[Riette]

Good day all!

I am new to Basset.net.

Our 18 month old Sebastiaan Basset recently started dragging his frownt paws when he walks. We have never had to have his nails clipped as he naturally wears them down. So now when he runs / or walks the nails and feet at the top starts bleeding

The vet said that it does happen to some dogs. I was not very happy with this answer as I don't want him to hurt himself. For the time being I am trying to keep him as still as possible (luckily it is winter and very cold at the moment where we live in SA). He is not grossly overweight but I have put him on a diet which I am sure would help.

Could anyone offer advice on this matter?

 

[Soundtrack]

Probably faulty front end construction, but I couldn't say for sure without a good picture.

I used to have a Basset named Webster who would drag his front feet when he walked, his middle toenails were always very short.

 

[Riette]

Thanks for your reply. I will try to upload a photo. Sebastiaan does sort of have "duck feet". If it is front end assembly problems would there be anything I could do to help?

 

[Mikey T]

If it is front end assembly problems would there be anything I could do to help?

By duck feet I am Assuming you mean the feet point east and west rather than north and south. That actual rarely causes a problem the only cure is rather extensive surgery and again it it not likely the cause.

The common term is fiddle front for this Mariah above is fiddle fronted but does not knukle over.

But often the do will also knuckle over.

knuckling over in a Great Dane.
It is thought to be cause by laxicity carpus tendons and ligaments. There is much debate whether it is genetic, nutritional or both. Many breeds believe there is a at least a genetic component in basset hounds knuckling over is a fault that is disqualifing in the breed ring ling being too tall. So at lese in the BHCA minds knuckling over has some genetic componnent. In this condition when sitting the wrist will appear to be farther forward of the foot. I have seen in the past knuckled dogs drag their feet. IF the dog is still a puppy there are some to claim succcess with wraping.



Below is the process with photo on great danes. Again this is with younger puppied My guess is the success rate with older puppies and dogs is realitively poor but I don't knot that for sure.

knuckling Over

rather than a surgercal solution with with iffy result you can try an external support
Carpal Brace

 

[Soundtrack]

It could also be a poor shoulder assembly, limiting the amount of "pick up" he can do with his legs/feet. There's not much you can do about that.

Webster was neither fiddle fronted nor knuckled over. He just couldn't pick his feet up enough.

 

[Lightning&Stomps]

To prevent his nails from being ground down so much that they bleed, boots are available to protect dogs' feet. If you get a pair, PLEASE take a photo because I would love to see a basset wearing them.

 

[Riette]

@Lightning & Stomps: LOL, will defnitely post I pic when Sebastiaan gets boots!
@MikeyT: Sebastiaan's feet seems to be fiddled, not knuckled. I am away on business but will load a pic of his feet when I get back. Thanks very much for your reply. Sebastiaan already had Entropion surgery so I wouldnt want to put him through another operation if it could be avoided. Do you think that it would be better once he has lost some weight?
@Soundtrack: Did Webster's feet get any better? What did you do to help?

 

[Mikey T]

Do you think that it would be better once he has lost some weight?

certainly would not hurt

 

[Soundtrack]

Webster was never so bad that anything needed to be done, and when he moved out to the country with me and was walking mainly on grass it was no longer an issue.
Since the main problem with a poor front assembly such as he had is that it takes more effort to lift the feet high enough, it's quite possible that having him lose weight and get into good shape might alleviate the problem by making it easier for him to lift his feet.