Dachshunds are bright, loyal and courageous. Don’t be fooled by their size, those little legs have stamina whilst hunting - a trait that can also translate into a lot of running and barking! Despite occasionally showing their stubborn side (mostly when it is raining), you can't help but fall in love with this breed.
But due to their size and stature they are prone to a few conditions that owners should be aware of to ensure the best health for the little sausage dog.
Back problems are extremely common in Dachshunds, due to their long backs and short legs, they are 10 x more likely to develop IVDD. IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs that sit between your spinal vertebrae can either bulge or burst, compressing the spinal cord. This can cause pain, nerve damage and even paralysis.
Common clinical signs include:
It is essential to provide immediate pain relief in these cases, therefore we suggest a direct veterinary examination to determine the extent of the injury. Some cases can be managed conservatively, with anti-inflammatory medication and strict crate rest. However, in more severe cases they may warrant a neurology referral, MRI scan and possible spinal surgery to address the affected discs.
Being a breed prone to acute inflammation and back pain, Vetsy could be the ideal solution to manage the conservative cases, via a video assessment we can review your dogs gait and posture, and provide an ongoing prescription of anti-inflammatory medication and pain relief.
Obesity can affect any breed of dog, however Dachshund owners should be extra vigilant with maintaining a healthy weight, as any additional weight on those short legs, can add more strain to the back, which may potentially exacerbate conditions such as IVDD.
Regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet are key, however should you need advice on weight management Vetsy can help formulate a diet plan that will help shift those extra pounds.
Cushing’s disease is a condition where the body produces too much cortisol steroid hormone. It is a fairly common condition in middle aged and older dogs, and the Dachshund breed is over represented.
Common clinical signs include:
Diagnosis is often made on a series of blood tests and urine samples. Treatment depends on the type of Cushing’s your dog has, but medical management (oral tablets) can be used in most cases. Surgery is considered for some and requires referral to be performed by a specialist surgeon.
Sadly, Cushing’s disease cannot be cured, therefore the management is lifelong and can be costly. Fortunately, Vetsy is here to offer you low-cost, flexible and convenient pet care, where we can help by updating prescriptions and significantly reducing the cost of ongoing medication.
This is a painful condition where the hip “ball and socket” do not fit together properly, causing the hips to be unstable. This can be painful, and affected dogs can become stiff and eventually arthritic.
Dogs will often show signs of HD whilst growing (approximately 5-6 months old), but typical symptoms include a “bunny hopping” gait, hindlimb lameness, difficulty getting up, a wobbly swaying walk or skinny hips.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Mild forms can be managed by maintaining a lean body weight, physical therapy, joint supplements and prescriptions for pain relief. More advanced forms may require surgical correction of the affected hip joint.
We at Vetsy are able to offer you pain management, as well as long term prescriptions for those cases that progress to arthritis much later in life.
Patellar Luxation occurs when the knee cap dislocates from the knee joint, causing lameness, typically an intermittent skip or hobble, pain or reluctance to exercise. The luxation can be graded 1-4.
Grade 1 and 2 are considered mild forms, where the kneecap pops back into place by itself. They can be managed medically, with physical therapies and exercise. If diagnosed with a grade 3 or 4, the kneecap is permanently dislocated and is more likely to require surgical stabilisation.
Dogs that suffer from patellar luxation are prone to arthritis and therefore may require long term pain management, which can be provided by us.
Due to the Dachshund’s small mouths, their teeth are often overcrowded, therefore they can be prone to dental disease, including calculus build up, gingivitis or periodontitis.
Vetsy can offer plenty of tricks and tips to keep on top of dental health, including regular brushing, dental diets, dental chews and products. However, severe cases may warrant professional cleaning.
Dachshunds can suffer from numerous skin complaints causing dry, scurfy skin, hair loss (alopecia) or repeated skin infections. Common skin conditions include;
Based on medical history and video assessment, we can review each case individually, suggesting various treatment options to manage the itch and improve the overall skin and hair/coat health.
If you have any concerns or worries about your Dachshunds health book an appointment with Vetsy.
