Pet Insurance for Dachshunds

All hail the mighty and adorable Dachshund. Originally from Germany, the wiener dog, as it’s affectionately called, were bred to chase rodents and hunt small prey. While they are small in stature, they are bold in demeanor and personality! But like any dog breed, Dachshunds are prone to their own set of health conditions, which is why pet insurance for Dachshunds is such a good idea.

Common Dachshund Health Issues

Because the beloved Dachshund is a purebred, it is more susceptible to genetic health issues than mixed breeds. The more you know about your sweet pup and the potential health risks they face, the better able you’ll be to take care of them at each stage of their life.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most common Dachshund health issues and the associated costs of treating them.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a common and painful health condition among smaller dog breeds. With this condition, the knee cap, the patella, does not always stay in place but rather, dislocates.

You can imagine how frustrating and unstable movement would be if your kneecap suddenly slipped to the side of your knee! You’d most likely stumble, a lot. And this is exactly what happens to DAchshunds and other breeds that are afflicted with this condition. 

The dislocation of the knee can result in significant arthritis and can also lead to more diseases of the joint, such as a cruciate ligament rupture. With patellar luxation, both limbs can be affected, though one is usually much worse.

In mild cases, treatment can entail using pain relievers and weight management strategies. In more severe cases, surgery is necessary to correct the issue and help the dog’s mobility. The cost of surgery is can range between $1,500 and $3,000 for each knee. 

Corneal Dystrophy

Corneal dystrophy refers to a condition where there is clouding of the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eyeball. Depending on the severity of the disease, blindness may be a result, as both eyes are typically involved. Pups that are susceptible to corneal dystrophy can be affected as early as four months or as late as 13 years old. Unfortunately, the more severe cases of the disease show up in Dachshunds.

There is no cure for the disease and many treatments have proven to be not entirely effective. Often what is treated are the resulting corneal ulcerations, which may require pain medications and antibiotics. Costs of treating these ulcerations can range between $100 and $300 for basic management and more than $3,000 if surgery is required to try to save the eye.  Should eye removal be necessary, that cost is typically $500 to $1,500.

Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)

Cushing’s Disease is a common endocrine disorder that affects middle-aged dogs. Dogs afflicted with Cushing’s have adrenal glands that produce too much cortisol. The result is an array of symptoms including excessive drinking, urination, muscle wasting, a pot-bellied appearance, thinning of the skin, and the prevalence of typically minor infections. 

Treating Cushing’s Disease can require either medical or surgical intervention. Often diagnosing cushing’s can cost as much as treating the disease, with prices ranging between $500 to $1,500. 

Medical intervention can cost anywehere from $50 to $200 a month. Surgery will obviously cost more upfron but will eliminate the need for long-term management with medications. You can expect to pay anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000 for surgery.

Why Pet Insurance for Dachshunds is So Important

The health conditions we mentioneed are just some of the ones Dachshunds are prone to, but the list gives you an idea of how expensive they can be to treat. And this is exactly why it is so important for Dachshund parents to enroll their fur babies while they are young and healthy. 

Should an accident or illness occur, pet insurance gives you peace of mind knowing you can afford whatever treatment is necessary. A good accident and illness plan can reimburse you for up to 90% of veterinary costs, which means you never have to make the heart-wrenching decision to say goodbye to your baby because you can’t afford treatment.

Choosing the Right Pet Insurance for Dachshunds

Choosing the right pet insurance plan is extremely important for you and your fur baby. Should you choose the wrong plan and go to make a claim, you may find your treatments are not covered. And that means you’re left paying the entire bill(s). 

To make sure you get the right coverage, look for a provider that does not have any limitations on genetic or hereditary illnesses that could leave your Dachshund without coverage. You’ll also want a provider that allows you to customize your plan so you get the most coverage that still fits your budget. This means YOU get to choose your reimbursement rate, deductible, and whether or not you choose to have add-on wellness coverage for things like vaccinations and yearly exams.

We make it easy for pet parents to find the right plan for them. Use our website to compare providers, read reviews from real pet parents, or get a quote from multiple providers in minutes. 

Wanna know who the best providers are? Here are the top pet insurance providers – in order – based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

References:

https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/dachshund

https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/wiener-get-a-sausage-dog-worried-vets-lay-out-the-long-and-low-of-dachshund-health-issues-after-crufts-win/

https://be.chewy.com/dachshund-health-issues/

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.