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Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a painful condition where the spinal cord becomes squashed by a ruptured or bulging intervertebral disc. It often affects breeds such as Dachshunds, Corgis and French Bulldogs. IVDD can cause pain, incontinence, weakness, and even paralysis. This guide looks at the main symptoms of IVDD and what to expect if your dog develops the condition.
Intervertebral discs sit between your dog’s backbones. Their jelly-like centre and tough outer shell cushion movement and act as shock absorbers. There are two main ways these discs deteriorate:
Hansen type 1 happens when the jelly centre hardens and – after a jump, fall, twist or a knock – the disc bursts and the centre shoots out, pressing on the spinal cord.
Hansen type 2 typically affects older dogs. The outer wall of the disc slowly thickens and begins to bulge towards the spinal cord. Symptoms can come on slowly or suddenly.
Smaller breeds, especially those with long backs and short legs, are more at risk of developing Hansen type 1 disc disease and sudden ruptures, including:
Larger breeds more commonly develop Hansen type 2 disc disease, which can have a slower onset. These include:
IVDD can develop suddenly without warning, or it can come on gradually. Taking action as soon as you see milder symptoms can reduce the chances of more severe ones developing.
Milder symptoms include:
If you think your dog is showing early signs of IVDD, contact your vet. Diagnosis usually involves assessing the history, clinical signs and physical exam findings, along with X-rays and advanced imaging such as MRI.
With mild signs, your vet may recommend a less invasive approach to treatment, including:
By carefully following your vet’s advice, your dog may regain some – or all – of their strength and sensation. But this can take weeks or months. Even after a full recovery, the disc that caused the problem doesn’t return to normal, so long-term lifestyle changes are essential to reduce future flare-ups.
Dogs with severe IVDD can have symptoms such as:
Immediately contact your vet if your dog shows any signs of paralysis or is rapidly declining.
In addition to physical exam findings that help decide if surgery is the best option, your dog will need advanced imaging to pinpoint the location of the disc problem.
If your dog’s IVDD is severe, for example they are paralysed or in extreme pain, your vet will talk to you about disc surgery. Dogs who have lost deep pain sensation are a surgical emergency.
Surgery involves removing a window of bone from the spine, relieving pressure and providing access to remove disc material. Operating next to an already damaged spinal cord carries risks – but for dogs with severe symptoms, surgery offers the best chance of recovery.
Post-surgery recovery can take months or even years. Physical therapy is often needed to help carefully build your dog’s strength back up.
The outlook for a dog with severe IVDD depends on how much permanent damage was done before surgery. Some dogs improve rapidly, for others it takes months. Delays or loss of deep pain sensation reduce the chances of a good outcome. Dogs who remain paralysed can learn to adapt, but persistent pain is harder to manage.
“When your dog suddenly can’t walk and has lost deep pain sensation, getting advanced imaging and surgery (often at a referral centre) becomes a race against time.
“Insurance makes these stressful decisions easier, because IVDD rarely strikes when you’re financially prepared. But as a vet, diagnosing the early cases is the most challenging. I’ve seen dogs who yelped once and then seemed normal right up until they suddenly couldn’t stand.
“Maybe your dog stumbles on occasion, or their nails are wearing unevenly. It can be tempting to put it down to a ‘touch of arthritis’, or perhaps they get stressed and turn into a bit of a firecracker on the examination table. In these situations, subtle signs of IVDD are easy to miss or dismiss.
“That’s why it helps to investigate even mild symptoms when possible. Not to over-test, but to understand what’s actually going on. X-rays don’t always change what we do on the day. But when your dog’s symptoms shift over time – as they often do – having that baseline makes decision-making, including when to refer, much clearer.”
Dr Nicole Olewinski – BVSc MRCVS
If you’re taking out Petgevity Lifetime Plus insurance, we’ll certainly see if we can cover your dog’s IVDD*. You’ll need to tell us all about the condition – and others they’ve had in the last two years – when getting a quote.
Find out more about our dog insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.
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Choosing Petgevity to protect your pets gives you more than just vet fee cover. Here's what you get from our policy.
Dental accident
Covers your pet up to the chosen vet fee limit if they have a dental accident or injury. Always be sure to take your pet for annual dental check-ups, and follow your vet’s advice.
Behavioural treatment
Get expert help with your pet’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as advised by your vet. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount or the cost of up to 12 sessions, whichever is lower (Lifetime Plus); or up to £1,000 (Lifetime).
Complementary therapy
As advised by your vet, this covers alternative treatments like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount (Lifetime Plus); or up to chosen vet fee amount or £1,500, whichever is lower (Lifetime).
Emergency care
If you can’t look after your pet due to an emergency, such as an unplanned hospital visit, this covers you for up to £1,500 (Lifetime Plus) in minding costs.
Third-party liability for dogs
Covers you for legal costs if your dog causes injury to somebody or their pet, or causes loss or damage to someone’s property. Protects you for up to £2 million in a legal action.
Choice of optional extras
Need extra protection? Choose from several optional extras to cover your pet’s needs, including dental illness, or cover if your pet is stolen or lost.
†For Lifetime Plus policies only – details correct as of 10 September 2024 via competitor websites. Competitor products are subject to their own T&Cs and can have different limits and requirements for cats versus dogs at different ages. For full details, please check the relevant policy wording. For full details of Petgevity pet insurance, please read our policy wording.
Although you can’t completely prevent your dog from getting IVDD, there are things you can do to lower the risk.
IVDD surgery can start from £4,000 with costs going above £10,000 depending on whether your dog needs specialist help.
There are also extra costs to think about like post-surgery physiotherapy.
†Lifetime Plus policies only
*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.
**Illnesses and symptoms won’t be covered in the first 14 days and accidents won’t be covered in the first 2 days of the policy. This is unless you are switching from another lifetime pet insurance product with no break in cover and the claim you want to make would have been covered by your previous policy. Other exclusions may apply to other sections.