Dachshund Health

Not all Dachshunds will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

  • Intervertebral Disc Disease: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition affecting the intervertebral discs, the cushions between the vertebrae in the spine, which can cause pain, weakness, and paralysis in dogs.
  • Epilepsy: Dachshunds are prone to having epileptic seizes. In dogs that are affected, it’s thought that the condition is either genetic or brought about as the result of a fall or a hard blow to the head. If your Dachshund has seizures, take him to your vet to determine what treatment is appropriate. In many cases, epilepsy can be controlled with medication.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Just don’t make it a habit to move the furniture around. Reputable breeders have their dogs’ eyes certified annually by a veterinary ophthalmologist and do not breed dogs with this disease. A DNA test for PRA is available for miniature longhaired Dachshunds.
  • Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also called Bloat or Torsion, is a life-threatening condition that most often affects large dogs, but because of their deep chests, it also can affect Dachshunds. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists (torsion). The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock. This is a medical emergency. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. Getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible is important. There is some indication that a tendency toward GDV is inherited.
  • Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism): This condition occurs when the body produces too much cortisol hormone. It can be due to an imbalance in the pituitary gland or in the adrenal gland, or it can occur when a dog has too much cortisol from other conditions. The most common signs are excess urination and excess drinking. If your Dachshund exhibits these signs, take him to the veterinarian. There are treatments to help with this disease from the removal of a gland to medications.
  • Canine Diabetes Mellitus (DM): Diabetes is occasionally seen in Dachshunds, particularly if they’re overweight. Diabetes can be treated with diet and daily insulin injections. Signs include excessive urination and thirst, and weight loss despite a ravenous appetite
  • Deafness: Hearing loss isn’t common in the breed, but it can occur in double-dapple Dachshunds. Ask if the puppy and its parents were BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) tested for hearing loss. This is not available in all areas but is available at most large specialty practices and teaching hospitals at veterinary schools. It can be done any time after the puppy is five weeks old.
  • Syringomyelia (SM): A severe, chronic condition that affects the spinal cord. When fluid-filled cavities or cysts — known as syrinxes — form within the central canal of the spinal cord, they can expand and cause damage to the spinal cord’s tissue. This process can lead to a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and partial paralysis. The condition is common in certain toy breeds but can affect any dog.

Breeders may provide health clearances for dogs, but these are not issued to dogs younger than two years of age. That’s because some health problems don’t appear until a dog matures. For this reason, it’s often recommended that dogs not be bred until they are two or three years old. Regardless of how healthy your dog is when bringing them home, you should prepare for any issues that may arise throughout their life. A pet insurance plan can help you prepare for your dog’s veterinary needs.

Dachshund Care

Dachshunds have a lot of stamina and energy. They love to take a walk or play outdoors with other dogs, and they like to hunt and dig. They are also active inside the house and can do well in small living quarters so long as they get a moderate amount of daily exercise. Two half-mile walks a day (about 10 minutes each) is about right. Occasionally, when time is short, a game of fetch will meet their need for activity.

They’re not suited to living outdoors or in a kennel but should live in the home. Dachshunds can injure their backs jumping on and off furniture, so get a ramp or steps and teach them to use it if they want up on the sofa or bed. When you hold a Dachshund, always be careful to support his rear and his chest. Dachshunds can learn quickly if properly motivated. Use positive reinforcements such as food rewards or a favorite toy to hold their attention, and keep training sessions short.

The Dachshund will quickly become bored if made to repeat the same exercise over and over, so make obedience practice fun and interesting. Housetraining can sometimes be a problem with this breed. A Dachshund may not see the need to eliminate outside. Patience and consistency are musts. Crate training helps as well. Beyond housetraining, crate training is a way to ensure that your Dachshund doesn’t get into things he shouldn’t. Like every dog, Dachshunds can be as destructive as puppies.

Crate training at a young age will also help your Dachshund accept confinement if he ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. Never stick your Dachshund in a crate all day long, however. It’s not a jail, and he shouldn’t spend more than a few hours in it except when he’s sleeping at night. Dachshunds are people dogs, and they aren’t meant to spend their lives locked up in a crate or kennel. The Dachshund excels as a watchdog, but he can be noisy. Minis, in particular, can be happy. Remember if your Dachshund will be living in an apartment or condo community.

Not all Beagles will develop every listed disease, but it’s essential to be aware of these conditions if you consider this breed.

  • Hip Dysplasia: An inherited condition where the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint, leading to pain and lameness. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose hip dysplasia, and affected dogs should not be bred.
  • Cherry Eye: A condition where the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and needs removal.
  • Glaucoma: An eye disease that causes abnormally high eye pressure, leading to vision loss and blindness. It can be hereditary or secondary to other factors.
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye disorder causing blindness due to the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
  • Distichiasis: Extra eyelashes grow on the oil gland in the eye, causing irritation and squinting. Surgical removal is required.
  • Epilepsy: A neurological condition leading to seizures, which can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment.
  • Hypothyroidism: A disorder of the thyroid gland treatable with medication and diet.
  • Patellar Luxation: The patella is misaligned, causing lameness and potential arthritis. Severity can vary, and surgery may be needed for severe cases.
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition affecting the intervertebral discs, the cushions between the vertebrae in the spine, which can cause pain, weakness, and paralysis in dogs.
  • Abscesses in dogs: An abscess in dogs is a localized pocket of pus that forms due to infection, typically caused by bacteria. It occurs when the body responds to infection by isolating the bacteria and surrounding tissues, creating a collection of pus. Abscesses are often painful, swollen, and warm to the touch.

When purchasing a Beagle puppy, ensure the breeder provides health clearances for both parents, including tests for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, thrombopathia, and normal eyes certified by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). Preparing for potential veterinary needs throughout your dog’s life is wise, and a pet insurance plan can help you stay ready.