Frequent Diseases in Dachshunds |

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Frequent Diseases in Dachshunds

By Dog Lover | May 10, 2009

That 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.

Nevertheless, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. 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 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. 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 occur in all breeds of dogs, also.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, 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 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 necessary 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 gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. This results in slow vision loss and eventual 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. Regretfully, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are cataracts, glaucoma, 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 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 swelling and pain around the spinal cord and the nerves coming out from the spinal canal. A herniated disc starts with back pain or a reluctance to jump, and can progress to partial or even total paralysis of the back legs. Most of the Dachshunds 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. 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 preformed, 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. Because this is such a common problem in Doxies, 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. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and occasional hives. Occasional vaccine reactions can occur with any dog so it is always a good idea to observe your pet for a few hours after their shots. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh 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 your Doxie live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.