The Dog Site

In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.

However, there are some conditions that occur more frequently in Dachshunds than other breeds.

Adrenal Gland Malfunction

One common disease of the adrenal gland is hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by the adrenal gland or 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 a pot-bellied appearance, excessive drinking and urination, skin conditions, hair loss and occasionally diabetes. Special lab tests are conducted to measure cortisol and the adrenal glands capability to produce cortisol. Several different drugs 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 is also found in other breeds of dogs.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticsim (low cortisol). Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. 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 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 gradual degeneration of the retina, the lining of the back of the eye. This  results in slow vision loss and eventual blindness. PRA is a genetic trait, and since it is a slow, progressive disease,  these dogs are sometimes bred before the disease is diagnosed, thus perpetuating the disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, 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 materials sometimes calcifies, or hardens, 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. Early signs of a herniated disc are pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and sometimes total paralysis or the rear legs,. The majority of them with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. If there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatments are being tested using laser needles to fuse the disc material to try and prevent the herniation. Because this is such a common problem in the Dachshund, 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. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. 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 fance and occasional 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.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help them live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

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