Dachshund Health Issues

Dachshunds are generally long-lived, and their health concerns centre on that famous long back plus a few small-dog issues. The defining problem is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the back and disc condition the breed is more prone to than almost any other, covered in depth in our dedicated back-care guide. Beyond the back, Dachshunds are prone to dental disease (common in small breeds), patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap), eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy, obesity (which worsens the back and everything else), and less commonly epilepsy and Cushing’s disease. Most Dachshunds live 12 to 16 years. The two habits that protect a Doxie’s health most are keeping it lean and protecting its spine, both entirely within an owner’s control.

It is the breed’s single most important health issue, serious enough that it has its own dedicated guide. Dachshunds are far more prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) than most breeds because of their long spine and short legs, and a significant portion of the breed experiences some form of it in their lives. It ranges from painful but manageable episodes treated with rest and medication to severe cases causing paralysis and needing emergency spinal surgery. The good news is that much of the risk is influenced by things owners control: weight, jumping, and how the dog is handled. Because this topic is so central to owning the breed, we cover prevention, early signs, and treatment fully in our Dachshund back care and IVDD guide, which every Doxie owner should read.

Like many small breeds, Dachshunds are prone to dental disease, crowded teeth, tartar buildup, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss, and it is more than a cosmetic issue. Untreated dental disease is painful, can lead to infection that affects the heart and other organs, and shortens quality of life. Small mouths mean teeth crowd and trap food, so plaque builds fast. Prevention is straightforward but must be consistent: brush the teeth regularly with dog-specific toothpaste, provide appropriate dental chews, and have your vet check the teeth at annual exams and do professional cleanings when needed. Starting a brushing routine early makes it far easier. Good dental care is one of the most underrated things you can do for a small dog’s long-term health and comfort.

Patellar luxation is a kneecap that slips out of its normal groove, common in small breeds including Dachshunds. Signs are an intermittent skip or hop in the gait, holding a back leg up briefly mid-stride, or occasional lameness that comes and goes. Mild cases often need no treatment beyond keeping the dog lean and monitoring, while more severe cases can cause pain and arthritis and may need surgical correction. It is usually diagnosed by your vet feeling the knee during an exam. As with most of the breed’s orthopaedic concerns, keeping the dog at a healthy weight reduces the stress on the joints and helps. If you notice a persistent skip or your dog favouring a back leg, have your vet assess the knees.

It varies, and the back is where it gets expensive. Routine care runs a few hundred dollars a year. Disc disease ranges from conservative management with rest and medication for a few hundred dollars to spinal surgery that runs $4,000 to $8,000 or more. Dental cleanings run a few hundred dollars and more if extractions are needed; patellar surgery a few thousand per knee. Alberta charges 5 per cent GST on vet services, with no provincial sales tax. Red Deer has capable everyday vet care and 24-hour emergency clinics locally, so an after-hours back crisis does not mean a long drive, and spinal surgery is usually referred to Calgary or Edmonton, about an hour and a half away. Because back problems can strike suddenly and cost thousands, pet insurance for a young Dachshund, commonly $35 to $70 a month, is worth serious consideration.

For this breed, yes, more than for many, and the reason is the back. Disc disease can strike suddenly and, if surgery is needed, cost thousands, which is exactly the kind of unpredictable, expensive event insurance exists for. Enrol while the dog is young and healthy, because insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, and a Dachshund adopted as an adult may already have a back or knee issue on record. Expect roughly $35 to $70 a month for a young Dachshund. Read carefully how the policy handles IVDD specifically, since some policies limit or exclude it, along with per-condition and annual limits and the reimbursement percentage. Combined with keeping the dog lean and protecting the back, insurance rounds out a sensible plan for the breed’s defining risk.

Dachshunds are long-lived, commonly 12 to 16 years, and the levers that maximise it are weight, back protection, and dental care. Keeping the dog lean is the single biggest factor, protecting the spine, knees, and heart at once, and it directly reduces the disc-disease risk that defines the breed. Protect the back specifically with ramps, no repetitive jumping, and proper lifting. Stay on top of dental care to prevent the painful, organ-affecting disease small breeds are prone to. Keep up annual vet exams and eye checks, and provide daily exercise appropriate to the back. A lean, well-managed Dachshund with a protected spine and clean teeth often stays lively and healthy well into its teens.

Usually yes, and Dachshunds age well, so an adult or senior can have many good years ahead. A reputable rescue does a vet workup before adoption and shares what it knows, including any back history, which is exactly what you want to know for this breed. Book your own wellness exam with a Red Deer vet in the first week or two to set a baseline, including a look at the back, knees, teeth, and weight, since many surrendered Dachshunds arrive overweight and slimming down protects the spine. For a senior, expect to absorb some vet costs directly, as insurers exclude pre-existing conditions. Many adopters find an adult Dachshund’s known temperament and settled energy ideal, and a rescue is honest about any back issues so you can plan the care.