The dachshund, also called the dachshund or sausage dog, is a breed of German origin that has existed for around a century. It appeared for the first time after the crossing of 3 different breeds, and was used to hunt badgers, since due to its peculiar appearance it could easily access burrows.
As with other breeds, there are certain common diseases in Dachshunds, which are usually inherited. If you have one of these small animals at home or are thinking of adopting one, here is an article about their most frequent he alth problems.
Invertebral Disc Disease (IDD)
The elongated appearance of the dachshund's body is what gives it its nickname of dachshund. However, this characteristic that makes it so peculiar is also a problem for it, since many specimens suffer from herniated discs, or the so-called invertebral disc disease. This disorder causes extremely intense pain to the dog, produced by the very conformation of its body: having an elongated spine with too short legs, strong pressure is caused on the discs. Performing the relevant X-ray in the face of the dog's discomfort will reveal that one or more of these discs have moved from their original place.
Simple actions like jumping or climbing a ladder become very painful. Many dachshunds end up needing corrective surgery, and even the use of a special wheelchair for dogs, whose use is usually prescribed for life.
Some experts relate this problem to the sedentary lifestyle that dachshunds experience in modern life, where they usually live in apartments with little space for perform physical activities. However, there are no specific studies in this regard. Despite this, it is true that an inactive life would bring your dachshund not only this, but also other he alth problems.
Acanthosis nigricans
This is a skin disease which, from what has been shown so far, affects only to the dachshund breed It consists of the appearance of grayish and thick wounds, similar to warts, which extend to the dog's armpits and perianal area. This type of acanthosis affects dachshunds when they are puppies or young.
The problem lies not only in the appearance of the dog's skin, but also in the fact that this thickening is accompanied by an infection, scaling and pus. Although there are treatments for the disease, which include everything from hygiene products for oily mantle to medications, when a dog contracts it it is for life, as a cure has not yet been discovered.
Hypothyroidism
This is a disease that usually affects dachshunds when they are over 5 years old, characterized by a disproportionate increase in the production of thyroid hormoneThis results in heart problems and can even cause diabetes.
Some ways to detect hypothyroidism in dogs is if you notice that your dog begins to gain weight uncontrollably, suffers sudden mood swings that lead him to behave violently, or is indifferent and taciturn when faced with situations that previously provoked a lot of emotion.
Eye disorders
The Dachshund is prone to vision-related problems, and some of these conditions run in families. Among them it is possible to mention the cataracts, which is the appearance of a whitish membrane on the lens, preventing vision. Also very common is glaucoma, which is a sudden increase in eye pressure, which can cause total blindness in many dachshunds, so which must be detected in time.
The Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, is another of the most common problems of dachshunds. As its name suggests, the disease progresses gradually, characterized by a decrease in vision that, in the long run, prevents the dog from being able to see at night or in situations with low light, which is called night blindness.
Epilepsy
This is another hereditary disease of the dachshund breed. It is a neurological disorder that causes uncontrolled convulsions throughout the body. The episodes can be a few seconds or a few minutes, and they appear without warning or anything that seems to cause them.
The danger of epilepsy is the risk of brain damage or injury to any organ during the shocks of each episode. The disease is controlled with drugs that must be administered throughout life.
Von Willebrand Disease
Also of hereditary origin, it is a disease that puts the life of the dachshund at serious risk, since it involves great blood loss Almost any wound can cause significant bleeding, from an injury to the gums to childbirth, so the dog must be monitored closely to avoid life-threatening accidents.
Dachshund skin diseases
Especially the short-haired dachshund, it tends to present a series of skin diseases. In general, the common ones in this breed are demodectic mange, seborrheic dermatitis and cutaneous asthenia The first one differs from the other types of mange in that it is localized and, therefore, present specific areas with hair loss. Seborrheic dermatitis, meanwhile, can be hereditary and is characterized by flaking and intense itching on the animal's skin.
Cutaneous asthenia, also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is the most serious of the three pathologies. It is a hereditary disease that causes defects in the collagen structure and, therefore, affects the connective tissue of the body. This causes the skin of the sick animal to show abnormal elasticity, which results in the presence of hanging folds. Likewise, it is much more fragile than usual and can tear very easily.
Other common dachshund diseases
Although the diseases mentioned represent the most common problems of dachshunds, there are others that also tend to affect this breed. According to the University of Prince Edward Island (Universiti of Prince Edward Island)[1] has developed a list of all these pathologies through study, research and consensus between veterinarians.
- Cleft palate
- Corneal dystrophy
- Cryptorchidism
- Deafness
- Dermoids
- Follicular dysplasias
- Histiocytoma
- Cushing's syndrome
- Ocular dysgenesis
- Mitral valve dysplasia
- Optic nerve hypoplasia
- Chronic Superficial Keratitis
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency
- Urolithiasis
- Elbow dysplasia
