Do wirehaired Dachshunds have back problems?
The average number of affected discs was more than two. Standard-sized Dachshunds were more likely to be affected, with the occurrence higher in the wirehaired variety (27.1%) than in the smooth coated (16.4%) or longhaired (9.1%) varieties.
How do I protect my dachshunds back?
Here is what you can do:
- Keep your dachshund lean and fit. Overweight dachshunds carry extra weight that ads stress on their back.
- Use a Harness instead of a collar.
- Keep your dachshund from jumping on and off furniture as this puts a lot of strain on their back.
- Limit their access to stairs.
Can a dachshund have intervertebral disc disease?
In chondrodystrophic breeds, such as the Dachshund, the intervertebral discs degenerate in a different way compared to other dog breeds.
How many calcified discs does a dachshund need?
If parents have been radiographed and they show less than 3 calcified discs at this age then their offspring may be less likely to be affected than if there are more than 4 discs. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven and it is likely that all Dachshunds are at an increased risk of IVDD compared to most other breeds. 8.
What causes pain in the spinal cord of a small breed dog?
The disc is displaced causing pain by pressing on the spinal cord. Figure 3b: Vertebral disc extrusion. In these cases, the outer layer of the disc ruptures and the disc contents are extruded into the spinal canal causing pain by pressing on the spinal cord. This is more common than protrusion in small breed dogs.
Are there any selective breeding programs for dachshunds?
Selective breeding programs based on this recommendation have been initiated in Norway, Denmark and Finland (Rohdin et al 2010). Though it is too early for evidence to have emerged to confirm that this will decrease the incidence of the disease, this seems a sensible way forward. Ideally dogs used for breeding should have no calcified discs.
What kind of back pain does a dachshund have?
Let’s pick each challenge one at a time. Intervertebral disk disease is a common condition in any “dwarf” breed of dog. However, dachshunds are much more susceptible to the disease. Namely, IVDD is a condition in the spine which results in back pain, partial loss of function in the forelimbs and hind limbs.
In chondrodystrophic breeds, such as the Dachshund, the intervertebral discs degenerate in a different way compared to other dog breeds.
If parents have been radiographed and they show less than 3 calcified discs at this age then their offspring may be less likely to be affected than if there are more than 4 discs. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven and it is likely that all Dachshunds are at an increased risk of IVDD compared to most other breeds. 8.
What to do if your dachshund has a disc herniation?
However, there are things you can do to help minimize the impact of a disc herniation: Keep your dog fit and lean. Keep your dog active. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid pressure on the neck and back. Minimize jumping.