https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com Improving Dachshund's Lives Through Education and Inspiration Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:02:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-YDWWYW-2023-favicon-1-32x32.png https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com 32 32 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/owning-an-active-ivdd-dog-there-will-be-setbacks/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/owning-an-active-ivdd-dog-there-will-be-setbacks/#comments Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=13351 I remember the day that my Dachshund Gretel was diagnosed with IVDD back in 2016. Our active life, and the future plans I had for us, flashed before my eyes. I was devastated. And by the responses I’ve heard and seen from readers, members of our Dachshund club, and in Facebook groups, I know I...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/owning-an-active-ivdd-dog-there-will-be-setbacks/feed/ 33 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-it-bad-for-dachshunds-to-jump-new-evidence-that-might-surprise-you/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-it-bad-for-dachshunds-to-jump-new-evidence-that-might-surprise-you/#respond Sun, 26 Feb 2023 23:59:07 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=82406 Dachshunds not only can jump but they love to do so. Maybe it’s excitement, because they want to get your attention, or because they are daredevils that enjoy the thrill of it. But is it bad for Dachshunds to jump? You’ve probably heard the advice a hundred times – jumping is dangerous for Dachshunds because...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-it-bad-for-dachshunds-to-jump-new-evidence-that-might-surprise-you/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/what-is-conservative-treatment-for-ivdd-in-dogs/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/what-is-conservative-treatment-for-ivdd-in-dogs/#respond Sat, 25 Feb 2023 18:32:53 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=82386 If your Dachshund has suffered a back injury and been diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), conservative treatment, sometimes referred to as “crate rest”, may be recommended. In this article, I explain what IVDD is, when conservative treatment will be recommended, and what to expect, including the cost and chance of recovery. A Quick Summary...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/what-is-conservative-treatment-for-ivdd-in-dogs/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-back-surgery-description-cost/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-back-surgery-description-cost/#respond Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:44:34 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=82371 If your Dachshund has suffered a back injury and been diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), surgery may be recommended. In this article, I explain what IVDD is, when surgery will be recommended, and what to expect, including the cost and chance of recovery. What is Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)? I wrote in depth about...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-back-surgery-description-cost/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/your-active-dog-was-diagnosed-with-intervertebral-disk-disease-now-what/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/your-active-dog-was-diagnosed-with-intervertebral-disk-disease-now-what/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12734 The vet came out into the emergency waiting room and confirmed my worst fears: my Dachshund Gretel was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). Our life together as I knew it flashed before my eyes. I was upset and sad. It was such a blow. You see, Gretel had been my hiking partner for 5...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/your-active-dog-was-diagnosed-with-intervertebral-disk-disease-now-what/feed/ 47 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-there-an-ivdd-test-for-dachshunds/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-there-an-ivdd-test-for-dachshunds/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:12:07 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=22033 Since 25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease/Degeneration) related back issues in their lifetime, many Dachshund owners wonder if there is an IVDD test. Back surgery can cost around $10,000, and it can severely impact the quality of a dog’s life (and the humans that care for them), so it’s very valuable for...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/is-there-an-ivdd-test-for-dachshunds/feed/ 3 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/20-warning-signs-of-a-dachshund-back-injury-with-printable-checklist/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/20-warning-signs-of-a-dachshund-back-injury-with-printable-checklist/#respond Mon, 18 Jul 2022 21:51:44 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=21735 Because you won’t be sure your Dachshund has the disease until an injury occurs, the best thing you can do is commit the warning signs of a Dachshund back injury to memory and get your dog treatment right away if you see them.]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/20-warning-signs-of-a-dachshund-back-injury-with-printable-checklist/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/must-haves-for-a-dachshund-recovering-from-an-ivdd-back-injury/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/must-haves-for-a-dachshund-recovering-from-an-ivdd-back-injury/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2022 22:12:50 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=21356 My Dachshund Gretel suffered a back injury and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) in 2016. Many friends and members of our Dachshund club have shared their experiences with IVDD and recovery with us over the years. Here are 5 things I found essential to get through a back injury and the recovery period....]