How to Prevent, Treat or Live With
Dachshund Back Injuries

As soon as I brought Max and Bernie home from the shelter, I made an appointment with a local vet. I was excited to learn how to care for my new doxies.

"You have dachshunds?" Dr. Ex asked, and it wasn't with a tone of admiration.

"Well . . . yes," I replied, looking at the two tail-wagging, squirming little weiner dogs at my side. They sure looked like dachshunds to me.

"Hrumppphhh," Dr. Ex said. "Dachshunds are nothing but trouble. You have to lift them up to get 'em in your car. Don't let 'em run, jump, get on the couch or the bed. Watch them every minute or you'll return looking at back surgery."

Having divulged the sum total of his advice on caring for dachshunds, Dr. Ex walked away. I had only had my boyz for a week, but even I could see Dr. Ex did not have a personal relationship with dachshunds. Had he even met one?

Dachshunds are a strong and hardy breed. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! They are muscular in build, and they love to run, play and jump. Like all breeds, dachshunds have health challenges. Dr Ex was right that back injuries tend to be the biggest challenge. In fact, the risk of back injury in dachshunds is about ten times greater than all other breeds combined. That does not mean we treat our doxies like invalids.

Dr. Ex quickly became my ex as I set off in search of a veterinarian who could help care for my dachshunds. I wanted sound advice on nutrition, physical exercise, and preventative care. I surely did not want a doctor who saw my dachshunds as one huge potential ailment.

As responsible dachshunds parents, it is our job to exercise vigilance to protect our pets' backs. There is much we can do to provide good preventative care. But sometimes, prevention is not enough. What are the best options for treatment?

The articles in this section offer some suggestions on total preventative care and treatment for your doxie's back injury.

• How to Prevent Dachshunds Back Injuries



• When Prevention is Not Enough: Surgical Approaches



• When Prevention is Not Enough: Non-surgical Approaches