My Dachshund has one long vertebrae. What is it called and its causes?

I am not aware of a specific name for this, but it is very common in dachshunds. Any dogs that have shorter than normal legs (like Dachshund or Basset Hound) can have a twisting appearance to the front limbs as the bones grow and harden. It can be a heritable condition, so dogs that are affected should not be bred. The twisting bones themselves shouldn't cause problems, but since his anatomy is not completely normal, he may be predisposed to developing arthritis as he gets older. Making sure that he stays a lean body weight and continues to get exercise will help a lot.

Sorry for your loss. Without a full physical and neurological exam it is impossible to provide a diagnosis. Dachshund breeds are very prone to spinal disk disease which can cause pain, reduced mobility and paralysis as well as numerous other clinical signs depending on which nerves are being pinched and this would be a distinct possibility but could not be confirmed without a post mortem exam

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boris. Given his breed and your description of not being able to use his rear limbs, I am concerned that he has a condition known as IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). The disc sitting between each vertebra can bulge placing pressure on the spinal cord. In worst cases, this can cause weakness or paralysis in one or more legs. When the hind limbs are affected some dogs will have difficulty going to the bathroom as well. He will need prompt treatment to help him regain function of his legs. Rarely a dog will require back surgery. Of course, something else could be wrong which is why he will need to be seen again. I hope this information helps you and Boris.

Sadie may be having a bulging or ruptured disc issue in her back. She needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately because the sooner this issue is addressed the better chance she has for a full recovery. Disc disease is very painful and can result in paralysis if not treated. Depending on the severity of the disease Sadie may just need prescription medication and rest or if the condition is more severe she may need surgery for a full recovery. Please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs so you will need to have these prescribed by a veterinarian. Again, the sooner Sadie is treated the better chance for a full recovery so please take her to see a veterinarian right away. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and hope hope Sadie gets the care she needs to make a full recovery!

These signs are due to a spinal cord injury most likely due to intervertebral disk extrusion in the thoracolumbar tract. The presence of paresthesia (due to nervous system lesion) is causing tingling sensations on the penis and a sort of itch (that is why is persistently licking it). A buster collar would be essential to avoid excessive licking. Physiotherapy would be very useful to improve recovery, but sometimes only neurosurgery can give best outcome (as the disc material keep compressing spinal cord). Learn how to do it on this link http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/rehabilitating-canine-veterinary-patients-after-neurosurgery Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Dachshunds are notorious for hurting their backs due their conformation. They have very long backs compared to other breeds. This makes them more susceptible to injury. They will often walked hunched and scream when picked up. Usually these dogs need strong pain medications, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers. These back issues can become serious as they can herniate a disc and end up paralyzed. Minnie really needs to see a vet for this issue. I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and Minnie!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. I recommend that you have Sprinkles evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Sprinkles feel better. In the meantime, reduce her activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night!