Illness Severity

In 2009 Asher et al proposed a Generic Illness Severity Index for Dogs [GISID] (Note: 1). The scale was based on similar severity indices from human medicine and comprises four dimensions, each of which is scored on a five-point scale:

• • Prognosis – to reflect whether the disease is chronic or acute

  • Treatment – to include factors related to the medical, surgical and side-effects of treatment

  • Complications – to show the potential for other impacts associated with treatment

  • Behaviour – to show the effect on the dog's quality of life

Generic Illness Severity Index for dogs (GISID):

Source: Asher et al 2009: Inherited Conditions in Pedigree Dogs Part 1.

By scoring a disease against each of the four scales, the severity of different conditions can be compared.

In their two Research Papers (Notes: 1 & 2), Asher et al report minimum and maximum GISID scores for a range of conditions they had reviewed from the published literature. Some of their research highlighted conditions reported in Dachshunds, but other conditions were not specifically highlighted in the breed. It is important to note that their research only took data reported against MSHDs and MLHDs. We have summarised the minimum and maximum GISID scores for diseases reported in their papers.

The Table below shows disease conditions sorted by GISID score, from highest to lowest, taking the “Maximum” scores for each condition. Conditions in Yellow were specifically reported against Dachshunds in the source Research Papers. Those in green were not specifically reported for Dachshunds, but there is no reason to believe their severity would be significantly different if they had been for Dachshunds rather than other breeds. The order of the conditions would have been virtually the same had the list been sorted on Minimum GISID score. To view the disease conditions in alphabetical order, click on the "Sorted by Disease" link at the bottom of the list.

The list of diseases below should not be taken to mean these conditions are prevalent in UK Dachshunds. It is simply presented as an order of Severity.