The Dachshund Back Surgery Survival Guide

Your dachshund just came home from back surgery. This is the calm, step-by-step plan I wish someone had handed me.

On a Sunday in October 2024, my dachshund Oso was running around the yard in the morning. By that night, he couldn't walk. It was IVDD.

He spent the night in the ER. I spent all of Monday calling animal hospitals across Florida until a neurosurgeon in Miami operated that same day. Five days later, I brought him home to crate rest, and realized nobody had given me a plan for what came next.

This guide is that plan.

What it helps you do

• Set up a crate-rest space that keeps their back safe
• Handle potty breaks and accidents without panicking
• Keep every medication and every time straight
• Lift and carry them the safe way
• Know which signs mean "call the vet now"
• Get through the guilt and the 2am worrying

What's inside (20 sections)

• Read This First, and your main job after surgery
• The crate setup that actually works, plus the foam pad accident setup
• Food and water inside the crate
• Medication time with smart little doxies
• Pee accidents, bladder changes and potty breaks
• Incision care, cones, recovery suits and licking
• Keeping your dog calm in the crate, and preventing pressure sores
• What to track every day, and when to call the vet
• Questions to ask at follow-ups
• The emotional part nobody warns you about
• Your post-surgery crate checklist

Who it's for

Dachshund parents whose dog is coming home after IVDD or back surgery, or has surgery coming up. It's written by a dachshund mom who has been there, not by a vet. It does not replace your vet's instructions. It helps you feel steady and organized while you follow them.

Instant download

It's a digital PDF. You get it by email right after checkout and can read it on your phone tonight. Nothing ships.

Want both guides?

Get this guide plus The Dachshund Back Crisis Guide (warning signs, safe lifting, what to tell the vet) together in the Dachshund Back Health Bundle for $24. That's $4 less than buying them separately.

Questions

Is this medical advice?
No. Always follow your veterinarian or neurosurgeon. This guide helps you carry out their plan at home with less stress.

My dog hasn't had surgery yet. Will it still help?
Yes. Reading it before your dog comes home means the crate, the supplies and your routine are ready on day one.

Is it only for dachshunds?
It's written for dachshunds. Many steps apply to any small dog on crate rest, but check with your vet.

After surgery, your dachshund does not need you to be perfect. They need you calm, careful and ready for the next step.

— Naomi & Oso