Editing Dachshund (section)

== Health ==
[[File:Jamnik Dachshund puppies.jpg|thumb|Two dachshund puppies]]
The breed is prone to spinal problems, especially [[Degenerative disc disease|intervertebral disk disease]] (IVDD), due in part to an extremely long [[vertebral column|spinal column]] and short rib cage.<ref>{{cite journal | first1 = V. F. |last1=Jensen| first2= A. K.|last2= Ersbøll |year=2000| title=Mechanical Factors affecting the Occurrence of Intervertebral Disc Calcification in the Dachshund – a Population Study|journal = Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series A| volume= 47 |issue=5|pages= 283–296| doi =10.1046/j.1439-0442.2000.00296.x |pmid=10932525}}</ref> The risk of injury may be worsened by [[Obesity in pets|obesity]], jumping, rough handling, or intense exercise, which place greater strain on the [[vertebra]]e. About 20–25% of dachshunds will develop IVDD.<ref name="UFAW website1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ufaw.org.uk/intervertebraldicdiseasedachshunds.php|title=Intervertebral Disc Disease|work=Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals|publisher=Universities Federation for Animal Welfare|location=ufaw.org.uk|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306042830/http://www.ufaw.org.uk/intervertebraldicdiseasedachshunds.php|archive-date=6 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dachshunds with a number of calcified intervertebral discs at a young age have a higher risk of developing disc disease in later life. In addition, studies have shown that development of calcified discs is highly heritable in the breed.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mogensen|first1=Mette Sloth|last2=Karlskov-Mortensen|first2=Peter|last3=Proschowsky|first3=Helle Friis|last4=Lingaas|first4=Frode|last5=Lappalainen|first5=Anu|last6=Lohi|first6=Hannes|last7=Jensen|first7=Vibeke Frøkjær|last8=Fredholm|first8=Merete|date=2011-09-01|title=Genome-Wide Association Study in Dachshund: Identification of a Major Locus Affecting Intervertebral Disc Calcification|url=https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article/102/Suppl_1/S81/895338|journal=Journal of Heredity|language=en|volume=102|issue=Suppl_1|pages=S81–S86|doi=10.1093/jhered/esr021|pmid=21846751|issn=0022-1503|doi-access=}}</ref> An appropriate screening programme for IVDD has been identified by Finnish researchers<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lappalainen|first1=Anu K|last2=Vaittinen|first2=Elina|last3=Junnila|first3=Jouni|last4=Laitinen-Vapaavuori|first4=Outi|date=2014-12-19|title=Intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds radiographically screened for intervertebral disc calcifications|journal=Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica|volume=56|issue=1|page=89|doi=10.1186/s13028-014-0089-4|issn=0044-605X|pmc=4285634|pmid=25523328 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and a UK IVDD screening programme has been developed for breeders<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dachshund IVDD – X-ray Scheme|url=https://www.dachshund-ivdd.uk/testing-for-ivdd/x-ray-scheme/|access-date=2020-08-03|website=www.dachshund-ivdd.uk|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815020135/https://www.dachshund-ivdd.uk/testing-for-ivdd/x-ray-scheme/|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the aim to reduce prevalence of spinal problems.

Treatment consists of combinations of crate confinement and courses of anti-inflammatory medications (steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like carprofen and meloxicam), or chronic pain medications, like [[tramadol]]. Serious cases may require surgery to remove the troublesome disk contents.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1999.00421.x | last1 = BVSc | first1 = Dhupa | last2 = MPH | first2 =  N| last3 = David | first3 = J. Waters DVM | last4 = PhD | first4 = Diplomate ACVS | last5 = -1#Sarit | first5 = Nita Glickman MS | year = 1999 | title = Reoperative Neurosurgery in Dogs With Thoracolumbar Disc Disease | journal = Veterinary Surgery | volume = 28 | issue = 6| pages = 421–428 | pmid = 10582738 }}</ref> A dog may need the aid of a cart to get around if paralysis occurs.

A minimally invasive procedure called "percutaneous laser disk ablation" has been developed at the [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|Oklahoma State University Veterinary Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vetmedpub.com/vetmed/On+the+Forefront/On-the-Forefront-Prophylactic-laser-disk-ablation-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/440886?contextCategoryId=8701|title=On the Forefront: Prophylactic laser disk ablation in dogs at Oklahoma State University – Veterinary Medicine|date=1 July 2007|access-date=19 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318173451/http://www.vetmedpub.com/vetmed/On+the+Forefront/On-the-Forefront-Prophylactic-laser-disk-ablation-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/440886?contextCategoryId=8701|archive-date=18 March 2008|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Originally, the procedure<ref name=Bartels>{{cite journal |first1=Kenneth E. |last1=Bartels |last2=Higbee |first2=Russell G. |first3=Robert J. |last3= Bahr |first4=David S. |last4= Galloway |first5=Tiffany S. |last5=Healey |first6=Christopher |last6=Arnold |title=Outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease: 277 cases (1992–2001) |date=15 June 2003 |volume=222 |issue=12 |pages=1733–1739 |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |doi=10.2460/javma.2003.222.1733|pmid=12830867 |doi-access=free }}</ref> was used in clinical trials<ref name=Bartels /> only on dachshunds that had suffered previous back incidents. Since dachshunds are prone to back issues, the goal is to expand this treatment to dogs in a normal population.

