IVDD in Dachshunds

Dawn Shaw-Moir – Roo – 5 Years old.

Please please please, be aware that it could be that as many as 1 in 4 dachshunds have an episode of IVDD some time in their lives. Intervertebral disc disease symptoms happen when the jelly like content of the disc between vertebra squeezes out and presses on nerves causing severe pain and damage.

Early symptoms are easy to miss or mistake for something else and If action is not taken quickly the dog may be permanently paralysed.

What to do:

1. Get to know the symptoms
2. Restrict movement by confining in crate, box or small baby pen until you see vet
3. Be prepared to challenge your vet if they say it is simply muscular, especially if the dog is aged between 4 and 6, the biggest risk period
4. If in doubt, insist on a referral to a practice who can MRI. This is the ONLY away to accurately diagnose the extent of the issue. An X-ray is NOT enough.
5. Many dogs can be treated ‘conservatively’ with extended crate rest for up to 8 weeks, but the longer it is left or the more severe the symptoms, the less chance of fill recovery.
6. If surgery is needed, it will cost upwards of £4-9000.

Above all, if you have a Dachshund, take out insurance, or put money on one side. If you are saving up for a Dachshund then save up for insurance too. The risk is simply too high not to.

More information here. Please particularly read the section on symptoms.
http://www.dachshund-ivdd.uk/

Written by Gill Key, Pet Adviser, Health and Welfare Subcommittee, Dachshund Breed Council

Jo Evers-King – Darcey Doodles – 2nd IVDD Op
Cathanie King – Minnie – 2 days post op
Julie Austin – Bella – 10 days post op
Wanda Eldridge – Demi – IVDD Post Op
Janet Irwin – Darcy – Post Op
Yvonne Brannigan – Paddy – 1 Days post op
Tena Caple – Roxy – Post Op
Abbey Norman – Mr Sizzle – Post Op

Emergency Dachshund Rescue UK?

The Red Foundation emergency dachshund uk logoHave you been wondering why we are classifying ourselves as the ‘Emergency Dachshund Rescue UK’?

We thought long and hard about our tagline and we agreed that The Red Foundation as a name didn’t really show what we do.

We act instantly on any case of a Dachshund in need i.e the ‘Emergency’ part. We have fosters and transportation links all over the country ready to help in situations where the family or owner does not have much time on their hands.

We realised in the very early days of The Red Foundation, that even the most loving of dog owners end up in scenarios where they must rehome their dachshund and sometimes even with a 24 hour time frame.

Our team is made up of not only dachshund owners, but knowledgable and rescue experienced ladies.

With that being said, we have connections to a network of trustworthy experienced dachshund owners who are capable of rehabilitating and working with troubled dachshunds too.

We are really chuffed that you’ve come to this website and had a think about what we do and offer.

If you can we’d really appreciate you popping a donation our way. We are taking in dogs with considerable health issues, behavioural issues, transport requirements, as well as running this website to keep people informed and advised on the breed. Which racks up some fairly massive bills!

paypal.me/theredfoundation

Thanks again

 

What is ‘Rare’ about this Dachshund being advertised?

This week we’ve had a crazy amount of people online talking about the advertising of Rare Dachshund colourings. Generally if the dog is being advertised as a ‘rare’ colour it may mean a lot more about it’s health and you are likely being ‘ripped off’.

Blues

Blue Dachshunds are not registered or recognised is this country. However there have been a lot of imports over 2017. Generally speaking if a dachshund is being advertised as rare and you can visibly see it is blue/grey in colour it has probably come from a terrible life of puppy farming and has been illegally imported.

These blues appear beautiful, but at a later stage in their development they are likely to have terrible skin issues including reactions to food and sunlight as severe as boils on the body.

Please contact us if you see a advert for a blue Dachshund we may be able to look further into it’s situation and even advise you on the health issues we believe will arise. That way you can be fully prepared before your purchase.

Here is a link to the breed council PDF on coats and colours! 

Double Dapples

Image of a Double Dapple Dachshund that The Red Foundation Rescued in 2017

Another colouring that is being advertised as ‘Rare’ is the double dapple. Generally a DD won’t be advertised as Double dapple and instead as a dapple. The way you can tell them apart is that a Double Dapple is likely to have very large patches of white on their colouring.

Double Dapples come with more health issues than we can list, but the most important is they generally speaking will lose their sight and hearing at a very early age.

Again you are welcome to contact us for advice if you come across a advert and are unsure on the dog.