Dachshund’s Common Diseases

That is a little misleading since no disease is truly common in Dachshunds The overwhelming majority are born healthy and live long, mostly 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.

Problems with the Adrenal Gland

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by the adrenal gland or by a primary tumor, 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 skin conditions, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, hair loss and occasionally diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Several drugs are can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing’s disease can occur in all breeds of dogs, also.

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

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual degeneration of the retina, the lining of the back of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. PRA is a genetic trait and because it often does not show up until the dog is older, the dog may have already been bred and passed the condition to the puppies. Regretfully, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are cataracts, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help early detection of these eye-disorders.

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 is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Doxies, this material sometimes hardens, or calcifies, and sometimes ruptures. The protruding disc material causes inflammation, swelling and pressure on the nerves coming from the spinal cord and sometimes presses on the spinal 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. Most of the Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. Immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs when there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis. The faster the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatment is being tested that uses laser heat to fuse the disc material in the spine to prevent the rupture. Being as this is such a common problem in the Dachshund, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. Over time, a few of my patients there were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs. It is impossible 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. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and sometimes hives. Occasional vaccine reactions can occur with any dog so it is always a good idea to observe your pet for a few hours after their shots. Improvements in vaccine technology have decreased the side effects and the benefits of preventing disease outweighs the risks.

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