If you own a Dachshund, chances are you’ve heard about slipped discs.
Perhaps you know another Dachshund that suddenly became paralysed. Perhaps your breeder warned you about the risk. Or perhaps you’ve found yourself worrying every time your dog jumps off the sofa.
It’s one of the commonest questions we hear at Movement Referrals:
“Is there anything I can do to stop my Dachshund slipping a disc?”
The honest answer is…
Yes.
But also…
No.
That may sound confusing, but once you understand why Dachshunds develop slipped discs, it begins to make sense.
Why are Dachshunds so prone to slipped discs?
Dachshunds weren’t simply bred to have short legs. The same genetic changes that give them their distinctive appearance also affect the discs between the bones of the spine. These discs normally act as shock absorbers, allowing the spine to move comfortably while protecting the spinal cord.
In many Dachshunds, however, the discs begin to age much earlier than they do in other breeds. Instead of remaining soft and flexible, they gradually become harder and more brittle. And, eventually, one of these discs may rupture.
When that happens, disc material presses against the spinal cord, causing pain, wobbliness, weakness or, in severe cases, paralysis.
This condition is called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Is it all genetic?
Largely, yes. Over the last decade, scientists have discovered several important genetic factors that increase the risk of IVDD. The best known is a genetic change involving a gene called FGF4. This genetic change contributes to the short-legged appearance we associate with Dachshunds and also increases the tendency for the spinal discs to degenerate.
But here’s something many owners don’t realise – there isn’t one single “IVDD gene.” Slipped discs are the result of several genetic factors working together, alongside environmental influences.
In other words…
Genetics loads the gun. Life pulls the trigger.
Whilst important genetic discoveries have been made, the picture is much more complicated than identifying a single “good” or “bad” gene. Researchers now believe that responsible breeding programmes, combined with assessment of spinal disc health through the official IVDD Screening Scheme, offer the best opportunity to reduce the incidence of IVDD in future generations.
Does jumping on and off furniture cause slipped discs?
This is probably the biggest myth surrounding Dachshunds.
Owners often blame themselves.
“I shouldn’t have let him jump off the sofa.”
“If only I’d carried her downstairs.”
The reality is usually very different – most slipped discs occur because the disc was already diseased. Jumping off the sofa may simply have been the moment the weakened disc finally ruptured.
In another dog, it may have happened while walking across the kitchen, or chasing a ball, or simply getting out of bed.
That doesn’t mean repeated high-impact jumping is a good idea – it isn’t.
But it also means owners shouldn’t spend years feeling guilty because of one jump that almost certainly wasn’t the real cause.
Can I reduce the risk?
Although no one can eliminate the risk completely, there are several sensible things every
Dachshund owner can do:
Keep your dog slim
This is probably the single most important factor you can influence.
Excess body weight places greater forces on the spine and also makes recovery much harder if a slipped disc does occur. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily and see a defined waist when viewed from above.
Keep them fit
Strong muscles help support the spine.
Regular walks, sensible exercise and maintaining good muscle condition are likely to be far more beneficial than restricting normal activity. Like people, fit dogs generally cope better when problems arise.
Avoid repetitive high-impact activities
We don’t recommend repeatedly encouraging Dachshunds to leap on and off high furniture or constantly negotiate steep flights of stairs if these can reasonably be avoided.
That said, it’s equally important not to let fear dominate your dog’s life. Exercise, play and enjoyment remain essential parts of staying healthy.
Know the warning signs
Perhaps the most important thing isn’t preventing every slipped disc, it’s recognising one
quickly if it happens.
Seek veterinary attention immediately if your Dachshund develops:
- Sudden neck or back pain
- Reluctance to walk
- Wobbliness
- Dragging one or both back feet
- Weakness
- Loss of the ability to walk
- Paralysis
When spinal cord compression occurs, prompt diagnosis can make a huge difference.
Many dogs recover extremely well following surgery, particularly when treatment isn’t delayed.
