In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively 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, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.

Diseases of 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 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 excessive drinking and urination, skin conditions, 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. Decreasing the level of cortisol can be achieved by several drugs. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is not limited to Dachshunds and can be found in other breeds, too.

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. Addison’s  is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’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. 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 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 Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. 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. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. When total paralysis is caused from a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restor 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. Because 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. Over time, a few of my patients there were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs. 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. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the muzzle and face and occasional 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.