Lost both our dachshunds. Help please?

[AlpaCino]

Hi,
We have just lost our second dachshund to disc prolapse and the grief is hard to come to terms with.

Alfie, our first was a standard and he did not survive the surgery, he was 9. Cino was small, agile, very fit 8 yo and we thought she would be spared this horrible condition and we cannot believe she is gone at only 8yrs.

It is too soon to consider our next dachshunds but we have great fear that when we do get them, that this will happen again. Another breed is out of the question, (a sentiment I know will need no explaining here), but we need some help.

Both dogs leapt up and down on furniture and we have a lot of stairs. Neither of them were overweight. We have already determined that next time we will get furniture ramps, or use training to have them stay off beds etc, but cannot imagine carrying them up and down stairs each trip.

Neither of our dogs was purchased from a breeder. I have read that dogs can be bred and tested for spinal disease, yet the specialist vet surgeon tells us, that is not the case. He said that all dachshunds if x-rayed at 1yr, will have evidence of at least one disc under pressure.

I have also read other owners have had many dachies over years and years, they have used stairs and jumped on sofas regularly with no problems.

I would be most grateful for any advice.

Jenny
Brisbane Australia

PS the profile pic is Cino. I have a holiday home business and she used to hide in the car amongst the linen whenever we went out. I took her to each home for changeovers, but it was a lot harder when we would find her when we went to town for a meeting or on one occasion, we got to the rugby to find she had stowed away again. I miss them terribly.

 

[Nell]

I am so sorry to hear of your sad loss. You do read a lot of problems with dachshunds trouble with backs yet I too have known many dachshunds here with no trouble at all. I am not sure what part genetics has and maybe others can advise you better on this.

I agree its impossible to carry a dachshund everywhere, and would you want to? they are such fun dogs, I know I cant stop mine jumping every now and then but my dogs are very much a part of my life, I know many cage train their dogs but my dogs live with me, they are part of my family and go with me whenever they can.

Please don't feel bad, it sounds as though you gave your dogs a wonderful life and I know I would choose quality over quantity anytime. I am sure there are plenty of dachshunds out there who would love the chance for such a good home, when the time is right you will know. Best wishes,

 

[Penny]

Hi Jenny! Welcome from Canada! I am so very sorry for your losses. Those ages are much too young to leave us, how very heart breaking.

This is our story. Out of our 4 dachshunds that we've had, 3 of them got the wobbly walk, and the 3 recovered with meds and crate rest of 8 weeks. The vets that would do back surgery would not touch them unless they lost it all, bladder and bowel control, so surgery wasn't an option for them. They all have been very fit and lots of exercise. However, never ever do we let them go *down* stairs. No way. If they ever slipped, it would likely be a catastrophic tumble because with such short legs, they would not be able to catch themselves. They are not allowed to jump off of furniture. We have little step stools that they use to go up and down from the couch. Never are they on the bed, it's too high. They are crate trained, and boy, we've needed that crate training. The family should always assume that a back episode can and will happen, so being as pro-active as possible is wise. These episodes to happen to cautious families, and some doxies never have a problem, as you say, with stairs and jumping off furniture.

I know one lady with multiple dachshunds that has a fabric knapsack deal that her dogs go into it and she carries them on the stairs. You get used to it. lol Our stairs have a barrier so they don't go up on their own.

If you wish, post some pics of your doxies and share your memories of them with us.

 

[crystalclear1027]

Hello and welcome from Pennsylvania!!! So sorry for your loss!! We also lost our doxi Tango to this back problem a year ago this month. I know how you feel!!! We have 2 New ones and try very hard to protect them the best that we can. We also give them joint tablets every day, hopefully it helps them somewhat. Best of luck!!!!