IVDD In Dog's And Pet's (Intervertebral Disc Disease) Including Conservative Treatment Options

What is IVDD?

Intervertebral disc disease in dogs (IVDD in dogs) is a problem with the discs between the bones of the spine. These discs can weaken, bulge, tear, or harden, and then press on the spinal cord or nearby nerves. That pressure can cause pain, leg weakness, trouble walking or balancing, and in severe cases, partial or total paralysis.

Two main groups of dogs are affected:

• Congenital/genetic breeds: Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, poodles, Cavoodles and similar breeds are predisposed. Genetic factors can weaken disc soft tissue or harden the central nucleus (nucleus pulposus), causing early disc deterioration, disc herniation, or nerve compression.
• Age-related/large-breed cases: Older, larger dogs develop chronic disc degeneration and thickening that gradually protrudes and compresses neural structures. This degenerative process can get worse over time causing the symptoms to get worse over time.

IVDD occurs in two main forms:

• Type I (Hansen type I): Acute (sudden) rupture of a degenerating disc nucleus causing sudden, severe signs. Common in short-legged breeds (e.g., Dachshunds, Beagles, Corgis).
• Type II (Hansen type II): Gradual disc protrusion from chronic degeneration and thickening, producing progressive, less abrupt symptoms in older, larger dogs.

Intervertebral discs normally cushion vertebrae and protect nerves. When discs fail, affected dogs experience pain and neurologic delays that require veterinary assessment and treatment.

Here is a YouTube video that explains the condition fairly well:

IVDD EXPLAINED

https://youtu.be/u3DFNXvUEH0

 

What Causes IVDD?

Most of the evidence from research being done on the cause of IVDD in dogs shows that the hereditary factors are the most significant causes. This means that if the parents have the disease, there is a high chance it will be passed down to the puppies'. 

There are other factors that can also play a role however: nutrition, level of exercise, and the environment they are in can also play a role in how severe the problem may become. It can also occur as dogs age and their spine starts to show signs of weakening over time allowing disc degeneration.

The underlying cause involves the loss of a healthy normal disc structure and cushioning, leading to the disc material pushing on spinal nerves or the spinal cord inside the spinal column- commonly known as a "slipped disc", herniated disc or bulging disc causing a spinal cord compression and possible nerve damage.

Symptoms of IVDD In Dogs (Intervertebral disc disease)

Common clinical signs of intervertebral disc disease in dogs (IVDD) include:

• back pain or neck pain, 
• reluctance to move,
• abnormal gait (wobbly when walking)
• hindlimb weakness,
• knuckling of paws or dragging of the legs, 
• in severe cases, inability to walk or use the back legs (paralysis)
• Unable to urinate by themselves (bladder retention), or incontinence (bladder leaks uncontrollably.

These are the more common and obvious signs, however there may be more subtle signs to watch out for in the early stages:

• arching of the back
• holding their head down when walking
• reluctant to jump up onto couches or use stairs

Diagnosis is made by a combination of clinical examination, neurological (nerve) assessment, and imaging techniques (X‑rays[radiograph], myelography, CT, or MRI). To know for sure (definitive diagnosis) advanced imaging such as an MRI is required to know exactly where the pressure is being placed on the spinal cord. Advanced imaging is the most precise for surgical planning and unclear cases; decisions vary by vet, how severe it is, and resources available.

The Stages of IVDD in dogs

The symptoms range from being mild and not very obvious, all the way through to severe. There are categories that we can group them into. Starting from the mildest to the most severe:

Grade 1: 

• Mild pain or discomfort,
•  arching of the back,
• hesitating using stairs
• not as active as normal,
• Can settle down within 5-14 days if rested but can also get worse.

Grade 2: 

• Moderate to severe pain in the neck or lower back area
• May yelp in pain when moving or being picked up,
• they may find it very hard to get comfortable when trying to lie down.

Grade 3:

• Partial paralysis causing a wobbly walk and weak back legs.

Grade 4:

• Paralysed in the back legs (unable to walk at all or use the back legs to stand or move)
• can feel the back feet being pinched squeezed and can move the legs away a little bit.
• Bladder control could be affected as well.

