I have a Dachshund. Or really, a Miniature Dachshund. He is still only less then a year old, but he's not much younger. Only a few months. And I am just wondering, his back is one foot and one or two inches long. Besides stairs onto furniture, (our furniture is low and we normally just pick him up) how else can I help Charlie keep his lovely body?
Here's a picture for you to see Charlie if you want.
http://i5.tinypic.com/20ql7gg.jpg
Goofy Charlie has his floppy ear flipped over. x3
2006-07-22 08:04:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Ramps - I have heard running up and down stairs is really hard on these little long guys. You can also check with your vet about using glucosamine - a joint supplement (the back has intervertebral discs - so keeping those tissues healthy will help).
I would also keep him trim and healthy. This includes getting enough exercise to keep those muscles in the back from atrophy (withering away). Swimming might be a good low impact exercise - obviously for a stubby guy in shallow water with you right there...
These guys are really prone to being over weight - the less weight he has to carry, the easier it will be on all his joints. So feed a good food (Wellness, Nature's Variety, Wysong, etc.) and keep him so that he has a waist that you can see from the top; you should be able to easily (by LIGHTLY applying pressure) feel his ribs and backbone under the skin - but notbe able to see them just by looking.
2006-07-22 08:09:34 · answer #1 · answered by dvm2b 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can buy something called doggy steps. You can put it where ever he likes to climb up and down, (like the sofa, chair, etc) He will get where he really relys on them, and you can move them around with you where ever you go.
Also, if you have stairs from you back door that goes down or steps down a deck, consider building a ramp. We did this for our lab that had a bad back, and put asphalt strips every 6 inches or so down a piece of 12in wide 12ft long. It helped her alot. Your little dog could navigate this width quite well.
2006-07-22 08:15:14 · answer #2 · answered by Dog Mama 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to prevent back injuries in dogs such as Dachsunds is to keep them lean and trim (as well as keep them from jumping onto furniture/steps). Their backs are like suspension bridges...the more weight in the middle the more stress the spine receives. Hope this helps!
2006-07-22 08:10:33 · answer #3 · answered by sshrader123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately keep him from jumping to much, or even at all if possible. Diet as well, be sure to keep lean so he isn't carring around a bunch of extra weight. And keep your fingers crossed he doesn't get a back injury.
Forgot to mention.....ADORABLE puppy!!! :)
2006-07-22 08:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by ethansma24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CUTE!
Dogs with long backs like that shouldn't be allowed to jump off anything taller than they are, also they shouldn't be picked up if they are laying on their back. Turn 'em over, then pick him up.
2006-07-22 08:08:36 · answer #5 · answered by cynthetiq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your Dachshund is adorable.........
take good care of your pooch......do not let him get overweight
continue picking him up ... Dachshund are known to tumble down stairs . and have back & hips problems if overweight and if they should take a tumble down stairs .. take care of your pooch ...
you will get plenty of love in return.
* your Dachshund appears mix breed ? little jack russel terrier
mayby ? handsome doggy
2006-07-22 08:16:39 · answer #6 · answered by WyleeDawg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ack i hate you!Thats the exact dog i want color and all!I am so jealous.Well back problems ae gentc for them but try not haveing him jump on or off high things or jump up on his hind legs.That should help him some.Yet agin beautiful dog.
2006-07-22 08:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Becky D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cute pic
2006-07-22 08:06:27 · answer #8 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