In addition to back problems, the breed is prone to [[luxating patella|patellar luxation]] where the kneecap can become dislodged.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coile|first1=D. Caroline |last2=Earle-Bridges |first2=Michelle |title=The Dachshund Handbook |publisher=Barron's Educational Series |year=2005 |page=126 |isbn=0-7641-2673-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/dachshund/|title=Dachshund Dog Breed Information|website=American Kennel Club|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}</ref> Dachshunds may also be affected by [[osteogenesis imperfecta]] (brittle bone disease). The condition seems to be mainly limited to wire-haired Dachshunds, with 17% being carriers.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Eckardt | first1 = J. | last2 = Kluth | first2 = S. | last3 = Dierks | first3 = C. | last4 = Philipp | first4 = U. | last5 = Distl | first5 = O. | s2cid = 34816198 | title = Population screening for the mutation associated with osteogenesis imperfecta in dachshunds | doi = 10.1136/vr.101122 | journal = Veterinary Record | volume = 172 | issue = 14 | pages = 364 | year = 2013 | pmid =  23315765}}</ref> A genetic test is available to allow breeders to avoid breeding carriers to carriers. In such pairings, each puppy will have a 25% chance of being affected.<ref>{{cite web|title="Brittle Bone" Gene in Dachshunds Discovered|url=http://www.dachshund-dca.org/Media/newsletter%20articles/2011%20Articles/BrittleBoneGeneVaccinations.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426232619/http://www.dachshund-dca.org/Media/newsletter%20articles/2011%20Articles/BrittleBoneGeneVaccinations.pdf |archive-date=2014-04-26 |url-status=live|work=Newsletter|publisher=Dachshund Club of America|access-date=6 April 2013}}</ref>

In some double dapples, there are varying degrees of vision and hearing loss, including reduced or absent eyes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parizo|first=Angie|url=http://www.starlightkennel.com/Dapple.html|title=Double Dapple Warnings|access-date=19 November 2009|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516205046/https://starlightkennel.com/Dapple.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Not all double dapples have problems with their eyes and/or ears, which may include degrees of hearing loss, full deafness, malformed ears, congenital eye defects, reduced or absent eyes, partial or full blindness, or varying degrees of both vision and hearing problems; but heightened problems can occur owing to the genetic process in which two dapple genes cross, particularly in certain breeding lines. Dapple genes, which are dominant genes, are considered "dilution" genes, meaning whatever color the dog would have originally carried is lightened, or diluted, randomly; two dominant "dilution" genes can cancel each other out, or "cross", removing all color and producing a white recessive gene, essentially a white mutation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherlysdachshunds.com/genes.html |title=Recessive and Dominant Genes|work=Weatherly's Miniature Dachshunds| access-date=19 November 2009}}</ref> When occurring genetically within the eyes or ears, this white mutation can be detrimental to development, causing hearing or vision problems.

Other dachshund health problems include hereditary [[epilepsy]],<ref name="dummies231">{{cite book|last=Adamson|first=Eve |title=Dachshunds for Dummies |publisher=For Dummies |year=2007 |edition=2nd |page=231 |isbn=978-0-470-22968-2}}</ref> [[granulomatous meningoencephalitis]], dental issues, [[Cushing's syndrome (veterinary)|Cushing's syndrome]], [[thyroid]]<ref name="dummies231" /> and autoimmune problems,<ref name="UFAW website2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ufaw.org.uk/IMMUNEMEDIATEDTHROMBOCYTOPENIADACHSHUNDS.php|title=Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia|work=Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals|publisher=Universities Federation for Animal Welfare|location=ufaw.org.uk|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211130732/http://www.ufaw.org.uk/IMMUNEMEDIATEDTHROMBOCYTOPENIADACHSHUNDS.php|archive-date=11 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> various [[allergy|allergies]]<ref name="dummies232">{{cite book|last=Adamson|first=Eve |title=Dachshunds for Dummies |publisher=For Dummies |year=2007 |edition=2nd |page=232 |isbn=978-0-470-22968-2}}</ref> and [[atopy|atopies]], and various eye conditions including [[cataract]]s, [[glaucoma]], [[progressive retinal atrophy]],<ref name="dummies231" /> corneal ulcers, nonulcerative corneal disease, [[sudden acquired retinal degeneration]], and [[cherry eye]]. Dachshunds are also 2.5 times more likely than other breeds of dogs to develop [[patent ductus arteriosus]], a congenital heart defect. Dilute color dogs (Blue, Isabella, and Cream) are very susceptible to [[Canine follicular dysplasia#Color dilution alopecia|color dilution alopecia]], a skin disorder that can result in hair loss and extreme sensitivity to sun. Since the occurrence and severity of these health problems is largely hereditary, breeders are working to eliminate these.