Grade 5:

• Paralysed (usually in the back legs)- spinal cord is severely affected
• bladder incontinence, bowel incontinence
•  cannot feel the back legs being squeezed or pinched at all,
• cannot move the feet away when pinched.

Which breed's are affected?

Risk factors include:

• breeds (short-legged, long‑backed dogs are mostly affected), 
• age, 
• obesity, 
• Lots of jumping or twisting motions,
• genetics (Whether the parents had back problems or not).

While there are a number of dog breeds ranging from small to large breed dogs that can be affected by this condition, there are certain breeds that are more commonly affected by this disease:

• German shepherd
• Dachshund
• French Bulldog
• Poodle
• Cavoodle : (although technically not a pure breed, there seems to be an increasingly large number of cavoodle's being affected more than pure bred poodles).
• Shihtzu
• Laza Apso
• Corgi
• Basset Hound

Most of the breeds affected by their parents are the breeds that have a type of dwarfism (called chondrodystrophic), which means they have short legs or long bodies or both. It is a type of Dwarfism that is within the genes of their parents which can weaken their spine and place extra load and pressure on the discs in their spine. Think Dachshunds, French bulldogs, British Bulldogs or Corgi's.

 

Should I act quickly?

If you are seeing early signs of IVDD in your dog such as:

• arched back
• an unusual walk
• reluctant to jump up onto the couch or use stairs
• not wanting to be as playful as normal.
• resting more often
• reluctant to walk their normal length walks
• the muscles on either side of their spine twitch when touched or are wasting away.

Early intervention with things in place to protect their spine and possibly to strengthen their spine can be helpful to reduce the risk of the signs getting worse before the pressure (compression) on the spinal cord gets worse.

If you are seeing more serious signs such as:

• Losing the ability to walk or become wobbly
• severe pain in the back or neck area
• yelping when touched
• Unable to walk and dragging their back legs (complete paralysis)
• Loss of bladder control or bowel control (incontinence)
• Unable to urinate (bladder retention) -rare but can happen
• Unable to feel their back toes being pinched (deep pain)

These are very serious signs that need immediate attention and a trip to your veterinarian for further investigation and medication is necessary.

In either possibilities whether it is mild symptoms or severe, taking early action can improve the outcome of the injury.

Treatment of IVDD

 Treatment options to protect the spinal cord range from: 

• conservative treatment: Rest, medical pain relief, anti‑inflammatories (medical management), alternative therapies, and natural supplements.
• surgical Treatment: surgical procedures to decompress the spinal cord in severe cases.

Treatment Options

Standard Conservative Treatment

Conservative treatment involves strict rest (usually in a crate or enclosed area) as well as anti-inflammatory medication you would get from your veterinarian. 

This is a successful way of assisting the spine to heal because the anti-inflammatories help to reduce the swelling around the spinal cord (which is causing compression on the nerves) from the disc material, and is then allowing the pressure to ease off the nerves.

Over time and continued rest the neurological dysfunction can slowly recover and the spinal cord begins to come back to normal function as the disc material starts to shrink. Nerve function restores and their symptoms start to improve. 

The process can be slow (3-6 months) but with patience and strict environments (keeping them crated, or in a pen, not allowed on slippery floors etc) the results can be very good. Especially when accompanied with other forms of treatment such as the natural conservative treatments mentioned below.

Natural Treatment Options For IVDD

Acupuncture - A natural and Safe Option

One of the biggest benefits of acupuncture is that it’s a natural and safe option with minimal side effects. It can be used alongside other treatments like medication or physical therapy, making it a versatile part of a comprehensive IVDD treatment plan. Typically, I recommend acupuncture with other therapies such as infrared laser therapy and mild chiropractic techniques (activator method only, not manual adjustments) to help stimulate nerve activity.

Acupuncture helps by:

• Relieving Pain
• Reducing Inflammation
• Improving mobility and nerve function
  
  Many dogs with spinal injuries or IVDD show improvement in their ability to walk and move within 3-4 weeks of acupuncture treatment.
  Supporting Overall Healing: Acupuncture works holistically, supporting the entire body’s healing process. This is particularly important for dachshunds with IVDD, as it helps strengthen their overall health and resilience.