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/must-haves-for-a-dachshund-recovering-from-an-ivdd-back-injury/feed/ 6 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/myelomalacia-in-dachshunds-is-my-dog-at-risk/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/myelomalacia-in-dachshunds-is-my-dog-at-risk/#respond Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:12:19 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=21345 If your Dachshund has recently had surgery for back problems or a spinal injury, you may have heard your veterinarian mention a condition called myelomalacia.  However, if you haven’t heard about it, you’re not alone. Myelomalacia in Dachshunds is not often spoken about because it’s incredibly rare, but it is still possible! To help raise...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/myelomalacia-in-dachshunds-is-my-dog-at-risk/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lumasoothe-ivdd-light-therapy-at-home/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lumasoothe-ivdd-light-therapy-at-home/#respond Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:53:51 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=20931 If your dog has been diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), or suffered an injury, you have likely heard about “light therapy” or “cold laser” treatments from your veterinarian or others dog owners. While effective at reducing inflammation and increasing the body’s capacity to heal, most cold laser treatments are only available from your veterinarian...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lumasoothe-ivdd-light-therapy-at-home/feed/ 0 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/doggoramps-dog-couch-ramp-for-dachshunds/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/doggoramps-dog-couch-ramp-for-dachshunds/#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:33:00 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=20856 Does your Dachshund love to lay next to you on the couch? If the doorbell rings, or you get up, without a gentle way for your Dachshund to get off the couch, they have to jump down to get to the door or follow you to the other room. Since Dachshunds are brave and athletic,...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/doggoramps-dog-couch-ramp-for-dachshunds/feed/ 2 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-i-prevent-my-dachshunds-from-jumping-off-the-couch/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-i-prevent-my-dachshunds-from-jumping-off-the-couch/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2020 19:18:09 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=20129 When my Dachshund Gretel was diagnosed with IVDD, we had to make some major changes around the house. Specifically, we needed to prevent her from jumping off the couch. In my mind, there were only two ways to do that: Completely prevent her from getting on the couch in the first place. Make it so...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-i-prevent-my-dachshunds-from-jumping-off-the-couch/feed/ 8 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/chances-ivdd-dachshund-need-second-surgery/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/chances-ivdd-dachshund-need-second-surgery/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:53:44 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=20116 I received this question from a blog reader the other day: “How many cases have you encountered of repeat Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) and what amount resulted in a second surgery?” The woman said she found little information online regarding Dachshunds who experience a spinal injury related to IVDD a second time. Since I have...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/chances-ivdd-dachshund-need-second-surgery/feed/ 12 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/whats-the-minimum-amount-of-exercise-my-dachshund-needs/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/whats-the-minimum-amount-of-exercise-my-dachshund-needs/#comments Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:00:20 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=18927 As you know if you’re read my blog at all, I am very passionate about making sure a Dachshund gets enough exercise. There are two main reasons for this: Over the years, I’ve found that people often get a Dachshund- a small dog – because they think their size means they won’t need much exercise....]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/whats-the-minimum-amount-of-exercise-my-dachshund-needs/feed/ 12 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/help-my-dachshund-suddenly-cant-walk-advice/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/help-my-dachshund-suddenly-cant-walk-advice/#comments Mon, 05 Feb 2018 03:00:33 +0000 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=16709 Over the years, I’ve probably received 100 messages and emails from people whose Dachshunds are experiencing back problems, neck problems, and trouble walking. Although I’ve written several articles on the topic, I haven’t yet written one that specifically addresses the urgent time right after you discover that your Dachshund’s back legs are paralyzed, their front...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/help-my-dachshund-suddenly-cant-walk-advice/feed/ 80 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/laymans-guide-to-buying-a-cold-laser-for-your-dog/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/laymans-guide-to-buying-a-cold-laser-for-your-dog/#comments Mon, 07 Aug 2017 10:00:57 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=16012 If you read my article about how cold laser therapy can help your dog, you know it can help dogs with: You’ve decided to buy a cold laser therapy machine for home use but the information out there is overwhelming and sometimes conflicting. UPDATED: December 12, 2022 Lucky for you, I love gathering, gathering, gathering information and...