What diseases are Dachshunds prone to?
Unsurprisingly, the main health problems that plague Dachshunds are spinal-related. Their long backs and short legs predispose them to slipped discs, which can cause complete posterial paralysis. Dachshunds are also prone to diseases such as:
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: One of the most common issues seen in Dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Research shows that the risk of IVDD in Dachshunds is 10-12 times higher than in other dog breeds. More than one-fifth of all Dachshunds show signs of the disease at some point in their life. IVDD causes a bulge or rupture in the discs between the vertebrae, which can cause pain, nerve damage, and paralysis.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. With hip dysplasia, the joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Unlike hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes: This condition causes the head of the femur (located in a dog’s hind leg) to spontaneously degenerate. Over time, this will lead to erosion of the hip joint and arthritis. A Dachshund suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes will become lame, limp while walking, and experience pain when moving the hip joint. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.
- Brittle Bone Disease: Also known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, this genetic disease impairs the normal development of collagen, which creates thin, brittle bones and teeth. A dog with brittle bone disease will be susceptible to breaks and fractures and healing will also take longer or be incomplete. There is no cure for brittle bone disease, but if you use caution and proper care with your dog, they can still have a normal life.
- Patellar luxation: Patellar luxation, where kneecaps become dislodged, is often seen in Dachshunds because their short legs change the angle of the kneecap.
- Other Health Issues: Obesity, epilepsy, urinary stones, and eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness, are also common. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, elbow, spinal, and eye tests.
If you are adopting a Dachshund, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting one of these diseases so you know what your Dachshund will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.