Acupuncture can also be used to maintain health and a strong spine. Typically, I recommend regular maintenance treatments every 4-8 weeks, depending on the severity of the IVDD case to help to ease discomfort or support freedom of movement in the spine.

Infrared Laser Therapy

Like acupuncture, laser therapy lessens pain, relaxes muscles, and improves circulation. It does this by altering the activity of the cells and tissue around the spine by means of light (photons) instead of an acupuncture needle or manual pressure. 

 It works by sending a very specific type of infrared light into the muscle tissue, joint or nerve tissue, which stimulates the cells within the area to release a chemical (endorphin). This endorphin has an immediate pain relieving sensation which allows the soft tissue in the area relax and ease their discomfort.

The LASER also has the effect of stimulating the cells to produce more ATP (energy), which can improve the rate of recovery and allows the muscle/ nerve/ joint tissue to recover from injury faster. This treatment is extremely effective on animals and allows the patients to receive treatment, even if they don't like the idea of acupuncture.

Chiropractic Techniques

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that focus's on the health of the spine and nerves within and around the spine.

The ultimate goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to help restore nerve flow so the body can go back to healthy nerve function.

It is based on the removal of nerve interference by slightly repositioning vertebral segments which we refer to as a chiropractic adjustment.

Most of us may be familiar with the Manual adjustment that produces a popping sound as the vertebrae are realigned with the lower body being rotated or moved; I do not recommend this type of adjustment for IVDD cases due to the amount of swelling around the region and may cause more damage or compression of the spinal cord from the fast movement and force required.

In contrast, the Activator method utilises a hand-held instrument (an activator) that delivers a precise adjustment with only a light clicking sound from the instrument. By delivering an extremely fast but relatively light percussion (pressure) to either side of the vertebrae, specific nerves that attach to the spinal segments and ligaments (mechanoreceptors) are stimulated to assist in allowing the nervous system and vertebral segments (spine) to return to normal function.

In our clinic, we use a method called 'Veterinary Orthopaedic Manipulation', which is a form of treatment using the activator for all conditions that we treat.

When used correctly and safely, the activator is particularly important in the treatment of cases of IVDD and other neurological conditions affecting the spinal column such as spinal paralysis, spondylosis (arthritis in the spine), herniated/prolapsed intravertebral disc injuries, cervical spondylopathy (Wobbler Syndrome), degenerative myelopathy and urinary incontinence.

To learn more about this form of treatment, go to: www.animalholistictherapies.com.au

 

Surgical Intervention: 

There are two main types of surgery done for IVDD cases: Hemilaminectomy and Fenestration. The goal of surgery in both types of procedures is to remove any material pushing on the nerves to reduce the pressure and to reduce the risk of damage to the spinal cord.

These are the most common procedures done for mid to lower back disc injuries that is compressing the nerves (Thoracolumbar region).

What is done: The veterinary surgeon removes a segment of bone from the side of the spinal segment (vertebrae) as a "window" to see inside the spine into the spinal canal (the tunnel in the centre of the spine). With this window into the canal this allows access to the affected area of the spinal cord to remove the disc material that is putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Surgery may cause the symptoms to get worse following surgery due to the inflammation from the procedure, however if the surgery was successful the swelling should come down quickly (within a few weeks) and nerve activity to the hind legs should improve. 

There are some cases however where the nerve activity in the hind legs does not improve after surgery: There is no change, or the symptoms may have actually worsened. This could be from the swelling and inflammation that may have occured from the surgery itself, or if there was a complication with the surgery and nerves may have been damaged during the operation. If this occurs and there is no improvement 4-6 weeks after surgery, then the chance of recovery (prognosis) is not good.

This is unfortunately one of the risks of surgery and these risks need to be weighed up by the dog owners and thought through before you decide to go ahead with surgery as a treatment option. 

Supplements - Do They Really Help?

Supplements include naturally occurring minerals, oils, and herbal extracts that may assist in helping the body heal more effectively and to assist in reducing the risk of the issue happening in the future.

There are lots of different supplements out there that could be used to assist with ageing dogs and spinal issues, however some are more suited to back issues and IVDD than others.

For instance, joints supplements that contain glucosamine sulfate (a mineral made from shellfish) has been shown to be beneficial for joint problems and mild arthritis, however there is not much evidence to suggest it is effective for Spinal problems.