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/laymans-guide-to-buying-a-cold-laser-for-your-dog/feed/ 58 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/can-cold-laser-therapy-benefits-dog/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/can-cold-laser-therapy-benefits-dog/#comments Thu, 04 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=15309 When my Dachshund Gretel injured her back, and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), I wanted to get her on the road to healing as fast as I could. During our first visit with the rehab vet, I asked her about absolutely every treatment I knew existed to potentially help Dachshunds with back problems....]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/can-cold-laser-therapy-benefits-dog/feed/ 29 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-treatment-things-you-can-do-at-home/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-treatment-things-you-can-do-at-home/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2016 02:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=13065 When Gretel injured her back, and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), I was determined that this would just be a blip in our journey together. I see people every day that overcame physical limitations and continue to be active in the outdoors. Although mild by comparison to some issues, I’ve deal with chronic...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-treatment-things-you-can-do-at-home/feed/ 26 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-exercises-for-strengthening-balance-and-body-awareness/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-exercises-for-strengthening-balance-and-body-awareness/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2016 15:30:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=13478 If your Dachshund has suffered a disk rupture, or back injury, related to Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), you may be looking for physical therapy exercises you can do at home to help your dog recover. These IVDD rehabilitation exercises are good for your Dachshund even if they haven’t suffered a back injury yet. They strengthen...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/ivdd-recovery-exercises-for-strengthening-balance-and-body-awareness/feed/ 14 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-crate-rest-tips/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-crate-rest-tips/#comments Fri, 13 May 2016 02:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12839 If your dog suffers from an injury to a joint or ligament, they will most likely be prescribed crate rest during the recovery process, whether as a primary course of treatment or after surgery. Crate rest, when used in lieu of surgery, is another name for conservative treatment since, although conservative treatment encompasses many modalities,...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-crate-rest-tips/feed/ 137 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/do-you-need-to-treat-your-ivdd-dog-like-breakable-glass/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/do-you-need-to-treat-your-ivdd-dog-like-breakable-glass/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12747 UPDATE: June 19, 2022 So you found out your dog has Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). At a minimum, you and your dog endured 6 weeks of crate rest. There were sad eyes, guilt, whining, patience, and frustration involved. Some of your dogs needed surgery too. Your dog may or may not have recovered to normal,...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/do-you-need-to-treat-your-ivdd-dog-like-breakable-glass/feed/ 160 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-to-help-a-dog-with-back-problems/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-to-help-a-dog-with-back-problems/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2016 19:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12408 The most common cause of back problems in Dachshunds, and many other dog breeds, is a condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I previously wrote an article explaining what IVDD is and how to recognize the warning signs of a back problem, and what you can do to help prevent them. However, IVDD is a genetic...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-to-help-a-dog-with-back-problems/feed/ 83 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/the-truth-about-dachshunds-and-back-problems/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/the-truth-about-dachshunds-and-back-problems/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2016 20:30:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12409 I didn’t always know a lot about back problems in Dachshunds. I was still pretty clueless even after owning my first Dachshund Chester for 8 years. It wasn’t until I adopted my second Dachshund Gretel in 2010, and started this blog, that I really started researching and learning as much as I could about the...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/the-truth-about-dachshunds-and-back-problems/feed/ 205 https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-skips-hops-when-running-walking/ https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-skips-hops-when-running-walking/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2016 10:00:00 +0000 http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/?p=12446 My recently started running with my Dachshund Gretel again with the goal of running a dog friendly 5k near Seattle. However, a couple of weeks ago, my plan came to a halt because she started skipping on one of her back legs while running. Then she started doing it when she was just walking. The...]]> https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dog-skips-hops-when-running-walking/feed/ 39