Can I prevent eye problems in my Dachshund? What age do they appear?

Around 8 years old is average for most diseases to start showing up. Back problems are the #1 problem we see with these guys and that can happen at any age. Usually happens due to obesity so keep him lean! The other huge issue is their teeth. They have horrible teeth in general and all that tartar buildup can contribute to other health issues like heart and kidney disease. My recommendations: 1) Take him to your vet for yearly check-ups and senior blood testing 2) Keep him lean 3) Keep his teeth in good health That is all you have control over. The rest of diseases are luck of the draw. Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes.

I am sorry to hear about your dachsund! It looks like his hairloss is primarily around his ears/pinnae? and his trunk? It is possible your dachsund suffers from pattern baldness, which can cause this pattern of hair loss in this dog breed. There aren't proven treatments but anecdotal use of some medications such as pentoxifylline and melatonin are reported. I would discuss with your vet whether they feel these are appropriate to try with your dog given his medical history/current medications. As far as the cornea goes, are you certain they didn't say his retina instead of his cornea? The cornea is the surface of the eye, the retina is the back of the eye. In some dogs, if there are problems with the retina we can remove the cataract but the dog still won't be able to see because the retina is damaged already. If they are speaking about the surface of the eye, then it is hard to say without seeing his eye more clearly.

You can ask all the questions you want! Bloat commonly occurs between the age of 7-12, but younger dogs can get it. You can prevent it by having a surgery done called a gastropexy, which is where the outer layer of the stomach is stitched onto the rib cage, preventing it from ever rotating. Check out this article from PetCoach on bloat for information on how to prevent it: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bloat-gastric-dilatation-and-volvulus-in-dogs/

Supplements, such as Omega 3 fatty acids (Welactin is one example), can be beneficial to maintain skin health if Daisy has allergies. They are not a magic cure-all, but when used in conjunction with other management strategies for allergy triggers (diet changes, flea presentation, antihistamines, allergy immunotherapy injections, etc.), can be helpful in many dogs. There are no eye drops that will improve cataracts or age-related changes (lenticular sclerosis). Eye cloudiness can also be caused by glaucoma, corneal ulcers, among other inflammatory conditions. Consider having her eyes evaluated by a vet to determine the cause of the cloudiness so that it can be managed.

With Retinal Detachment dogs are blind. I am not sure that is what is going on with Cassie but if you take her to an ophthalmologist they should be able to determine the cause of her eyes. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Great question! Dachshunds are very prone to back problems, specifically intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This can happen acutely or chronically. They can be prone to bloat due to their deep chest. They can also be prone to patella luxation, cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, obesity, and skin problems.

Unfortunately, I do not know of any great meds for a cure. You could see an ophthalmologist to see if they know of any treatment. You could also see an acupuncturist. Sometimes they can slow down progression or strengthen their eyes and they may know of some herbs to try. I hope this helps and I am sorry to hear about his diagnosis.