Dog Ruptured Disc: Signs, Emergency Red Flags and Recovery

Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is a neurologic condition in which the protective material around the spinal cord has undergone some kind of change, and the result can be pain, loss of function, or paralysis.¹ It is a common source of back pain in dogs, especially older dogs, but also younger dogs of predisposed breeds.² There is more background in our full guide to IVDD in dogs. If your dog cannot walk, call your vet today.

What a ruptured disc actually is

A ruptured disc means one of the cushioning discs between your dog's back bones has been damaged and pushed up against the delicate spinal cord, which is often called disc herniation.² That cushion can either bulge next to the spinal cord because of inflammation, or rupture because it is damaged.¹ With age, disks can become brittle, and little pieces can dry out and break off, causing damage to the spinal cord.¹

About 65% of IVDD problems are in the thoracolumbar region (the back), while about 18% are in the neck alone.² Breeds such as Dachshunds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Basset Hounds have short legs and a long body that is low to the ground,¹ and Dachshunds alone account for an estimated 40 to 75% of all IVDD cases, often affected by 3 to 6 years of age.² Any dog can develop IVDD.¹

Signs of a ruptured disc, and which ones are an emergency

Signs range widely, from mild discomfort to paralysis.² Dogs may limp, drag their legs, or hunch their back.¹ Other signs include looking drunk while walking, avoiding jumping on furniture, difficulty getting into a position to poop, refusing to eat because of pain, and difficulty urinating or passing stool.¹

All of these symptoms require immediate veterinary attention, and the absolute emergency is a dog unable to walk.¹ In dogs that are deteriorating or no longer walking, the vet checks for "deep pain" by applying an unpleasant stimulus to the toe tip, and a dog with no response at all needs the pressure taken off the spinal cord immediately.¹

How a ruptured disc is diagnosed

The first step is a thorough physical exam, which is often all that is needed in a mild case, although X-rays may be done as well.² For dogs with more than mild pain, a referral to a veterinary neurologist may be recommended, along with specialized imaging.² These tests also tell your vet whether the problem is disc degeneration or something else, such as a growth.²

Surgery or crate rest: how the choice is made

The decision turns on how severe the signs are and how fast they are changing. Mild cases may be managed medically, at least initially, with restricted activity and medication prescribed by your vet.² Sometimes that means a crate or playpen where your dog cannot walk around much or jump on anything.¹

If surgery is recommended, do not wait: the longer you wait, the greater the chance the spinal cord degenerates to a point where it might not recover.² Surgery removes the disc material that has pushed out and lifts the pressure off the spinal cord.² Without surgery, ongoing pressure can cause irreparable damage and permanent paralysis.¹

What recovery usually looks like

Dogs who have spinal surgery need crate rest first, then strictly controlled exercise while they heal, may need help going to the bathroom, must be watched for pressure sores, and recovery can take months.² In one study of dogs with the most severe injury, 75% had regained the ability to walk three months after surgery.³

Where a rear support wheelchair fits in

A wheelchair is for the stretch after your vet clears weight-bearing activity, and for dogs whose back legs do not come all the way back. A cart does not fix the disc itself; it is a mobility device a vet may recommend when paralysis affects the hind limbs and your dog's front legs are strong enough to get them around.¹

The OldPal Rear Support Dog Wheelchair comes in five sizes covering rear leg heights from 3 to 27 inches. The padded harness carries weight through the hips and chest rather than the spine, and dogs can squat to go to the bathroom while in it. Build up slowly, a few supervised minutes at a time, keep the chair off stairs, and check the skin at every strap contact point. Email help@oldpalpets.com with a photo and a measurement if you are unsure of size.

Home care for a down or weak dog

Helpful measures include rugs, carpets or yoga mats on hardwood or tiled surfaces, pet ramps or steps where necessary, a sling or harness to assist with walking and standing, booties to protect scuffed paws, and keeping a healthy weight.⁴ Supportive care also includes soft bedding and frequent repositioning to prevent pressure sores, help emptying the bladder if your dog cannot urinate independently, and keeping the dog clean and dry to prevent skin irritation.⁵ Dogs that cannot empty the bladder properly can suffer urinary retention and urinary tract infections.¹

Rehab that makes the wheelchair work better

Veterinary rehabilitation uses targeted physical therapies such as massage, therapeutic exercise, heat, cold, nerve stimulation, ultrasound, laser and hydrotherapy (water-based exercise) to improve mobility and reduce pain.⁶ As recovery progresses, rehab may include laser therapy and underwater treadmill work, with exercises prescribed at home and a gradually increasing program of walks.² In one study after disc surgery, dogs doing supervised underwater treadmill work walked independently sooner than dogs doing owner-guided exercises.⁷ A veterinary referral is often required for rehabilitation therapy.⁶

Is it a disc, or something else?

Pain is the big clue. Degenerative myelopathy is a spinal cord disease causing slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis,⁸ and most affected dogs do not seem in pain, just very weak.⁸ With fibrocartilaginous embolism, a blockage of blood flow to the spinal cord, signs come on suddenly, dogs typically cry out, the pain usually subsides within minutes, and weakness or paralysis develops quickly.⁹ Other causes of the same picture include spinal injuries, spinal tumors, lumbosacral stenosis (narrowing in the lower spine) and myasthenia gravis (a disorder causing muscle weakness),⁸ and early signs can resemble arthritis.⁸

Reducing the risk of a second rupture

Spinal injuries are hard to prevent, but you can reduce the odds: keep your dog trim and fit, and minimize stairs and jumping on and off a deck, bed or sofa.² Walking is safe for any dog; leaping for a thrown toy, not so much.² Catching IVDD early can help avoid a recurrence.¹

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How to measure your dog for a wheelchair, with a fit finder that turns one rear leg measurement into a size.

Sources

Related guides

• Dog Spinal Problems: Causes of Weak Back Legs and What Helps
• Spinal Injuries in Dogs: Signs, Emergency Care and Recovery Odds
• Spinal Stroke in Dogs (FCE): Signs, Emergency Steps and Recovery
• Signs of IVDD in Dogs: What to Watch For and When It Is an Emergency
• IVDD Dog Life Expectancy: What Severity Says About Your Dog's Outlook