Agria Sweden - Dachshund Health Statistics

Post date: Sep 23, 2012 11:14:36 AM

Agria Insurance (Sweden) publishes statistics on health insurance claims. Dachshunds are one of the most popular breeds in Sweden so it is one where more data are available. Unfortunately, the most recent data are from 1995-2002, so are quite old, but nevertheless make interesting reading. Here are the headlines (using Google Translate):

Herniated Disc is the Number One killer of Dachshunds

The most common cause of death for Dachshunds are herniated discs. Of all the Dachshunds who passed away during the time between 1995 and 2002, more than 17 percent were diagnosed with herniated discs. The proportion of Dachshunds who died of disc herniation had slightly increased between the periods 1995-1998 and 1999-2002. Herniated disc is eight times more common in Dachshunds than the average dog.

Dachshund Risk Factors

A third of Dachshund deaths were due to traffic accidents, they are hit by a train, drowning or they disappear - hunting or otherwise.

Road accidents are more common among Dachshunds than the average dog

The second most common cause of death - accidents - affects Dachshund almost twice as much as the average dog. Death by accident is also more common among males than females.

Dachshunds disappear during hunting

The fourth most common cause of death is "lost during the hunt" for the Dachshund, with 0.15 percent of Dachshunds declared dead every year for that reason. This compares with the average for all dogs, which is 0.03% per year.

Dogs are more likely to visit the vet than bitches

15.2 percent male Dachshunds, compared with 14.2 per cent females visit the vet. The most common reason for veterinary visits due to illness for the bitches is mammary tumor.

Dachshunds visit the vet less than the average dog

Generally, the proportion of Dachshunds that make extensive veterinary visits due to illness is less than the average dog, and this applies at all ages except 11 to 13 years. In that age range about 22 percent of all dogs, including Dachshunds, make at least one visit to the vet a year due to illness or injury.

The frequency of vet visits by Dachshunds increased

Between the periods 1995-1998 and 1999-2002, however, the number of veterinary visits for Dachshunds increased by almost 24 percent. Looking at the average dog, the proportion who visited a vet one or more times per year increased by about 18 percent.

The original report is here (pdf download, in Swedish).