PBGVs are cheerful, scent‑driven hounds that may arrive highly stimulated by new smells and other animals; in the lobby they commonly vocalize (bark/bay) and may pull hard toward doors or interesting scents. They are social with people and dogs but can ignore cues when focused on a scent and have a strong chase instinct for small prey, so secure leashing and controlled entries/exits are key. Expect wiggles and curiosity during intake; calm, patient handling and brief pauses for sniffing or food‑focus often help. Vocalizing alone may be normal “hound talk,” but if you observe frantic agitation with overheating, sudden weakness/collapse, or unresponsive behavior, alert the medical team immediately.
Front desk script: This breed follows their nose and can be quite vocal—totally normal for a scent hound. Please keep a snug leash at doorways; if your dog reacts to small pets or restraint, let us know and we can seat you in a quieter spot or do car check‑in. Are there handling preferences (e.g., best treats or calming approaches) you want us to note? If your dog seems overheated, suddenly weak, or unusually distressed, I’ll notify a nurse right away.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens have a documented breed risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG): onset often around 3–4 years, early signs can be subtle, and progression may include lens instability, globe enlargement, and eventual vision loss; DNA testing (ADAMTS17‑associated) and regular ophthalmic screening are emphasized, though not all cases trace to the known variant. Other reported but less common concerns include patellar luxation and hip dysplasia, congenital eye findings (retinal folds, persistent pupillary membranes), ear infections from pendulous ears, and occasional endocrine/neurologic issues noted by the breed club. Escalate immediately if an owner reports a red, painful or cloudy eye, a suddenly enlarged eye, or sudden vision changes (possible ocular emergency).
Front desk script: Thanks for letting us know your dog is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. This breed has a known inherited risk for glaucoma, so we flag charts for regular eye checks—if you notice eye redness, squinting, cloudiness, a dilated pupil, or sudden vision changes, please tell us right away as this can be an emergency. We’ll also monitor knees/hips and those long ears during routine visits. Would you like us to note any prior eye/DNA testing from the breeder on the account?
Small, sturdy scent hounds (about 13–15 inches tall) with rough, low‑shedding coats and big voices; plan daily leashed exercise and a secure fence because their noses take over. Brush weekly and check ears routinely. Health-wise, this breed has a known, DNA‑testable risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG)—ask about POAG test results and schedule periodic ophthalmologist (CAER) eye exams; reputable breeders also screen hips. If you see a red, cloudy, bulging, or painful eye or sudden vision changes, this is an emergency—call us immediately or go to the nearest ER vet.
Front desk script: PBGVs are energetic, vocal scent hounds—recommend daily walks and a fenced yard, plus weekly brushing and regular ear checks. For health screening, ask owners/breeders about POAG DNA status and a recent CAER eye exam; we can book eye screening here. If a client reports a red, painful, or suddenly cloudy eye or vision loss, advise immediate emergency care and direct them to come in now or proceed to the ER.
Front desks commonly hear about ear odor, head shaking, and scratching (drop ears predispose to otitis); itchy skin/coat troubles and grooming matting; bad breath and visible tartar prompting dental cleanings; red, cloudy, or enlarged eyes or squinting (this breed has a documented predisposition to primary open‑angle glaucoma); limping after vigorous play and possible back soreness in short‑legged, long‑backed dogs; and routine questions about vomiting/diarrhea after dietary indiscretion. Escalate immediately if owners report a red/painful or suddenly enlarged eye, sudden head tilt or loss of balance, acute back pain or hind‑limb weakness, repeated vomiting, or blood in stool.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen—let me ask a few quick questions so we can prioritize the visit. Are you noticing ear scratching/odor, red or bulging eyes or squinting, back pain or hind‑end weakness, vomiting/diarrhea, or bad breath/tartar? If there’s a red or painful eye, sudden head tilt or balance problems, inability to use the back legs, repeated vomiting, or bloody stool, please tell me now—this is urgent and we’ll arrange an immediate exam or direct you to emergency care. Otherwise, I’ll book the soonest appointment and please bring any photos/videos and a list of current products or medications.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens have a thick, wiry coat that benefits from weekly brushing to remove dead hair and prevent matting; baths are done as needed rather than on a set schedule. Their floppy, hairy ears can trap moisture and debris, increasing risk for ear canal inflammation/infection—build in routine ear checks during wellness or grooming visits and set expectations for periodic tidy‑ups. Advise referrals to groomers comfortable with wire‑coated breeds. Escalate if owners report ear redness, odor, discharge, persistent head‑shaking, or pain—book a same‑day exam.