Factors influencing the litter size of puppies and the proportion of stillborn puppies per litter were analyzed in normally sized German dachshunds.<ref name="pmid15803761">{{cite journal |vauthors=Gresky C, Hamann H, Distl O |title=[Influence of inbreeding on litter size and the proportion of stillborn puppies in dachshunds] |language=de |journal=Berl. Munch. Tierarztl. Wochenschr. |volume=118 |issue=3–4 |pages=134–9 |year=2005 |pmid=15803761 }}</ref> The records analyzed contained data on 42,855 litters. It was found that as the [[Inbreeding#Domestic animals|inbreeding]] coefficient increased, litter size decreased and the percentage of stillborn puppies increased, thus indicating [[inbreeding depression]]. It was also found that young and older dams had smaller litter sizes and more stillborn puppies than middle-aged dams.

A study in Japan found the Miniature Dachshund to have lower rates of [[glaucoma]] than other breeds. With 2.4% of cases belonging to the breed but the breed making up 10.1% of visits to the veterinary hospital.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=KATO | first1=Kumiko | last2=SASAKI | first2=Nobuo | last3=MATSUNAGA | first3=Satoru | last4=NISHIMURA | first4=Ryohei | last5=OGAWA | first5=Hiroyuki | title=Incidence of Canine Glaucoma with Goniodysplasia in Japan: A Retrospective Study | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher=Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=68 | issue=8 | year=2006 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.68.853 | pages=853–858| doi-access=free | pmid=16953087 }}</ref>

Dachshunds are predisposed to [[Hypothyroidism in dogs|hypothyroidism]].<ref>{{cite book | last1=Rhodes | first1=Karen Helton | last2=Werner | first2=Alexander H. | title=Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | publication-place=Ames, Iowa | date=2011-01-25 | isbn=978-0-8138-1596-1 | page=148}}</ref>

===Life expectancy===
A 2018 study in Japan of pet cemetery data put the Miniature Dachshund life expectancy at 13.9 years compared to 13.7 overall and 15.1 for crossbreeds.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=INOUE | first1=Mai | last2=KWAN | first2=Nigel C. L. | last3=SUGIURA | first3=Katsuaki | title=Estimating the life expectancy of companion dogs in Japan using pet cemetery data | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher=Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=80 | issue=7 | year=2018 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.17-0384 | pages=1153–1158| pmid=29798968 | pmc=6068313 }}</ref> A 2024 study in the UK found a life expectancy of 13.2 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]] with the Miniature Dachshund found to have a life expectancy of 14 years.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}</ref> A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 11.5 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Roccaro | first1=Mariana | last2=Salini | first2=Romolo | last3=Pietra | first3=Marco | last4=Sgorbini | first4=Micaela | last5=Gori | first5=Eleonora | last6=Dondi | first6=Maurizio | last7=Crisi | first7=Paolo E. | last8=Conte | first8=Annamaria | last9=Dalla Villa | first9=Paolo | last10=Podaliri | first10=Michele | last11=Ciaramella | first11=Paolo | last12=Di Palma | first12=Cristina | last13=Passantino | first13=Annamaria | last14=Porciello | first14=Francesco | last15=Gianella | first15=Paola | last16=Guglielmini | first16=Carlo | last17=Alborali | first17=Giovanni L. | last18=Rota Nodari | first18=Sara | last19=Sabatelli | first19=Sonia | last20=Peli | first20=Angelo | title=Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy | journal=Preventive Veterinary Medicine | volume=225 | date=2024 | doi=10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106155 | page=106155| doi-access=free | pmid=38394961 | hdl=11585/961937 | hdl-access=free }}</ref> A 2005 Swedish study of insurance data found 28% of Dachshund died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Egenvall | first1=A | last2=Bonnett | first2=Bn | last3=Hedhammar | first3=å | last4=Olson | first4=P | title=Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish Dogs from 1995–2000: II. Breed-Specific Age and Survival Patterns and Relative Risk for Causes of Death | journal=Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica | volume=46 | issue=3 | date=2005-09-30 | pages=121–136 | issn=1751-0147 | pmid=16261925 | pmc=1624818 | doi=10.1186/1751-0147-46-121 | doi-access=free }}</ref>