Ruptured disks are relatively common in small dogs with short legs and long backs, like the dachshund. The dachshund's build puts more pressure on its spine, so a trauma or too much physical activity can result in a rupture. You should see your veterinarian right away if you think your dachshund might have a ruptured disk. If left untreated, this condition can cause an inability to walk or even to move limbs.
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Treatment Without Surgery
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If your dachshund has a ruptured disk that isn't causing significant neurological problems, surgery may be avoided. If your veterinarian thinks your dachshund can recover from a ruptured disk without surgery, she will probably prescribe some nonsteroidal pain relievers and advise you to make sure the dog gets plenty of rest. After a trauma like a ruptured disk, it's important to keep your dog confined so that it doesn't overexert itself. It may be necessary to crate your dog to limit its movement; this is called cage rest.
Treatment With Surgery
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Many dachshunds with ruptured disks require immediate surgery. This is because of potential complications that might result if the ruptured disk isn't treated right away. Such complications include hemorrhaging and nerve damage.
Different types of surgeries are available, and your veterinarian will choose one depending on the location of the rupture and his experience and preferences. The most common type of surgery decompresses the spine by removing some of the bone over the spinal canal.
Recovery
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After surgery, the veterinarian will keep the dog sedated for at least a day and monitor it for signs of neurological damage, like seizures. Early rehabilitation includes flexing and stretching the dog's muscles as well as massage.
Many dogs are able to make a full recovery after surgery, but one common development is urinary incontinence. If this happens to your dachshund, your veterinarian will show you how to manually express urine from the dog's bladder, and you will need to monitor the dog to be sure that it relieves itself four to five times per day. If it doesn't, you will have to manually express the urine.
After surgery, your dachshund may need lifestyle changes. These include weight loss to avoid too much pressure on the spine, using a harness instead of a collar, avoiding jumping or climbing stairs to reduce the amount of pressure on the spine and wearing protective footwear outside to prevent injury.
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