6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. One look at the body shape of the dachshund, with that long back and little legs, immediately gives the impression that there is a lot of strain on the dog's spine. Dachshunds are adorable with their long backs, short legs, and floppy ears. This is ideal for a dachshund as it fits around their whole upper body and not just the neck. One of them is if your dog is in an accident or if they fall or get stepped on. Among all the ailments that might affect a dachshund, back problems are definitely ones to guard against. Kidney infection can also cause back problems in dachshunds. 6. 6 When picking up a dachshund make sure you support their back. As with humans, there are several ways that dachshunds can experience back problems. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Unfortunately, their long backs make them more prone to disc herniation, which can lead to problems ranging from minor back pain to paralysis. 4. Therefore, it is imperative to identify symptoms of pain and help prevent pain. However, most of their back problems are not from their long backs, but in fact from their short legs.Another problem is that dachshunds are prone to obesity, which is a bad combination for a back problem. Prevent them from climbing furniture and long stairs and keep their weight under control. Learn more about Intervertebral disk disease, one of the most common canine back problems effecting dachshund dogs. Intervertebral disc disease, also known as IVDD or slipped disc disease, is an inherited condition of the spine that affects about 25 percent of all Dachshunds. Obesity. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Here's what you can do to treat and prevent them, and help manage pain. ► A spinal X-ray can be helpful in confirming or ruling out this condition.► Myelography and spinal tap are other diagnostic procedures that may be conducted to detect the areas where spinal cord compression may have taken place. Dogs that are overweight are more prone to develop back problems because of the extra pressure on the spine. Dachshunds are prone to back injuries and 1 in 4 are at risk of getting IVDD. Other signs to be aware of include changes in posture, such as an arched back, an … As degeneration takes place, the inner core of the affected disc may undergo calcification, and the outer covering may weaken or rupture. There are two types of disc herniation seen in dogs: Type I and Type II. This predisposes these dogs to degeneration of the intervertebral discs. However, the Dachshund’s back can be the root of back problems and it is a part of his … Back problems are usually seen in the lower back or the neck area, which will be tender to the touch. This disease is characterized by the herniation or rupturing of any of the thoracolumbar discs that lie between mid-to-lower back. Being a chondrodystrophic breed, dachshunds are susceptible to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This may be followed by the herniation of disc material. About 25 percent of dachshunds will have some degree of disk problem. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. These cookies do not store any personal information. Dachshunds are usually healthy dogs with their lifespan on average from 14-17. There may be swelling or compression of the spinal cord. Symptoms include dark, thick skin around the dog’s armpits or groin area. Type II generally has less severe signs and symptoms. Lower back trauma can cause spinal damage. What to Know Before Buying One, Pet Tech: CPR and First Aid Training for Owners and Pet Care Professionals. Obesity and Dog Back Problems. So keeping your dachshund from overeating is a necessity along with feeding them the best dog food.If you notice your dachshund is more reluctant to jump up or moving a bit slower when getting up after sleeping this could be a sign of a dachshund back problem.Once full of energy, your dachshund may now seem to slow down and tire more easily. If you see any of the following signs, call the vet (if your Dachshund shows sign of severe pain, paralysis, or drags his back legs, don’t wait, go to an animal emergency facility immediately): Shivering, especially when combined with unusual inactivity Refusal […] While the outer covering of these discs is tough, the inner section of these discs contains a jelly-like substance. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Affected dogs experience severe pain, usually in the lower back but sometimes in the neck as well. This can be a serious condition if they bloat especially since they have a deep chest. The incidence of back problems is high in dachshunds due to their structure. Keep your dachshund safe from back injuries and other problems by preventing the things which may cause back problems. They are active, fun-loving dogs that can live a long time. Back problems and mobility issues are among some of the most common dachshund health issues. This is a medical condition where the intervertebral disc protrudes to a degree or completely prolapses, causing a level of spinal cord compression. The Dachshund's back is an important feature of this breed. The signs of herniation of the thoracolumbar discs will vary depending on the extent of herniation along with the quantity of disc material involved. Down dog (dragging/no control of back legs and bladder (worst case scenario and ideally requires immediate surgery). Dachshunds should be confined to a crate for at least six weeks and should not be allowed to move around during the recovery period. Dachshunds make the most adorable pet dogs, and if you own one or are planning to get one as your pet, you should gather as much information as possible on this breed. In case of a majority of chondrodystrophic dog breeds, signs of degeneration of discs may be present in the second year of their life. