Health
IVDD: The Back Disease Every Dachshund (and Frenchie) Owner Should Know
Who's at risk
Long-backed and dwarf-legged breeds — dachshunds above all, plus French bulldogs, corgis, beagles and shih tzus — carry disc material that hardens young and can rupture into the spinal cord.
Know the warning signs
A hunched back, yelping when picked up, reluctance to move or jump, shivering, a wobbly drunken gait, dragging toes, or sudden hind-leg weakness. IVDD is progressive within hours — 'wait and see overnight' is the mistake that costs function.
Why speed matters
A dog that can still walk has excellent odds with strict crate rest and medication; a dog losing deep pain sensation needs emergency surgery within a narrow window for the best chance of walking again. Wobbliness or dragging = go now.
Prevention that helps
Keep them lean, use ramps instead of couch-and-bed leaps, harnesses instead of collars, and support chest-and-rear when carrying. You can't change their genes, but you can dramatically lower the strain on their spine.
If the day is coming
Ease The Paw coordinates in-home pet euthanasia across South Africa — we find and book the vet, arrange the cremation and handle the keepsakes, so you can simply be present. A flat R950 covers the coordination and your keepsake memorial; the vet and cremation are billed separately at their own rates.
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