Choosing a Dachshund

Choosing a Dachshund

By: Dr. B. Sweeney


Health Concerns

  • Because of the long body, short legs and hereditary, dachshunds are predisposed to unusual stresses on their intervertebral disks and subsequent back problems. They may develop a ruptured or prolapsed disk.

  • Cataracts result when the lens of the eye is no longer transparent and can result in blindness.

  • Congenital Deafness present at birth.

  • Atlantoaxial subluxation is a condition in which the first two cervical (neck) vertebrae are not firmly attached. Dogs are born without ligament support to their atlantoaxial joint,

  • Pyoderma refers to deep skin infections.

  • Cryptorchidism results when only one testicle descends into the scrotum and the other testicle remains in the abdomen.

  • Diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas that results in inadequate amounts of insulin being secreted.


  • Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by seizures.

  • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a disease syndrome seen in dogs, characterized by the acute (sudden) onset of bloody diarrhea, usually explosive.

  • Malassezia dermatitis - is a yeast infection of the skin caused by Malassezia pachydermatitis.

  • Urolithiasis is a condition affecting the urinary tract resulting in the formation of bladder stones.

  • Interdigital dermatitis, also known as pododermatitis, is an inflammation of the paws involving the feet and nails.

  • Food allergy can occur in some pets causing skin lesions secondary to some food ingredients.

  • Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) is a congenital birth defect caused by a blood vessel that normally closes after birth, but remains open resulting in the passage of extra volumes of blood into the lungs.

  • Anal sac adenocarcinoma is a tumor arising from the anal glands.

  • Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that develops when the pressure within the eye increases which can lead to blindness.

  • Lipomas are benign fatty tumors of the subcutaneous tissue.

  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Distichiasis is a condition in which there is growth of extra eyelashes from the glands of the upper or lower eyelid.

  • Progressive retinal degeneration (PRD) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition can lead to blindness.

    Dachshunds are also prone to hair loss, cleft palate, Cushing's disease, underactive thyroid gland, liver shunts and mast cell tumors.

    In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported:

  • Pannus is a disease of the eye resulting in inflammation of the eye.

  • Sick sinus syndrome - is a disease that causes an abnormal heart rhythm.

  • Narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness, lethargy, or brief periods of collapse and unconsciousness that resolve spontaneously.


    Life Span

    The average lifespan of a dachshund is 15 to 18 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles
    • Related Articles
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    Advertisement
    Advertisement