Dachshund health problems

Dachshunds are little dogs with big personalities!

There are six types of Dachshunds, including smooth haired, long haired, and wire haired dogs of standard and miniature sizes. Generally, Dachshunds are intelligent, loyal, and mischievous dogs who enjoy endless games of fetch and voicing their opinions.

Your Dachshund’s grooming needs will depend on the type of coat they have, with those who are long haired and wire haired requiring more grooming than short haired Dachshunds.

Explore our Dachshund breed guide for more information about this delightful breed!

Potential health conditions linked to the Dachshund breed

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in the Dachshund breed, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by Dachshunds. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Dachshund for more information.  

Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.   

Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Heart disease

Heart disease is commonly seen in dog breeds like the Dachshund. However, the term ‘heart disease’ doesn’t just describe one condition – instead, it includes many diseases of the heart wall muscle, e.g. mitral valve disease (MVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Dachshunds may not show any signs of illness during the early stages of heart disease, though as it progresses, they could have the following symptoms:

• Coughing (especially a low-grade cough at rest).
• Excessive panting and/or breathing difficulties.
• Lethargy (lack of energy).
• Sudden weight loss.
• Swollen stomach.

Once a vet has diagnosed your Dachshund as having heart disease, they will continue to monitor your dog’s condition through regular check-ups and provide treatment, if needed.

Although there’s no cure for heart disease in dogs, several forms of the condition can be treated using medication to slow its progression and reduce symptoms. In some cases, dogs who suffer from heart disease could require surgery at a specialist veterinary centre.

Dry eye

Tears are essential for keeping your Dachshund’s eyes healthy. Dry eye is caused by a lack of tear production and can develop in one eye or both eyes.

While many different illnesses (including diabetes and hypothyroidism) might cause this condition, dry eye is also known to lead to other conditions (like conjunctivitis, eye ulcers, and eye loss).

Symptoms of dry eye in Dachshunds can include:

• A thick, yellow discharge.
• Red, itchy, or inflamed eyes.
• Repeated rubbing or pawing at their eyes or face.
• Signs of being in pain, e.g. uncharacteristic irritability.
• Eyes that are cloudy or lack shine.

To treat dry eye in your Dachshund, a vet could prescribe treatments such as a course of hourly eye drops to replace their tears, medicated eye ointment, or surgery.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

Intervertebral disc disease, also known as ‘IVDD’, is a spinal disease commonly seen in dogs. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing IVDD, including the Dachshund.

Each of your Dachshund’s intervertebral discs have a tough, fibrous outer surrounding a soft, gel-like inner and act as cushioning between their vertebrae (bones of their spine). When these intervertebral discs deteriorate or become damaged, they’ll harden – which means their capacity for shock absorption will lessen and they’ll be at risk of slipping out of place.

Dachshunds with IVDD experience pain in their back and/or neck, alongside other symptoms like yelping, dragging their feet, difficulty jumping onto furniture/using the stairs, wobbliness, and weakness in their legs.

Vets can usually diagnose IVDD in Dachshunds using:

• MRI and/or CT scans.
• X-rays.
• Blood tests.

Depending on the severity of a Dachshund’s IVDD, vets tend to treat the condition with pain relief, anti-inflammatory medication, strict rest, and surgery.