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a qualified vet. You can reduce the chances of your dog experiencing back problems by making a few basic alterations to his lifestyle and environment. This may injure the spinal cord. The symptoms of this disease include: ► Back pain► Weakness in the hind limbs► Difficulty in walking and climbing stairs► Whining when lifted► Difficulty getting up from a lying position► Reluctance to move► Hunched appearance► Unsteady gait► Paralysis► Progressive weakness in case of chronic herniation. However they do have some health issues you might to watch out for. Though they are a healthy breed that is not prone to many illnesses, they are susceptible to back problems. Weakness or uncoordinated in the back legs (more severe). Dachshunds back problems are one of the main health concerns for this breed.About 25 percent of dachshunds will have some degree of disk problem. When talking about dachshund back problems, it is usally associated with what is called "Intervertebral Disc Disease". IVDD is indicated by herniated disks in the lower back and primarily affects dogs with stunted legs. The Real Reasons Why You Should Get an Elevated Dog Bed, Smart Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Sleep in His Bed, Check Out These 4 Providers of Pet Insurance Texas, Are Snakes Good Pets? Packer, RMA, et al., “DachsLife 2015: an investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds,” Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2016. Dachshunds, in general, are a very healthy breed, however, they are prone to some spine issues that can lead to problems that go from mild back pain to very serious problems like paralysis. Restrict movements such as running and jumping off the furniture or stairs dachshunds Make sure that their bedding is soft and dry. This will help relieve or even eliminate some back problems in dogs. 5. Both standard and miniature dachshunds are prone to developing back problems due to their structure. This can cause serious pain that can be of prolonged duration and may lead to severe damage to the spine and paralysis. It is the responsibility of dog owners to take all possible measures for promoting their pet’s well-being. Shockingly, a quarter of vets incorrectly diagnosed the problem, for example saying it was muscle pain, arthritis or a stomach problem. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Dachshund is listed in the Banfield Pet Hospital as one of the top 10 breeds at … Here are the tests that may be conducted. 2. There are less dramatic early symptoms that can present with back problems in dachshunds, such as yelping out in pain when lifted or when shifting positions. However, a dachshund owner should be aware of these things or activities to avoid and maintain your dachshunds’ health. Jumping up and down can both be very bad for dachshunds, but jumping down is especially hard on … Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Dachshunds, Corgis, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese, Shih Tzus and Poodles are chondrodystrophic breeds. These provide support and allow the flexible movement of the back in all directions. The Dachshund, because of his long low body, has been nicknamed the sausage dog or wiener dog. I previously wrote an article explaining what IVDD is, how to recognize symptoms of back problems, and what you can do to help prevent them.However, IVDD is a genetic disease and it’s unlikely you can totally prevent your dog from having any back issues if they have the disease. You might want to look for these signs. You need to make sure they do not jump up and down from your couch or bed, as this can cause back problems. Hansen Type I disc degeneration in common in dachshunds. Here are a few of the common conditions effecting doxies: Many dachshund owners are already aware of this issue, but those who aren't need to learn about it. Since dachshunds have long spines, they are more prone for dachshund back problems. This loss of control, called incontinence, is a sign of a neurologic problem—damage to the spinal nerves controlling urination and defecation. How Back Problems are Caused in Dachshunds. So you will want to take some preventative measures to help their backs stay as strong as possible, starting when they are puppies. Common and can be either genetic or result from an injury their backs important... To watch out for signs of back problems and mobility issues are Among some of these discs is,... 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