My vet has officially classified Coco as a member of the seniors’ club – it’s a label that makes my heart sing. Post-IVDD surgery in 2015, Coco was paralysed in the back legs and her bladder function was also affected. Whilst it took six months to help her to wobbly...
Enrichment & brain games for our dachshunds with IVDD One of the worst things about having a dachshund diagnosed with IVDD is hearing the dreaded words “crate rest”. Whether you have taken the conservative or surgical route, often our dachshunds with IVDD need a...
Whoever said crate resting a Dachshund was easy needs to be hunted down and locked in a room full of IVDD sausages without earplugs for a week :-/> When a human is admitted to hospital for back surgery they are confined to a bed, topped up with medication and...
Should you do it and when is the best time? This is an important topic to consider, especially when it comes down to the long-term joint health of your dog and particularly with respect to IVDD in Dachshunds. Before we begin, please understand that the age a dog is...
Since IVDD is a disease with a strong genetic component it is difficult to prevent. Dogs at increased risk of IVDD are chondrodystrophic dogs and dogs with a known family history of the disease. It is important for dogs at risk to maintain healthy body weight and be...
A topic that is often asked is “Will my dog have another IVDD episode even after surgery or having successfully recovered from conservative treatment? The rational answer is “Once a diseased spine, always a diseased spine” But let’s break it down and quote some...
There is no single “magic cure” for IVDD however, whether being treated conservatively or surgically, the importance of rehabilitation has proven to be paramount in a Dachshund’s rehabilitation and future wellbeing following an IVDD event. A qualified physiotherapist...
Known for their long body & short legs, their unusual proportions can make them tricky to handle. This means that extra care must be taken to support the dog’s back as you pick it up, hold it, and set it back down. Do’sPlace one hand under the chest &...
If your Dachshund is fit, then it really doesn’t matter. It is important to teach them to walk without pulling ahead of you. The pulling and jerking puts added strain on their whole spines. Investing in good training sessions to learn to walk your dog on a...
Well, we all know how much our Dachshunds love to run around and jump on and off furnishings. Some of them, we are pretty sure, think they are actually mountain goats. But what this actually demonstrates to us, is that Dachshunds are active dogs who should be fit for...
Dogs with IVDD face a particular risk whenever they undergo anesthesia for procedures like dental work, x-rays, or scans. Since a diseased spine remains so, it’s crucial for your vet to take necessary precautions whenever your dog is anesthetised. When a dog is...
I have taken two hounds through both conservative and surgical pathways (both Grade 5) and have an open mind to both; it primarily comes down to the dog, the preparedness of the owner and most importantly what access you have to services in your area that are...
