In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds The overwhelming majority are born healthy and live long, mostly 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.
Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.
Adrenal Gland Malfunction
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 hair loss, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions and sometimes diabetes. Special lab tests are conducted to measure cortisol and the adrenal glands capability to produce cortisol. Decreasing the level of cortisol can be achieved by several drugs. On occasion, surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease can affect other breeds of dogs as well.
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 blood sugar (glucose) 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. Addison’s disease is the most difficult to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’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 deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. The deterioration leads to gradual vision loss and eventual 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. Unfortunately, there is currently 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 identification 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 provides a cushion between the bones of the spine (back) and is normally gelatinous. In Doxies, this material sometimes hardens, or calcifies, and sometimes ruptures. The herniated disc causes inflammation and swelling around the spinal cord and nerves. 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 Doxies with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes used to help relieve the pain with varying success. With 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 faster the surgery is performed, the greater 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. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients that were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs over time. 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 occasional hives. Vaccine reactions do occur with any dog, so it is wise to observe your pet for a few hours after receiving. 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. 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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