Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

Let’s get your dog back on their feet!

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a common condition in dogs, particularly in breeds with long backs and short legs, such as Dachshunds and Corgis but can also affect other dogs like Bulldogs. It occurs when the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate or rupture, leading to compression of the spinal cord. This causes pain and leads to weakness, and, in severe cases, paralysis. IVDD is most often seen in the cervical (neck) or thoracolumbar (mid-back) regions of the spine.

Symptoms of IVDD vary depending on the severity and location of the disc problem. Mild cases may cause pain and reluctance to move, while more severe cases can result in significant neurological impairment, such as an inability to walk or loss of bladder control. In some dogs, you may notice a hunched back, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or a sudden onset of dragging of the legs. If left untreated, IVDD can lead to permanent spinal cord damage.

Treatment for IVDD depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, rest and pain control with anti-inflammatory medications may be all that is required. However, in more severe cases or when there is progressive neurological dysfunction, surgery may be necessary. Surgical intervention involves removing the ruptured or damaged disc material to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

If you suspect your dog may have IVDD please call our team immediately on 8552 7800 as early diagnosis and intervention are key to ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.

IVDD Diagnosis and Surgery

$9000including
  • Initial consultaion with one of our experienced vets
  • CT scan read by a radiologist
  • IVDD surgery and first 24 hours of hospitalisation post-operatively
  • Please note: any complications or hospitalisation beyond 24 hours will incur additional costs that would be discussed with you at the time. We do not have direct monitoring overnight but can arrange transfer post operatively at additional cost.
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Diagnosing and Staging IVDD

If we suspect your dog has IVDD, then we can offer x-rays or ideally a contrast CT scan on the same day. Our CT scans are read by a radiologist to help confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact location. That way we can best help guide treatment for your dog.

We know that different breeds have different risk profiles for IVDD injuries. This is mainly based on their anatomy and the longer the back the more likely this can be to happen. We know, for instance, that Dachshunds have a 25% chance of experiencing a degree of IVDD during their life.

Other commonly effected breeds are Corgis, Basset Hounds and French Bulldogs but technically almost any dog can potentially develop IVDD.

The staging of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in dogs is typically based on the severity of clinical signs and neurological deficits:

  1. Stage I (Pain Only): Dogs may show signs of pain, such as reluctance to move, stiffening, or sensitivity to touch. There are no neurological deficits, and the dog is still able to walk. Conservative management is effective 95% of the time.
  2. Stage II (Ambulatory Paraparesis): The dog has weakness in the hind limbs but can still walk with a wobbly gait. There may be mild loss of coordination or balance, but the dog can bear weight. Conservative management is effective 95% of the time.
  3. Stage III (Non-Ambulatory Paraplegia): The dog is unable to walk but can still feel pain in the hind limbs. There may be significant weakness or paralysis, but reflexes are still present. Outcomes are much improved with surgery compared to conservative care.
  4. Stage IV (Paraplegia with Loss of Pain Perception): The dog is unable to move or feel pain in the hind limbs, indicating severe spinal cord damage. This is a critical stage requiring immediate surgery.
  5. Stage V (Severe Paralysis with Complete Loss of Pain Perception): The dog has no movement or sensation in the affected limbs and may also show signs of incontinence. This stage requires urgent surgical intervention to have any chance of recovery.

IVDD Treatment Options

Spinal injuries in dogs can be managed with rest and pain relief in minor cases. However, severe cases have much better outcomes with surgery and we’re here to guide you on that journey.

At Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove, our experienced surgeon Dr Matt Buchanan-Pascall is trained to perform IVDD surgery.

Surgical intervention involves making an incision directly over the effected disc and burring a window into the spinal bone (vertebrae) to removing the ruptured disc material that is putting pressure on the spinal cord. In many cases, surgery can provide significant improvement in the dog’s ability to walk and reduce pain within a few days of surgery, but it is crucial to address the condition early to maximize the chances of recovery. After surgery, physical therapy and a gradual return to normal activities are key o getting the best long term outcome.

Rest and exercise moderation is a key factor for dogs recovering from IVDD surgery. We will guide you throughout the recovery period.

The first 10-14 days include strict cage rest, where the only time your pet comes out of the pen is to go to the toilet (always on lead so they can’t make sudden running movements). We also ask you to ice the surgical site for the first few days post-operatively and then once the swelling has reduce we ask you to start with passive range of motion exercises, which we will demonstrate for you.

From the 2-6 week period your pet will still need to be strictly cage-rested, however we now get you taking them on increasingly longer on-lead walks. These will increase by 5-10 minutes each week, so that a couple of months after surgery they should be tolerating 30 minute walks well.

At 8-12 weeks and if recovery is on track then we can instruct you to continue to increase exercise intensity and frequency with confidence. After 4 months of healing your furbaby should be ready to run around again and go back to a normal life!

Every surgical procedure has potential complications and studies show that there is up to 10% complication rates in IVDD surgeries. For this reason, CT scanning is critical to confirm the diagnosis and narrow down the exact areas of the spine that are effected.

The complications range from bleeding at the time of surgery, to infections at the surgical site, local nerve damage, dropping of abdominal muscles and worsening neurological condition despite surgical intervention. Although some complications require further intervention and would incur additional costs, we always work with you to get the best outcome possible for your pet.

Recovery and Ongoing Care

In all cases of cruciate surgery the home care you provide plays the biggest role in your pet’s quality of life long term. We will help guide you on that journey.

We know that weight is a key factor in increasing the risk of IVDD injuries and also predicting the outcome long term. So, keep your dog or cat in a lean, healthy weight throughout it’s growth and then entire adult life. Extra weight on your pet not only increases the load on the joints and puts more strain on them, but we also know that fat cells are ‘pro-inflammatory’, meaning they keep the body and joints in a constant state of inflammation.

The ideal weight is described as the ribs (easily) palpable with minimal fat covering. Waist clearly visible when viewed from above. Abdominal tuck evident – particularly when viewed from the side

Rest and exercise moderation is a key factor for dogs and cats recovering from cruciate surgery. Beyond the post-operative period, it is important to try to prevent any further damage occuring. We know that animals who have had one cruiciate injury are prone to another, so minimising activities that place strain on the cruiciate and moving your pet on to a more gentle exercise regimen are important steps for their ongoing health.

There is lots of help available beyond the cruciate surgery, and these extra treatments can have positive impact during initial recovery and long term outcome. Treatments include referral for physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture. You will be guided as to how often you need to have these procedures performed to optimise recovery.