Dachshund Health UK
RESEARCH - EDUCATION - HEALTH
Welcome to the website of Dachshund Health UK
(Registered Charity No. 1177400)
Priorities
Current Health Priorities
Back disease (IVDD)
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is by far the most common health problem in UK Dachshunds: around 1 in 4 may be affected at some stage in their lives. Whilst many recover well in time, there is significant risk of permanent damage so severe it is life changing or threatening. On our dedicated IVDD website, you can find out more about the causes, symptoms, treatments, expense, how to reduce the risks, plus details of our IVDD screening initiative.
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View our IVDD presentations and videos from veterinary and breed experts, here.
Lafora Disease (Mini Wires)
Lafora Disease is a form of epilepsy that affects Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. Symptoms typically develop from age 5 and can include fitting, confusion, jerking (myoclonus), incontinence and panic attacks. Lafora is classified as an inherited autosomal recessive condition which means that to be clinically affected, a dog must inherit a mutated gene from each parent. If it has inherited one mutated gene (i.e. a Carrier), it will not be affected but if mated with another carrier or affected dog, some puppies may be clinically affected.
The Lafora DNA test is a ‘required’ test for KC Assured Breeders and for Breed Club members to comply with our Code of Ethics. For more information, visit the Laforadogs website.
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View our Lafora presentations and videos from veterinary and breed experts, here​.
Eye Disease
All 3 Miniature varieties may be affected by a form of progressive retinal degeneration (PRA) which can lead to blindness, known as Cord1 PRA. They should be DNA screened for this, before breeding.
Miniature and Standard Wires with Scandinavian pedigrees are recommended to be screened for NPHP4 PRA (Day Blindness) before breeding.
We recommend that all breeding animals should also have a clinical eye examination (KC/BVA/ISDS) before breeding. Eye conditions such as Distichiasis are prevalent in Miniature Longs.
Epilepsy
In addition to our Top 3 priorities, we know we have a problem with epilepsy in Mini Longhaired Dachshunds compared with the other varieties. They have a 4% prevalence from all our surveys which is 4 times higher than the other varieties. There are, of course, cases reported in the other varieties.
Please use the link below to submit a report on epilepsy diagnosed by a Veterinary Surgeon if you are a UK Dachshund breeder or owner. You can use this form to enter a report for ONE Dachshund of ANY variety. Please submit a new form for each additional Dachshund. Do not use this form to report Lafora Disease (there is already a separate survey of dogs with Lafora).