Is Your Dachshund Sick? by Richard Cussons

You feel that you have been taking good care of your Dachshund since the day he entered your door. But despite your best efforts to ensure his health, sickness will always find its way to invade your dog's life. Some of these illnesses are common and curable. But these common and curable illnesses can be the way to serious and dangerous disease if left untreated at the right time.

A Dachshund is characterized with long spinal column and short rib cage. That is the reason why they are more prone to health problems related to spine. They are more likely to suffer intervertebral disk disease, one of the most common canine back problems affecting Dachshund dogs. Intervertebral disk disease occurs when the jelly like in the inner layer of the disk protrudes through the fibrous outer layer into the vertebral canal and presses on the spinal cord.

This intervertebral disk disease comes in three types. Type 1, usually appears in dogs three to six years of age. In this type, the rupture in the vertebral canal may increase because the disks of dogs become more like cartilage than fibrous tissue. Type 11 is just a partial protrusion and appears in dogs six to ten years of age. Type 111 is usually rare but causes damage the most. In this type, the disc herniates severally and may actually enter the spinal cord and cause severe damage. This damage may be so severe and incurable and may require euthanasia.

A dachshund suffering from this disease may feel pain in the region of the neck and weakness or paralysis in the limbs. IVDD can be treated through anti inflammatory medication and in surgery in serious cases to relieve the spinal cord. Other treatments include hydrotherapy, massage and herbal homeopathic treatments.

Diabetes is another disease that may affect your Dachshund. Diabetes is common to dogs especially to obese ones. A dachshund with diabetes may want to drink more and urinate more. Other symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration and cataract formation. Diabetes left untreated may result to ketotic and additional symptoms such as depression, weakness, vomiting and rapid breathing may be experienced.

Canine diabetes is treated through careful diet and insulin therapy, just like in humans. Foods rich in fiber and carbohydrates are recommended to dogs with diabetes.

Some Dachshunds are found out to have urolithiasis, a disease caused by excessive amount of crystals in the urinary tract. Symptoms of this disease include frequent urination, bloody and dribbling urine, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and pain. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations on treatment when your dog has any of these symptoms.

Selective breeding plays an important role in prevention of these diseases. Dogs with any of these diseases should not be included in breeding to prevent dogs from acquiring disease.

About The Author

Richard Cussons loves to write articles especially topics related to dogs. Want to get a Dachshund? Visit http://www.dachshundsavvy.com to know more about dachshund dog breed.