Be sure to use supplements that help their bodies make more collagen and may assist in reducing swelling/discomfort in soft tissue rather than helping with cartilage repair.

Caring for a dog with IVDD

Acute (sudden onset emergency) - what to do now?.

• carry like a plank- Support chest and hips, keep the spine level.
• No stairs, no couch/ no jumping
• crate rest until you can see a vet or health care professional.
• avoid stretching the legs encouraging them to walk, as this can cause pain.

Go to an ER/vet immediately if:

• sudden inability to walk or rapidly worsening
• weakness/loss of bladder control or inability to urinate
• loss of deep pain sensation (only a vet or trained professional practitioner should assess this)
• uncontrolled pain (shaking, screaming, can’t settle)
• symptoms after a jump/fall + rapidly worsening

Conservative Management - What to do going forward.

• consistent regular gentle exercise - regular walking.
• regular check up's with your vet or health professional that specialises in spinal issues- If you catch it early then that is your best chance of avoiding a sudden severe episode.
• Right supplementation- Choosing the right supplement for your dog and being consistent with it. Regular use of the supplement's give them the best chance of being successful.
• Keep them lean and avoid being overweight- The more weight they carry the more pressure on their back.

 

Tips to Protect your dog's spine at home

There are many things that you can do as an owner to help to protect your dog's back at home if they are affected by IVDD.

• Avoid jumping up and down from couches, lounges. Either place a dog ramp there or avoid couch use completely.
• Avoid running and playing on slippery floors
• walk them on a harness rather than a collar to avoid excessive pressure on the neck and back.
• No ball chasing and stick chasing - the fast change of direction when stopping or turning can put a lot of pressure on their backs.
• Block Stairs completely
• Place runners on the floor or toe grips/'paw protectors' on their hind legs to help giving them grip.
• when choosing a bed for them, make sure they have something to rest their head on- like a cushioned ring around the outside or a small pillow. This eases the pressure in the neck and upper back. Especially important for French Bulldogs.
• safe lifting technique - One hand under chest and one hand under pelvis to keep their back as straight as possible.

 

You didn’t cause this. IVDD happens—especially in certain breeds—and it can show up even when you’re doing everything right. What matters now is that you’re paying attention and getting your dog the care they need. Whether you choose conservative treatment or surgery, you’re making a thoughtful decision with the best information you have.

And the good news is many dogs do beautifully after an IVDD episode. Even if mobility looks a little different for a while, your dog can still have a full, happy life—because what they want most is you: safety, comfort, and time together.

 

FAQ

 Are all disc ruptures or protrusions treated with surgery?

No, not all cases require surgery. Recently, there was a study done by Cambridge University of England to compare the success of surgery VS conservative treatment and the results were very interesting. One group of dogs suffering from IVDD were treated with surgery, and the other group were treated with the conservative approach (medication and strict rest).

After 12 weeks they were re-assesed. The number of dogs that recovered to being able to walk without help from each group was THE SAME. This suggests that regardless of which approach you take: whether its conservative or surgery, the success rate to recovery is very similar, (Khan, 2024). To read more about this interesting study, click on the link below.

Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion - PMC

Can IVDD in Dogs be prevented?

Yes and no. The genetic type of IVDD we see in dachshunds that is passed down from parentage, cannot be stopped or prevented once the pup is born. It can be managed but it's always a risk.

However, there are many things that can be done to help reduce the risk of acute episodes or incidents causing the signs and symptoms mentioned above in the article. reduce the risk of them causing stress or strain on their spines such as jumping off and on couches/beds, avoid playing on slippery floors, use exercises to strengthen their back and hind legs and supplements to support their spine, keep them slim and fit.

Can a dog recover from IVDD?

Absolutely yes, however it never goes away completely. Once the symptoms have resolved and they are almost back to normal life, there is always the risk of it happening again due to the weakness in the spine.

All we can do is try to strengthen the spine and the muscles around the spine as best we can to reduce the risk of it happening again.

Can my dog rupture a disc again?

Yes, and it may not be at the same position as it was the first time. It's not uncommon to see dogs that have had multiple episodes. Whether they have surgery or not. It just has to be dealt with if it comes back. However, there are ways to help reduce the risk of it happening again. 

