Frequent Diseases in Dachshunds
The title 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.
However, there are some conditions that occur more frequently in Dachshunds than other breeds.
Problems with 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 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 sometimes diabetes. Special lab tests are conducted to measure cortisol and the adrenal glands capability to produce cortisol. Several drugs are can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. 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 hypoadrenocorticism (low cortisol) 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 glucose (blood sugar). 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. 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. There is no cure or treatment for PRA unfortunately. Other eye diseases that can affect Doxies are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help detect 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 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. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. The majority of Dachshunds 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. 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 sooner 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 them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Spinal surgery for herniated discs is very expensive and I have had the uneasy task of performing euthanasia on several Dachshunds because the owner’s were unable to pay for the surgery. 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, resuling 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. 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. Preventive health checks, proper diets, 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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