The title is a little misleading since no disease is truly common in Dachshunds. Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.
Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.
Problems with 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 a pot-bellied appearance, excessive drinking and urination, skin conditions, hair loss and occasionally diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Cortisol levels can be decreased by several different drugs. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing's disease can affect other breeds of dogs as well.
The opposite condition is called Addison's disease or hypoadrenocorticsim (low cortisol). Whereas, Cushing's takes some time to present itself, Addison's disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to to low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. 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. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison's disease.
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. PRA is a genetic trait and because it often does not show up until the dog is older, the dog may have already been bred and passed the condition to the puppies. Regretfully, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) 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. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. If there is 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 treatments are being tested using laser needles to fuse the disc material to try and prevent the herniation. Being as this is such a common problem in them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Because surgery to repair the herniated disc is expensive, euthanasia is sometimes the option for the paralyzed pet. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.
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 face and muzzle and sometimes 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.
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 your Doxie live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.
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