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The sight of a dachshund is hard to miss, with its long cylindrical body resembling the shape of a sausage. Unfortunately, due to its body structure, with long backs and short legs that are close to the ground, it is said to be susceptible to genetically inherited breed health issues.
If you are thinking of having one or already a miniature dachshund owner, it is very important to have an overview understanding of potential miniature dachshund health problems for early preventive measures. Keep your mini dachshund vibrant and happy by learning what to look out for.
Spinal problems in miniature dachshunds
One of the common predisposed health complications amongst dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Due to its longer-shaped back and short ribcage, as high as 25 per cent of dachshunds are likely to develop this condition. Regardless of gender, about 80 per cent of the cases usually occurs in between the ages of three and seven.
What is intervertebral disc disease? This disease occurs when the discs located in between the vertebra abnormally grow, which often leads to ruptured or misplacement of bones. Watch out for the following clinical signs:
- Any visible signs of pain
- Reluctance in climbing and jumping on steps or stairs
- Reluctance to lower its head, especially when eating and looking upwards
- Stiff neck, back, and/or abdomen
- Panting for no apparent reason
- Hunched stance
Photo Credit: Flickr
Knee problems in miniature dachshunds
Dachshunds are naturally born with short legs and elongated bodies, which subjected their knees to a significant level of stress. The same health issues also affect other small breeds, such as the basset hounds and toy poodles. This often leads to a condition called patellar luxation or loose knees.
This occurs when the kneecap dislocates in and out from the muscle and bone plates. Affected dogs are seen limping, which is one of the signs. This is one of the common miniature dachshund health problems.
Bone problems in miniature dachshunds
Osteogenesis imperfecta or the brittle bone disease is another common miniature dachshund health problem observed in the breed, more particularly in wire-haired dachshunds.
This condition occurs when there are complications with the dog’s natural ability to manufacture a collagen protein that enables elasticity in bones.
Watch out for the following clinical signs:
- Problems with the dog’s bone density
- Joint pain
- Fractures in bone and teeth
Further, this condition is genetically inherited in dachshunds. As such, affected dogs should not be bred to prevent producing offspring with high risks of the said disorder.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Eye problems in miniature dachshunds
Dachshunds are prone to a number of inherited eye diseases. These diseases include:
- Cataracts – when opacity can be observed in the eye lens.
- Optic nerve hypoplasia – occurs when the optic nerve from the eye to the brain is found too small.
- Persistent pupillary membranes – refers to the membrane abnormality around the iris.
- Generalised progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA) – manifests when there are complications with the photoreceptors in the retina, which causes blurry vision and may eventually lead to blindness in affected dogs.
There are many factors that may cause eye problems in miniature dachshunds, which include genetic defects or environmental influences (infection, trauma, tumour, or metabolism defects such as diabetes mellitus).
Heart problems in miniature dachshunds
Mini dachshunds may have healthy hearts; however, they are still likely to develop or be affected with congenital heart diseases. There are three common congenital heart diseases: patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), subaortic stenosis (SAS), and pulmonic stenosis (PS).
On average, dachshunds are likely to be affected by the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Canines affected with the PDA have overloaded blood volume in the heart.
Such heart cases can be corrected through surgical operations. However, recognising the signs is always a challenge. In most cases, the condition is not apparent until it becomes worse.
Obesity in mini dachshunds
Both dachshunds and miniature dachshunds are likely to suffer from obesity and weight problems. As such, it is crucial for owners to provide a well-balanced diet and a regular exercise to keep your pooch fit. Keep your little pooch in check with the following signs that indicate obesity:
- You cannot feel his ribs.
It is best to occasionally check and feel your mini’s ribs by running your hand under their body. Naturally, dachshunds will have a bit of extra skin, making those ribs invisible to the eye. However, one should be able to feel them just by stroking. - Your doxie is having a hard time moving around.
Observe your mini dachshund’s level of activity. An obese pooch tends to lie down a lot more often because it takes too much effort to carry extra pounds on their short legs.
Learning common miniature dachshund health issues helps you take early preventive measures. Remember to take your furry friend to your vet once you notice any signs that might indicate health conditions.
Want to learn more about this wonderful breed, read the Miniature Dachshund breed information.