Front desk script: This breed has a rough, wiry coat—please remind owners to brush weekly and bathe only when dirty. Because their ears are floppy and hairy, ask about any redness, odor, debris, or head‑shaking. If any of those signs are present, we should see the dog the same day. If needed, we can refer them to a groomer experienced with wire‑coated breeds.
PBGVs have a documented inherited risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG); during intake, screen for eye red flags (redness, squinting, cloudiness, bulging, or any vision change) and note whether the dog has had a POAG DNA test or recent ophthalmologist exam; route eye complaints for same‑day evaluation and escalate to emergency if there is sudden vision loss, a bulging eye, or severe eye pain. Their pendulous ears can predispose to otitis externa—ask about head shaking, odor, discharge, or ear pain; schedule same‑day if painful or discharging, otherwise routine. Capture hunting/outdoor exposure and prior eye/ear history, and advise the client that follow‑up with an ophthalmologist may be recommended based on the veterinarian’s exam.
Front desk script: Because this breed can inherit a form of glaucoma, I’d like to ask about the eyes—any redness, squinting, cloudiness, bulging, or vision changes today, and has your dog had a POAG DNA test or a recent eye specialist exam? If you’re seeing sudden vision loss, a bulging eye, or severe eye pain, this is an emergency—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now while I alert our team. I’ll also note any ear signs like head shaking, odor, or discharge so we can book the right appointment type. Based on what you report, I’ll schedule a same‑day doctor exam or a routine visit.
Puppies: schedule vaccine/parasite visits every 3–4 weeks through roughly 16–20 weeks, plus spay/neuter timing and microchip planning; expect frequent client questions about socialization, housetraining, and grooming for this rough‑coated hound. Adults: transition to annual wellness (many practices prefer semiannual) with weight, dental, behavior, and year‑round parasite prevention; for PBGVs, build in annual eye screening and ask about eye changes each visit because primary open‑angle glaucoma can begin around 3–4 years. Seniors: book semiannual exams with baseline labs and mobility/cognitive check‑ins; anticipate questions about activity, comfort, and vision/hearing. At any stage, sudden eye redness, cloudiness, squinting, or an enlarging eye should be escalated for same‑day assessment.
Front desk script: For your PBGV puppy, we’ll set vaccine/parasite visits every 3–4 weeks until about 16–20 weeks, then a check around one year. As an adult, we recommend yearly wellness (some pets benefit from every 6 months) and, for this breed, an annual eye screen because glaucoma can start as early as 3–4 years. In the senior years, we schedule checkups every 6 months with screening labs. If you notice sudden eye redness, cloudiness, squinting, or a rapidly enlarging eye, please call us today for a same‑day appointment or emergency guidance.
PBGVs are energetic scent hounds that can be vocal and curious—ask owners to arrive with a secure leash and expect a quick move to a room to reduce lobby arousal. Their pendulous ears can trap moisture and debris, so front-desk teams should routinely ask about head-shaking, ear odor, or scratching and offer prompt scheduling if present. The breed also has a known inherited risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG); early changes can be subtle, so encourage routine eye checks and remind owners that any suddenly red, painful, or bulging eye or sudden vision change is an emergency requiring immediate care.
Front desk script: “Thanks for calling about your PBGV—please bring a secure leash; we’ll get you into a room quickly since this breed can be vocal and excitable in the lobby. Do you notice any ear odor, head‑shaking, or scratching? If so, we’ll book a same‑day ear check. If you ever see a red, painful, or bulging eye or sudden vision change, that’s an emergency—come in immediately or go to the nearest ER.”
Front-desk watchouts for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV): confirm a POAG (primary open‑angle glaucoma) DNA result is on file and keep annual ophthalmology (CAER) screening on the schedule; treat any sudden red, cloudy, squinting/painful, or enlarging eye or abrupt vision change as an emergency and direct the client to an ER ophthalmology service immediately; ask about seizure‑like events—first‑ever seizures, any episode lasting >5 minutes, or more than one in 24 hours require same‑day/emergency triage; book routine ear checks/cleaning (hairy, pendulous ears predispose to otitis) and flag head‑shaking or ear odor for earlier appointments; note wellness screening for patella/hip issues; in young dogs, fever with marked neck/neck‑back pain or reluctance to move should be escalated same‑day to rule out inflammatory meningitis syndromes.
Front desk script: Because PBGVs can develop inherited eye disease, can I confirm if we have a POAG DNA test on file and a CAER eye exam within the last 12 months? If you ever notice a suddenly red, cloudy, or painful eye or sudden vision change, that’s an emergency—please go to the nearest ER now and call us on the way. Also, if your dog has a first-time seizure, one lasting over 5 minutes, or more than one in 24 hours, we’ll arrange immediate care; for ear odor or head‑shaking we can book the next available ear check.
