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Dachshunds, or “wiener dogs” as they’re often affectionately referred to, are a popular breed for a reason. They’re adorable, adaptable, and curious dogs. And who doesn’t love that small sausage shape?
Unfortunately, the Dachshund breed is predisposed to certain medical conditions. While these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance early.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Dachshund. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.
Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Dachshund Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below
The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.
How Much Does Pet Insurance for a Dachshund Cost?
Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Dachshund using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.
Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with Dachshund-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.
Common Health Problems Associated With Dachshunds
Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds
When a disc between the vertebrate in a dog’s spinal column deteriorates and calcifies, it can rupture with too much movement. A diseased or ruptured disc can press on your Dachshund’s spinal column, leading to extreme pain and even paralysis.
Because of their comparatively short legs and longer backs, IVDD affects Dachshunds more than any other breed. About 1 in 4 Dachshunds will be affected.
Obesity in Dachshunds
Gaining too much weight can be especially harmful to a Dachshund, again due to their short legs and longer backs. Being overweight can make the possibility of your Dachshund developing IVDD higher. Dachshunds that have been spayed or neutered are at higher risk for obesity.
Epilepsy in Dachshunds
Abnormalities in the brains of epileptic dogs will lead to ongoing seizures, and treatment will depend on the underlying causes. This seizure disorder will require your Dachshund to go on lifelong medication once diagnosed.
Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) in Dachshunds
This disease is said to be unique to Dachshunds. It’s a pigmentation disorder that causes the skin of the dog’s armpits, legs, and groin to darken and thicken. As a consequence, these areas of the skin can get infected.
Eye Diseases in Dachshunds
Sadly, your wiener dog is likely to develop one of a few eye problems later in life. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative eye disorder that leads to eventual blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. This can affect your dog’s depth perception and make them hesitant to walk at night.
Your Dachshund may also develop cataracts, which is a grayish-white film that forms over the lens of the eye. Surgery can remove cataracts, but it’s expensive, and it is possible for a dog to live comfortably with some treatment and adjustments.
RELATED: How To Help Your Blind Dog Adjust
Cushing’s Disease in Dachshunds
This disease occurs when the body produces too much of a hormone called cortisol. Cushing’s largely affects middle-aged to senior dogs, and you may notice your dog is extra thirsty or losing patches of hair. Your Dachshund may also urinate more frequently and have accidents.
Bloat in Dachshunds
Bloat occurs when your Dachshund’s stomach swells from excessive gas. When the condition worsens, the stomach can twist and obstruct blood flow to the heart. At that point the condition is life-threatening.
If you notice any of these warning signs, you should take your dog to the vet right away:
- Swollen belly
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Dachshunds and How Pet Insurance Can Help
If left untreated, certain conditions can result in long-term consequences, which ultimately make them more expensive to manage and treat. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Dachshunds can help you catch them early. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.
Many of the health issues listed above can be very expensive to treat, especially when surgery is required. Here are just some sample veterinary expenses:
- IVDD Costs: Caught early enough, IVDD can be treated with non-invasive treatments like pain medication and exercise control. In severe cases however, surgery can cost between $1,500 and $4,000. Those costs also don’t include the price of X-rays and other imaging techniques, which can add hundreds to thousands of dollars onto your bill.
- Epilepsy Costs: Epilepsy treatments range based on the severity of the condition. It could involve a special diet, long-term or permanent medication, nerve stimulation, and even surgery to remove brain tumors. Ultimately, the goal of epilepsy treatment is to decrease the frequency, severity, and duration of the seizures. In simple cases, this treatment plan may cost you $200 to $500 per year. In severe cases, however, you could pay up to $15,000 in surgery costs.
- Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) Costs: The treatment for AN depends on whether the disease is a primary or secondary one. If your Dachshund suffers from the primary AN, it can be controlled with topical products. If the AN results from your dog’s preexisting condition, treating that issue will likely get rid of the AN too. So, it could be relatively inexpensive to treat, or you could spend hundreds to thousands treating the primary condition.
- Cushing’s Disease Costs: Some of the higher costs involved with Cushing’s are in the diagnostics, since it can be hard for vets to initially determine what’s affecting your Dachshund. Ongoing treatment for the disease can range from $50 to $200 per month. They’ll also need frequent bloodwork to see if the drugs are working.
- Bloat Costs: Unfortunately, treating this medical condition is extremely pricey. If your dog’s stomach has twisted, they’ll need major surgery. Your Dachshund will also need stomach decompression and fluid therapy to counteract shock. Pet insurance with emergency coverage can literally be life-saving in this case.
- Eye Disease Costs: Cataract surgery can cost between $2,700 and $4,000 on average. Sadly, there’s currently no effective treatment for PRA, but there are home adjustments and wearable halos to make your blind dog’s life more comfortable.
What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My Dachshund?
Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $25-$45 per month as a pet parent.
Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.
Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. You can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit with our free pet insurance comparison tool.
Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.
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