IVDD in Dogs: What It Means and What to Do Next

The short answer

If someone has just told you your dog has IVDD, here is the plain English version: intervertebral disc disease is the most common spinal problem in dogs, and it happens when a disc degenerates, mostly through a change in the soft jelly-like centre of the disc, known as the nucleus pulposus.¹ When that damaged disc material pushes out, it is one of the most common causes of pressure on the spinal cord, pain and neurological problems, especially in French Bulldogs.²

Diagnosis and treatment belong to your vet. What this guide can do is explain what is going on, what to ask about, and how to keep your dog comfortable and moving while you work through it. If you are already looking ahead to wheels, start with our main page on the IVDD wheelchairs.

Sudden weakness, dragging feet or paralysis is an emergency. Call your vet or an emergency clinic now, not in the morning.

What is IVDD in dogs, and what does it do to the back end

Mechanical stress is concentrated there and there is little spare room inside the spinal canal.³

Researchers looking at disc material removed at surgery found that inflammation is an active part of the disease process, and they suggest it may affect how dogs show signs, through swelling and pressure on the spinal cord.¹

Why do dogs get IVDD

In one study of 74 dogs, Dachshunds with more severe neurological problems actually had less disc degeneration when the discs were examined, which suggests that several factors interact and that the mix may differ between breeds.¹

• Breed and body shape. Certain breeds, especially chondrodystrophic dogs (the short legged, long backed types), are predisposed to severe disc herniation in the mid to lower back because of anatomical and genetic factors.³ Dachshunds were the most common breed in one study of dogs with sudden severe disc extrusion, meaning disc material bursting out.⁴
• Selective breeding. In French Bulldogs, breeding for the flat faced look has increased the breed's tendency toward several neurological disorders.²
• How much room the spinal cord has. A narrower spinal canal appears to make the impact of a disc herniation worse, so canal size looks like a contributing risk factor for how severe the signs are.³
• Age at neutering, possibly. In a look back at French Bulldog records, dogs neutered before 12 months old had a significantly higher risk of disc herniation than intact dogs.² The authors called these results preliminary and suggested the timing of neutering deserves careful thought in this and other predisposed short legged, long backed breeds.² This is a conversation for your vet, not a reason to blame yourself for a decision already made.

Nothing here is your fault. Most owners of an IVDD dog did everything normally and still ended up here.

What to do if your dog has IVDD

1. Get a vet involved early, and keep going back. Waiting rarely helps. In one case report, a dog was managed for more than six months with gradually worsening back leg weakness, a limp tail and spinal pain before referral,⁵ and the dramatic, irreversible nerve changes found at surgery might have been avoided or reduced with earlier diagnosis and more aggressive intervention.⁵

2. Ask about rehab. In a small matched study of dogs after disc surgery, those given supervised underwater treadmill sessions reached independent walking sooner than dogs doing owner-guided exercises at home, with no treadmill related complications, and the authors concluded structured underwater treadmill therapy should be considered as part of care after surgery.⁶ Acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, has also been associated with neurological improvement in dogs with disc disease in the mid to lower back.⁷ Whether either suits your dog is a vet decision.

3. Set up for safety at home. Non slip runners on hard floors, a ramp instead of stairs, help with turning if your dog gets stuck, and a plan for toileting.

4. Hold on to some hope. In a study of 32 dogs that arrived suddenly paralysed in the back legs and had lost pain sensation after a disc extrusion, 24 of the 32 (75%) had regained the ability to walk three months after surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord.⁴ Every dog is different, and your vet is the one who can tell you where yours sits.

Where a wheelchair fits in

What it does is hold the back end up so your dog can move, sniff, potty and be part of the day again while the vet handles the medical side.

The OldPal Rear Support Dog Wheelchair is made for dogs with weak or failing back legs. The padded harness carries weight through the hips and chest rather than the spine, every strap adjusts, and the frame is set so the back legs hang free or lightly brush the ground. Dogs can squat and go to the bathroom while in the chair. The frame is lightweight aluminum with all terrain wheels, and each frame adjusts in height within its range.

Sizing is one measurement. Rear leg height, from the top of the hip straight down to the toe pad, with your dog lying on its side and the leg at its natural bend. Five sizes cover 3 to 31 inches. Take the measurement with our size guide and fit finder, then order the dog wheelchair for back legs. If you are unsure, email a photo and your measurement to help@oldpalpets.com and a person will check it.

If the size is wrong, the Fit Guarantee covers it: send it back and we replace it with the size that fits, and return shipping is your only cost. Most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, continental US only.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Can a dog recover from IVDD
• Can dogs die of IVDD
• Can dogs with IVDD run

Sources