What about genetic testing?
You may have heard about DNA testing for IVDD – this is an area of active research and one that continues to evolve.
Whilst important genetic discoveries have been made, the picture is much more complicated than identifying a single “good” or “bad” gene.
In fact, the genetic changes associated with IVDD are so common in Dachshunds that DNA testing alone is unlikely to solve the problem.
Whilst genetic testing has helped us understand why Dachshunds are predisposed to IVDD, it is unlikely to be the answer on its own. Researchers now believe that assessing the health of the spinal discs themselves, alongside responsible breeding practices, is likely to have a much greater impact on reducing the disease in future generations.
Can we tell which Dachshunds are at greatest risk?
Interestingly, yes.
Although no test can tell us with certainty whether an individual Dachshund will develop IVDD, we can identify dogs that are at a higher or lower risk.
The most useful way of doing this isn’t through DNA testing. Instead, it’s by looking at the health of the spinal discs themselves.
The official IVDD Screening Scheme involves taking a series of spinal X-rays when a Dachshund is between 24 and 48 months of age. These X-rays are examined to count the number of calcified discs – discs that have already started to degenerate and harden.
The number of calcified discs becomes the dog’s IVDD score. Research has shown that Dachshunds with few or no calcified discs have a significantly lower lifetime risk of developing a slipped disc than dogs with many calcified discs.
It does not predict whether your own Dachshund will develop IVDD.
A dog with an excellent IVDD score can still slip a disc during its lifetime, while another with a poorer score may never experience spinal disease at all. Like all screening programmes, it estimates risk rather than predicting the future.
So why is it useful?
Because it helps improve the health of future generations.
By selecting dogs with lower IVDD scores for breeding, breeders can gradually reduce the number of puppies born with a high risk of developing IVDD. This approach has already helped reduce the frequency of slipped discs in Scandinavian countries where screening has been used for many years, and it is becoming increasingly important in the UK.
If you’re looking to buy a Dachshund puppy, it’s well worth asking whether both parents have been through the official IVDD Screening Scheme. The results are publicly available through organisations such as the Kennel Club and Dachshund Health UK, allowing prospective owners to look up the IVDD scores of the parents before choosing a puppy.
Choosing a puppy from IVDD-screened parents cannot guarantee that your Dachshund will never develop a slipped disc. However, it is one of the most important ways owners and breeders can work together to reduce the incidence of IVDD within the breed over time.
So… can you prevent a slipped disc?
Not completely.
Some Dachshunds will develop IVDD despite being fit, slim and living the healthiest life imaginable, others may never experience spinal disease at all.
The important thing is not to spend your dog’s life worrying about every jump or every staircase.
Instead, focus on the things you can control:
- Keep them slim.
- Keep them fit.
- Exercise them sensibly.
- If you’re buying a puppy, look for one whose parents have undergone the official IVDD Screening Scheme.
- Learn the warning signs.
And if something changes suddenly, seek veterinary advice promptly.
Enjoy your Dachshund
It’s easy to become anxious when you read about IVDD online.
But remember…
The vast majority of Dachshunds spend their lives doing exactly what they love.
Running.
Exploring.
Digging.
Playing.
Cuddling on the sofa.
Yes, they have a higher risk of slipped discs than many other breeds, but they also have enormous personalities and an incredible zest for life.
Our advice is simple – don’t spend your time worrying about what might happen, spend it enjoying your Dachshund.
If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, support breeders who use the IVDD Screening Scheme and who are committed to improving the health of the breed for future generations.
And if your own Dachshund ever does develop signs of spinal disease, remember that slipped discs are treatable. Many dogs recover extremely well with appropriate veterinary care, whether that involves careful conservative management or surgery.
With prompt diagnosis, the right treatment and a little patience during recovery, countless Dachshunds go on to enjoy many more happy, active years.
After all, that’s exactly what these remarkable little dogs deserve.