Acupuncture A Natural Approach to Healing

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years to treat various health conditions in both humans and animals. In veterinary acupuncture, fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific points on your dog’s body to stimulate their natural...

The current status of IVDD reduction in Australia

Let’s be honest, progress in reducing the incidence of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds across Australia has been frustratingly slow. Despite DISA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness through its website and social media, the lack of substantial...

Sand – why soft sand should be avoided

IVDD is a lifelong condition; once a spine is affected, it remains susceptible to further issues. While many dachshunds with IVDD recover well over time, there’s a significant risk of severe permanent damage that can be life-changing or life-threatening. In...

Nails

Keeping nails at a safe length Most Dachshunds get away with long nails because they are too smart for their own good! They fool their owners into thinking that nail clipping or dremeling is devil torture. Don’t let the little darlings fool you, when you hear...

Slippery Floor Syndrome

A no-no for dogs and a BIG NO NO for IVDD hounds! Our hounds can be ticking time bombs when it comes to the health of their spines. Statistics tell us that 1:4 will be affected during their lifetime, some worse than others. As an owner, it’s important to...

Neuter/Spay Lifestyle Tips

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...

Weight & body condition – Lifestyle Tip

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...

Picking up your Dachshund

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 &...

Harness versus Collar

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...

Four paws on the floor

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...