Lively, cheerful scent hound that’s social, vocal, and nose‑driven; expect excitement, pulling, and lots of barking in the lobby. Handling: keep securely leashed (harness ideal), use closed doors/quiet room if amped up, reward calm sits, and minimize prolonged restraint. What usually matters: ask about eye history (breed has inherited risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma and other eye issues), recurrent ear infections, orthopedic flags (hip/patella), thyroid meds, and any seizure history. Escalate immediately if an owner mentions a suddenly cloudy/enlarged or painful eye or vision loss, active seizure/collapse, or acute fever with severe neck/neck-back pain—advise same‑day/emergency evaluation.
Front desk script: “PBGVs are friendly, energetic scent hounds—we’ll keep him on a secure leash and may use a harness or a quieter room to help him settle. Has he ever had eye problems or a POAG genetic/eye exam, recurring ear infections, seizures, or thyroid medication? We’ll note any sensitivities before handling. If you notice a suddenly cloudy or painful eye, vision change, or any seizure activity today, please tell me right away so we can prioritize urgent care.”
Active scent hound; expect curiosity, vocalizing, and a tendency to follow odors—advise secure leash/fencing and up-to-date ID/microchip. At intake or before placement, request any ophthalmology records (CAER exam) and POAG DNA results; if unknown, note a baseline eye exam recommendation for adults. POAG is a documented inherited risk in PBGVs (≈10% prevalence; often noted around 3–4 years), and rare cases can occur even when a dog is negative for the common ADAMTS17 inversion—so history plus periodic screening is prudent. Front-desk red flags: any suddenly red, cloudy, squinting, painful, or enlarged eye, or an acute vision change—treat this as an emergency and direct to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately; document and notify your medical lead. Also note ear debris/odor or persistent head shaking and relay for routine veterinary follow-up.
Front desk script: This breed is a scent-driven hound, so we recommend secure leashing/fencing and keeping ID current. Do you have POAG DNA results or a recent ophthalmology (CAER) exam for this dog so we can add them to the file? If you ever see a suddenly red, cloudy, squinting, or enlarged eye—or a sudden vision change—this is an emergency; please go to the nearest emergency vet now and call us so we can coordinate records. We’ll also note any ear concerns and can refer you for timely follow-up.
Cheerful and people-friendly but very scent-driven, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens can be energetic and independent, pulling toward interesting smells and sometimes slow to respond to cues. For check-in and waiting room flow, keep them on a short, secure leash or slip lead, seat away from small pets/wildlife carriers, and verify door control and harness/collar fit to prevent scent-chasing exits. Expect enthusiastic greetings; offer high-value treats and a brief sniffing period to settle. For handoff, note their prey drive and independence, use deliberate leash control (consider leash plus slip lead) and move efficiently through thresholds and parking areas. If collapse, labored breathing, pale/blue gums, uncontrolled bleeding, or heat distress is observed, alert the medical team immediately—treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: Hi there—this breed is a cheerful scent hound and can get excited in new spaces. Please keep your dog on a short leash near you; we’ll seat you a bit away from small pets and keep doors secure. We have slip leads and treats if that helps them settle. If you notice trouble breathing, collapse, or sudden distress, please tell us right away.
For Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV), escalate immediately if you hear: (1) suspected bloat—unproductive retching, tight/distended abdomen, restlessness, collapse—this is an emergency and the dog should go to the nearest ER now; (2) sudden severe back/neck pain, inability to walk or stand, hind‑limb weakness, or loss of bladder/bowel control—treat as an emergency for possible spinal cord compression; (3) red, very painful or suddenly enlarged eye, or sudden vision loss—this is an ophthalmic emergency; (4) seizure lasting >5 minutes, repeated seizures in 24 hours, or first‑ever seizure—go to emergency care; (5) in young PBGVs, fever with marked neck pain/stiffness or pronounced spinal pain (“PBGV pain syndrome”/SRMA concern)—schedule same‑day clinician evaluation, and if pain is severe or neurologic deficits are present, treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: Thank you for calling—based on what you’ve described, this may require urgent veterinary attention. If there is nonproductive retching with a tight belly, sudden inability to walk, severe neck/back pain, a red/painful or enlarged eye, or a seizure over five minutes (or multiple today), please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now. For a young PBGV with fever and pronounced neck stiffness/pain, we will arrange a same‑day clinician exam; if your dog worsens or can’t walk, treat it as an emergency and come straight in or go to ER. I can provide directions and call ahead to alert the team.