Is my dog's breed at risk of IVDD?

While there are a number of dog breeds ranging from small to large breed dogs that can be affected by this condition, there are certain breeds that are more commonly affected by this disease:

• German shepherd
• Dachshund
• French Bulldog
• Poodle
• Cavoodle : (although technically not a pure breed, there seems to be an increasingly large number of cavoodle's being affected more than pure bred poodles).
• Shihtzu
• Laza Apso
• Corgi
• Basset Hound

What are the stages of IVDD in dogs ?

There are five stages of IVDD in dogs. Stage 1 through to stage 5. The are discussed in this article in detail.

What are the first signs of IVDD in dogs?

If you are seeing early signs of IVDD in your dog such as:

• arched back
• an unusual walk
• reluctant to jump up onto the couch or use stairs
• not wanting to be as playful as normal.
• resting more often
• reluctant to walk their normal length walks
• the muscles on either side of their spine twitch when touched
• muscles on either side of the spine are wasting away and you can see the bones of the spine when they are standing up.

Early intervention with things in place to protect their spine and possibly to strengthen their spine can be helpful to reduce the risk of the signs getting worse before the pressure (compression) on the spinal cord gets worse.

Is medication needed ?

In my experience yes, medication is absolutely necessary to assist in the early stages of recovery. There are two main categories of medication that are needed:

1) Anti-inflammatory medication - either in the form of a Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) or a steroidal anti-inflammatory. Your vet will choose the right option for your pup. Both cannot be used together - it's one or the other.

2) Pain Killer's- Helpful to alleviate the nerve pain they may be experiencing. This is important to help them rest and for the muscles to relax. If they are in constant pain it can reduce the chance of recovery.

There are other medications that may be used with these meds above, however in my experience these 2 categories of medication are necessary together at the beginning of early onset. 

There may be some side effects from these medications, but they can be managed for a short period of time to ensure they have the best chance of recovering.

• watch out for any digestive upsets like vomiting, diarrhoea, or black stools. If you are noticing this: call your vet as they may need to change their medication to one that is right for your dog.

What is the main cause of IVDD?

Most of the evidence from research being done on the cause of IVDD in dogs shows that the hereditary factors are the most significant causes. This means that if the parents have the disease, there is a high chance it will be passed down to the puppies'. 

There are other factors that can also play a role however: nutrition, level of exercise, and the environment they are in can also play a role in how severe the problem may become. It can also occur as dogs age and their spine starts to show signs of weakening over time allowing disc degeneration.

Are there alternative treatments for dogs with IVDD besides surgery?

Yes, there are many options for treating IVDD without surgery. Not all cases require surgery, and not everyone can afford the surgery. Options range from strict crate rest through to acupuncture and infrared laser therapy. Alternative treatment options are mentioned above in more detail.

Note From The Author

As an alternative treatment specialist, I have dedicated my career to specialising in the treatment of IVDD and spinal injuries, particularly involving paralysis. In my experience, the statistics mentioned above about conservative treatments success compared to surgical treatment success hold true when no additional treatment options are employed. 

However, when acupuncture and infrared laser therapy are incorporated, both the recovery rate and overall quality of recovery improve dramatically. For example, in grade 5 cases - where there is complete paralysis and no sensation in the hind legs - the recovery success rate can increase from 50% to between 70-80% when these therapies are added. For lower grade, the success rate is even higher up to 98%.

It is also important to note that if surgical intervention does not yield the desired results, even with adjunct treatments such as acupuncture and laser therapy, the recovery success rate tends to remain around 50%. This is often due to the extent of scar tissue formation and other complications that can arise from surgery.

Regular daily supplements specifically formulated for spinal health play a critical role in maintaining spinal strength and overall function. Standard joint supplements simply don’t cut it in my experience. You need one that supports the spinal tissues, reduces inflammation naturally, and supports collagen production rather than cartilage repair..

In my experience, patients who have successfully recovered from a spinal paralysis incident but then discontinue regular, ongoing supplement use and treatments are at a much higher risk for another injury or paralysis episode. Unfortunately, a second incident is often more challenging to recover from than the first.