Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs

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.

Overview

• IVDD is the most common spinal disease in dogs.
• Breeds with short legs and long bodies – like the Dachshund – are at higher risk, but any breed can be affected.
• Trauma can damage discs, but there are two main types of degenerative disc disease – Hansen type 1 and Hansen type 2.
• Damaged discs press on the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, incontinence, and paralysis in severe cases.
• Treatment options range from pain relief, rest and physiotherapy to surgery.

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:

• Dachshunds
• Beagles
• Corgis
• French Bulldogs
• Cocker Spaniels
• Pugs

Larger breeds more commonly develop Hansen type 2 disc disease, which can have a slower onset. These include:

• German Shepherds
• Dobermans
• Labrador Retrievers

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:

• problems weeing or pooing
• back or neck pain
• wobbling or stumbling
• knuckling or dragging paws
• tensed or arched back
• panting, shaking or shivering
• refusing to move (walking or jumping)
• weakness

Diagnosis

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.

Want to understand the reality of IVDD treatment and emergency care? Listen to our podcast episode with veterinary neurologist Dr Mark Lowrie and Dachshund owner Davina: IVDD in dogs: Be prepared before you need to be.

With mild signs, your vet may recommend a less invasive approach to treatment, including:

• anti-inflammatories and pain relief
• strict crate rest with on-lead toilet breaks
• helping your dog go to the toilet and cleaning them if they have accidents
• following a strict exercise plan laid out by your vet
• reducing slip and fall risks by using rugs, mats and ramps

Prognosis

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:

• inability to wee or poo
• loss of feeling
• severe pain or lack of pain
• partial to complete paralysis

Immediately contact your vet if your dog shows any signs of paralysis or is rapidly declining.

Diagnosis

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.

Prognosis

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.