IVDD in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Recovery

What it is

Discs are the shock-absorbing cushions between the bones of the spine. Each has a gel-like center inside a tougher outer ring. With age, or in certain breeds much earlier, discs can harden and lose flexibility. If a disc bulges or ruptures, it pushes into the spinal canal and bruises and compresses the spinal cord. That is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

Most herniations happen in the mid to lower back, and less often in the neck. The signs depend on where the disc is and how much damage it does: pain, reluctance to move or jump, a hunched posture, yelping, a wobbly or knuckling back end, and, in severe cases, paralysis and loss of bladder control. In short-legged, long-backed breeds, disc problems often appear in young adulthood. In larger breeds, disc degeneration usually shows up after about age 5 and signs often worsen gradually.

How well a dog recovers depends largely on how much function is left when treatment begins, and especially on whether the dog can still feel deep pain in its legs. See limping for other causes of sudden lameness.

Causes and risk factors

What you can do at home

If you notice back or neck pain, a wobbly back end, or any weakness, call your vet right away, because IVDD can worsen quickly. Do not wait to see if it passes.

Until your dog is seen, limit movement: keep your dog in a small, quiet space such as a crate or pen, and avoid stairs, jumping, and rough play. Extra activity can push the disc further into the spinal cord. Take bathroom breaks on a leash and keep them short.

If your vet prescribes crate rest, follow it strictly. It usually runs for a few weeks, and Merck cautions that pain and anti-inflammatory medicines should generally be used only if the dog can be kept on strict rest, since extra activity can push the disc further into the cord. Use a body harness instead of a neck lead, and use ramps or steps instead of jumping.

Never give human pain medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen on your own. The FDA warns they can cause stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and liver damage in dogs. Use only the pain relief your vet prescribes. Dogs that cannot walk may need help emptying the bladder, and your vet will show you how.

What happens at the vet

Your vet will ask when signs began and examine your dog's posture, gait, reflexes, and spinal pain. The goal is to find out where along the spine the problem is and how severe it is, including whether your dog can still feel pain in the toes. X-rays may be taken first. Dogs with more than mild pain are often referred to a veterinary neurologist for MRI or CT, which show the disc and spinal cord in detail.

Treatment depends on severity. Dogs with mild signs who can still feel pain are often treated with strict rest for a few weeks, with pain relief and sometimes muscle relaxants. Surgery is recommended for severe signs, for dogs who do not improve with rest, and for those who relapse. The surgeon removes bone over the spinal canal to take pressure off the cord. Timing matters: Cornell stresses that owners should not wait once surgery is recommended, and Merck notes recovery chances drop if surgery is delayed more than 24 hours after a dog loses pain sensation.

After surgery, dogs need strict rest, help with bathroom needs, and often rehabilitation such as laser therapy or underwater treadmill work. Recovery takes weeks to months, and IVDD can recur.

Prevention

IVDD cannot always be prevented, especially in breeds with an inherited tendency, but you can reduce strain on your dog's spine. Keep your dog at a healthy weight, because extra weight adds stress to the back; see obesity in dogs.

Cornell suggests limiting stairs and jumping on and off sofas, beds, and decks, so a ramp or pet steps can help, and choosing sensible activity. Walking is safe for most dogs, while leaping for a thrown toy is a poorer choice for a long-backed dog. The ACVS lists switching from a neck lead to a body harness among helpful lifestyle changes. Keep your dog fit with regular, moderate exercise.

Genetic testing for the FGF4 retrogene is available and can estimate risk, and Cornell says breeders can use results to plan matings. It should be weighed alongside the dog's overall health, not used alone. If you share your life with a Dachshund or another short-legged, long-backed breed, learn the warning signs now. Early treatment gives the best chance of a good recovery.