Puppy Care

In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Some minor health issues arise for nearly every dog at some point, even those who receive early vaccinations and excellent life-long care.

Nevertheless, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

One common disease of the adrenal gland is hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions, hair loss and occasionally diabetes. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. Decreasing the level of cortisol can be achieved by several drugs. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease can affect other breeds of dogs as well.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of blood sugar (glucose) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian to correct the imbalances with fluid therapy and cortisone injections. Addison’s  is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are necessary to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. This  results in slow vision loss and eventual blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. Regretfully, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye disease that can affect Doxies are optic nerve hypoplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help identify these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine) and is normally gelatinous. In Dachshunds, this material sometimes hardens, or calcifies, and sometimes ruptures. The disc protrusion causes pain and swelling around the nerves coming out of the spinal cord and sometimes compresses the cord itself. A herniated disc starts with back pain or a reluctance to jump, and can progress to partial or even total paralysis of the back legs. The majority of them with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes used to help relieve the pain with varying success. When total paralysis is due to a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The faster the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Being as this is such a common problem in them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Because surgery to repair the herniated disc is expensive, euthanasia is sometimes the option for the paralyzed pet. Over time, a few of my patients there were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs. There is no way to predict which dogs will recover without the surgery.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the muzzle and face and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions can occur in any dog, so it always best to watch your pet for a few hours after a health check. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

With good health care, Dachshunds can lead a long and healthy life. Vaccinations, proper diets, preventive health checks, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.