Scary dachsie backs
I was just reading a post by Wendy on her Daisy, and wanted to see if anyone has some feedback for me on back problems. This is my very first dachshund and my husband and I researched the breed like it was a car before purchasing, we saw his mom and dad, talked to his breeder, and visited him every other wk until we could get him! In spite of our best efforts, we noticed Frodo limping last week, checked all paws, pads, pulled out the vet er book, palpated everywhere but couldn’t find anything until we tried lying him on his side then he whimpered, the vet said that there was a narrowing in T12 but it was a very mild case. They discouraged surgery at this time but offered no hope for an optimistic future. I am frustrated because I’m not really sure if/how we can avoid this in the future or how to help him! He’s now earned the nickname Prince Frodo as we are carrying him around everywhere! we’ve always known the danger so we never let him jump much, all of our furniture is very low w/ steps in front. The night we took him to the vet, I came home at 2am and took my bed apart and now we sleep with the matress on the floor…. We took him to a wonderful kenneling service for a week of r&r, seems to be doing better, but I find myself constantly thinking he’s limping, I’m terrified this will happen again! Can anyone offer an advice for the future? Are all dachshunds just guaranteed to have back surgery? I constantly worry that he’s in pain, and he tries to play and run but I try to keep it low key… In spite of all my research, love, sqeakers, and blankets I feel like I’ve done something wrong!
so frustrating!! (doggie yawn)
Thanks for any feedback,
kelly
March 25, 2008 @ 7:48 am
First of all, NO not all dachies have to have back surgery. In fact mine do agility with jumping and leaping and crawling. My vet told me that being active was better than wrapping them in bubble wrap and hoping for the best.
Remington Steele, a 7.5 lb mini dachie has had difficulties with his back twice. Both times he was put on crate rest for two weeks, both times it was not due to agility, in fact now that he is in agility we have not had any problems. Keeping their weight down and keeping them in shape will help them greatly.
There are exercises that you can do to help keep the back muscles strong. An exercise video that can help is called Get On The Ball you can get it from CLEAN RUN http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1206&ParentCat=344
Although it is true that some dachies, no matter what you do need surgery.
Talk to your vet and do as much research as you can on Intervertebral Degenerative Disc Disease (IVDD). There is a lot of information on the internet. If you live in an area that you can shop around for vets, you may want to try and find one that is experienced with IVDD and dachies.
March 25, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
First of all congratulations on your new dachsie. You have not done anything wrong. How many new human Moms check to see if their new baby is still breathing.
We all worry about doxie backs. There is lots of study and research on this issue. You can try and try and try to be careful and supervise but it can still happen. I have had 3 dachsie now, my current baby is 14. Never a sign of any back problems - but we have had a case of life threatening HGE. I am not a Vet nor any expert.
Just like with people, future health is impossible to predict. Keep your dachsies weight down. No jumping - never. I trained my dogs ask to be lifted to the couch or bed. They are trained to never get down but wait till I put them down. They never jump in and out of a car. That being said, there is still no guarantee. The more you carry her the more Muscle tone she loses. She needs a strong abdomen, back and leg muscles to support her back. We all know it is out there and hope it never happens. There are inherent problems with every breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a history of heart disease. Big dogs can have trouble with hip dysplasia etc etc.
4 of my friends have had or have dachsies with no back problems.
Talk to your Vet. Do lots of reading, be cautious and we all wish you hope and luck that you and your pup never suffer that.
Do go to Dodgerslist.com for more info that stays current and useful.
Most of all - love, adore, have fun with your dachsie. We cannot control the future. You will miss many happy days with your dachsie if you are afraid all the time. Have fun.
I hope I am not being preachy. Keep us posted. There are a couple other real good dachsies sites
Thedailydachshund
Thelongandshortofit
Write me back if I have goofed on those addresses. I found the one so good I went back and read months and months of input.