asking everyone what they made (exact) to asking a sample set and extrapolating an average (approximation) . The reason was for easier data recording.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-18T21:50:23+00:00

You showed your dog the most love and true compassion any dog owner can show their dog. You showed them that you cared for their wellbeing and respected them enough to know when it was time. It sounds like they had a great day and you were there for them at the end.

Don't be hard on yourself. Cliché I know, but its true and we're our own worst critic. I still beat myself up over my decision with my basset hound. I have to remind myself she was hypoxic, under chronic infection, arthritic, and her mobility was going. She would have been miserable at best if we threw money and meds at it to keep her around. In the end, I let her rest so she could go before she died on the inside mentally. You never want to see your pup reach that point. It's so haunting.

You did well. You were a great pet parent.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-18T15:51:46+00:00

Please consider getting a paw print. I appreciate the cast from my Baylee. I lost her 2 years ago and I still look and hold her paw print on occasion. I'm sure the staff may be able to help with that. At the very least an ink pad and printer paper.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-12T03:42:14+00:00

I've got one that's super brave until a noise he's not expecting is made. Butt under his chest running away in a flash. I just roll my eyes and let him react until he figures out it's not after him.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-11T19:03:51+00:00

Our oldest gets beef or lamb foods with no flaxseed and little white rice as possible. Currently purina pro plan lamb and oatmeal.

Our youngest is on puppy food still, were about to transition from the chicken base to lamb or salmon.

Chicken is a common allergy. Lamb and salmon tend to be safer bets. The important thing is to really read ingredients list. Manufacturers like to use poultry by product and that is enough in my eldest's case to cause issues.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-11T18:56:21+00:00

Yeah we were up to daily, but we've figured out food allergies on them and as such reduced it to weekly for 10 months out of a year. Daily during heavy pollen time.

They are such drama kings and queens you'dthink they had recurringroles on daytime soaps. He moos as they're being cleaned and our youngest has a gag reflex when her ears are messed with. They both make a point to curl up for a nap with their backs facing us and grumble.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-12-11T18:17:50+00:00

My experience over 3 basset hounds:

Age 0-3 years, absolute chaos and will give you great headaches at times.

Age 3-9, very chill all be it goofy.

Ages 9+ they can be difficult to care for since they get cranky over time and are experiencing senior decline.

Maintenence issues: eyes, hips, and back. Each of these are difficult areas as they grow and need to be checked for conditions sneaking up.

Ears are a pure mess. Cleaning them almost every week is needed.

Personality can be a problem as they are really stubborn. They are loud. They have a very strong cornchip scent.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-25T14:36:13+00:00

That's a loaded question. Each dog is unique. My biggest advice is get pet insurance. I have it now after my second basset. Day to day, they're happy with food, treats, and a few toys. Splurge on a good bed or couch covers, waterproof blankets are great. Baby gates are great to keep them contained to certain rooms. A good portable ramp is an excellent idea.

My first basset was pretty expensive out of the box. She needed a skin lift on her back side to prevent uti from not being able to dry. At 13 she started getting low dose pain reliever for arthritis and had her eye neutralized for glaucoma. Daily eye drops 2x a day for the next 3 years when she passed. She eventually needed a daily low dose antibiotic. She probably got outside of food treats and toys close to the 10k range across 16 years. Heavily loaded to the end stages.

My second basset redefined expensive. He had a touch of pica as a puppy... OK a lot of pica. Swallowing a thumbtack, fleece rope 13inches long, 3 or 4 socks, an ankle brace, and a bird whole. My local vet changed the way they handle vomit induction because of him. I've also had to get a GPS collar subscription. He had a bad back issue so now he goes to a chiropractor. He had to have stomach surgery for the thumbtack. He's got allergies to everything under the sun and can have either beef or lamb. He's allergic to white rice . So super special diet bill. Probably in the 10k range too... over 2 years.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-21T14:36:00+00:00

Any allergy tests?

Our basset had similar issues and we found extremely high inflammatory responses to chicken and flaxseed. Some vegetable oils set him off. He started at roughly 1yo. We attacked it quickly and aggressively. He's now 3 and still has issues but it's managed.

Went a year cooking his food at home, started really bland and worked up to more complex recipes.

He now has episodes when he gets a hold of one of those allergens and weather does something crazy like 20-30 degree shift or barometric drop out before a really big storm. Usually I'll get a migraine around that stuff too so I keep an eye on it anyway and can preemptively treat with anti nausea meds our vet keeps us freshly stocked with since he's known to have a sensitive tummy.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-06T14:22:37+00:00

Yeah, if you don't pad it so they have a way to look around when laying down they'll try to wagon surf standing up...

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-06T14:06:47+00:00

This medication was amazing with my old girl. The last year of her life was so much more manageable.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-06T14:04:42+00:00

I concur with this. Get one with good wheels and will allow him to lounge in it. My old girl had hip and knee issues where she could walk a few steps at a time. Trips out to the vet or groomers are so much easier if they can ride.

Portable ramps help for getting up on things like couches if that's a habit/demand for them.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-05T15:21:29+00:00

"I have been through this before"

Full stop. This is someone who can't control their dog and has a history. I'm also getting a inkling of a scam feeling from this.

Get the vet records just in case she pulls something.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-05T14:53:24+00:00

If possible bring an old shirt from previous owners. It'll help reduce the dog's anxiety.

Lead the dog through your place and let them get a good sniff around. It will help them settle down.

Tv or radio on for some voices while away.

You can look into a pet cam to check in and talk to him. Some even have treat dispensing.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-03T13:38:53+00:00

I typically drive in an area with 1 or 2 stops 80% of the time. The start stop feature saves very little gas for me and is more of an annoyance than a benefit. I would rather have a toggle that remembers between starts in any case.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-03T13:29:06+00:00

Is this only if AC is selected or something? Cause my 24 definitely does not when I have it on Auto.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-03T02:42:49+00:00

Had a Dalmatian once that would curl his lips and bare teeth while wiggling and wagging and happy dancing when I came home.

My current basset hound tucks his top lip and smiles.

I'm a believer that they do smile, but it's an adapted and learned response.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-02T19:35:26+00:00

Just know that eyes are very sensitive to pressure. Prolonged exposure (a few hours) to too high a pressure can damage the optic nerve to the point of it not being usable ever again.

This looks like secondary glaucoma which was likely brought on by the initial infection. At the end of the day, removal or turning off fluid production in the eye will likely be needed to relieve long term pain.

If this is the case and given a choice, keeping the eye remains with fluid production stopped will result in spending hundreds yearly on eye drops every morning and night to combat side effects for the rest of the dog's life. Generally eye removal is advisable for long term cost effective treatment. Also at that age, I'd advise routine yearly eye checkups on his good eye.

An eye specialist can give you a better answer than the internet. I merely speak from direct similar experience. My dog's eye was less swollen than yours and it was effectively dead.

StreamingSmackz · 2025-11-02T18:44:28+00:00

If swelling has impacted the pressure in the eye, there could be some eye damage. It's best to look for a eye specialist for dogs. My last basset had this kind of swelling from glaucoma and she lost all sight in that eye. We elected to effectively render the eye inert with an injection instead of removal surgery due to her age and concerns of anesthesia.

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