Dachshund Dog Health Concerns

The Dachshund is prone to the following major health conditions:

Invertebral Disc Disease - Intervertebral disc disease is a premature hardening of the center of the disc, and weakening of the outer layer of the disc that occurs in chondrodystrophic dogs such as dachshunds. As the outer layer of the disc ruptures, the inner material is displaced upwards against the spinal cord. This herniated disc material injures the spinal cord and results in cord swelling and compression. Consequentially, the nerves within the spinal cord traveling to the legs and urinary bladder become damaged. This in turn results in loss of limb function that can range from weakness to paralysis, and loss of bladder control.

The Dachshund is prone to the following minor health conditions:

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) - Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is the decreased tear production of the eye causing a dry eye and damage to the cornea.

The Dachshund occasionally has problems with the following health conditions:

Diabetes - Deficiency in insulin production or utilization of insulin causing glucose to be used abnormally.

Seizures - Seizures manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, and convulsions.

Patellar Luxation - Patellar Luxation is the abnormal shallow groove in the knee sot hat the knee cap slips n and out of the position, cuasing lameness. Patellar Luxation is most common in small dogs.

Gastric Torsion - Gastric Torsion is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. It is also commonly referred to as bloat, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) when the stomach is also twisted.

Deafness - Deafness is the inability to hear in either one or both ears.

Cushings - Cushings Disease is excessive secretion of cortisol from the adrenal gland.