Common Diseases in Dachshunds
In reality, there is no disease 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, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.
Adrenal Gland Malfunction
Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, 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. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. There are several drugs that can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. 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 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 too low of blood sugar (glucose) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for cortisone injections and fluid therapy to correct the imbalances. Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed 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. Regretfully, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye disease that can affect Doxies are optic nerve hypoplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, 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 is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. 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,. Most of the Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. 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 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. A few of my patients that 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 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. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.
Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Vaccinations, proper diets, preventive health checks, 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.
