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

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 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 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. 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 occur in all breeds of dogs, also.

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 blood sugar (glucose). The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for cortisone injections and fluid therapy to correct the imbalances. Being as the sudden collapse resembles 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. Treatment of Addison’s disease is life-long treatment with prednisone (cortisone) and electrolytes.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. There is no cure or treatment for PRA unfortunately. Other eye diseases that can affect Doxies 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 Dachshunds, this material some times calcifies, or hardens, 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. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. Most of the Doxies 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 greater 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 Dachshunds, 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, 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 face and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions do occur with any dog, so it is wise to observe your pet for a few hours after receiving. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh 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 your Doxie live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.