You should take your new pup to your veterinarian for a check up as soon as possible. Have him do a stool sample and check for worms, and cuccidic. The average life of a basset, if given the proper care is 12 years. Much longer than other breeds, some have lived more than 17 years. Here are some notes on things to look for, care, and what to do. If you have any other questions about your new pup visit these pages on this web site, (Bassets Facts) and (Bassets Care) or fill free to contact me anytime. By phone or e-mail.

Puppies Get Roundworms & Hookworms This is the #one problem with puppies. When a future mother is infested with roundworms or hookworms, most of the larvae migrate to the small intestine where they spend their adult stage. Some larvae, however, become encysted (enclosed within a sac, or capsule) within the tissues of her uterus or mammary glands, becoming dormant for an extended period, even years. During and following pregnancy and whelping, the encysted worms are stimulated by hormones and resume development. This stage of a worm will pass though either the placenta or milk into the infant puppies, thus infecting them. The puppies are either born with, or develop, "a case of worms" soon after birth. When these worms mature in the puppies, they live in the intestine. There, the roundworms live off the food the puppy eats. As the number of worms increases, the loss of nutrition can be significant. Hookworms attach to the intestines and directly suck blood from the vessels, which can quickly lead to anemia. Adult round and hookworms produce eggs that are passed with the stools. These eggs contaminate the dog's environment producing a constant source of re-infestation. It is wise to assume your puppy was infested with worms at birth. All puppies should be treated with a wormier three times before they are two months old, at about 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age. I use and recommend the extremely safe and effective Nemex which I get from my veterinarian. Do not treat worms with over the counter medication. Worms can kill a pup, don't take that chance, take your pup to a veterinarian for worms. Ring worm can get between your pups toes, on the ears and tail. More often if its wet out side. This can be treated with a anti fungal cream, that states for ring worm. Can be purchased it at your local store or wal-mart. Oh yes don't for get about heart worms, ask your veterinarian about this.

Cuccidic; Pup has green looking loose stool. Need to be taken to a veterinarian. Get more info on cuccidic by clicking here.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule At 5, 7, 9 & 11weeks give canine five or per veterinarian's schedule. I will give all vaccinations, till the pup is shipped. After the puppy vaccinations are given, give Canine 7 ever year. They should have a rabbis at 12 weeks in most parts of the country. I recommend you use Bio Spot to control flees and ticks. It works even here in Alabama, where I think all flees and ticks come from.

Feeding; I feed all pups Pirna Puppy Chow (DRY). He should have a good brand of puppy chow, until your pup is one year old. Your pup is still a teenager at two years old. Feed your pup three to four cups a day. One cup at each feeding. Take the pup out five to ten minutes after feeding, always take the pup to the same location for business, this is not a play time, its for business only. Take him back in the house. If you want to take him back out to play, wait ten or fifteen minutes before doing so.

Ear Cleaning Procedure Clean ears are very important to your new puppy's good health. Ears should be cleaned twice a month for the first year; and once a month thereafter. Make you a mixture of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% distilled white vinegar, it does a great job. Squirt a small amount into the ear canal and work in with a Q-tip. Rinse with more of the mix. Talk to your veterinarian about ear mite control.