Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a condition where the spinal cord is compressed by an intervertebral disc that has slipped, started to bulge, or burst. The intervertebral discs sit between each vertebra of the spine and provide a cushioning or shock-absorbing effect. When a disc presses on the spinal cord, the nerves become damaged, leading to pain and paralysis.
Severity:
Most cases are moderate to severe.
Table of Contents
Key points
- There are two types of IVDD. Type 1 tends to be acute whereas Type 2 is often chronic.
- Many breeds with long spines and short legs are prone.
- Some cases respond to crate rest and anti-inflammatory medication, but others need surgery.
- Your veterinarian will need to check your dog’s nerve function and do a full neurological examination.
- Imaging like x-rays, CT, and MRI scans might be needed for a diagnosis.
Common in:
Breeds with long spines and short legs, like Dachshunds and Corgis. However, older dogs and obese dogs of other breeds can also be affected.
Symptoms and types:
There are two types of Intervertebral Disc Disease: Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 IVDD, the gel-like center of the disc becomes mineralized. Eventually, it herniates (bursts or protrudes) through the outer layer, causing sudden pressure on the spinal cord. In Type 2 IVDD, the outer layer becomes firmer over time. It gradually bulges, putting more and more pressure on the spinal cord.
In Type 1 IVDD, the symptoms come on very suddenly when the disc “slips” and compresses the spinal cord. Affected dogs tend to suddenly seem in a lot of pain, and they often cry out. The back pain means they often don’t want to be touched or approached, and they can become a bit aggressive. Over the course of the next few hours and days, they become paralyzed and lose sensation in their hind legs. It’s also common for dogs to leak or struggle to pass urine and feces, depending on the exact location of the spinal cord damage.
Type 2 IVDD is usually far more gradual. If your dog is affected, you might notice them slowing down, becoming stiff, or showing pain. You might also see them limping on one or both hind legs. Over time this can progress to complete paralysis of the back legs.
Dogs with IVDD may become paralyzed on their back legs suddenly, or they may show gradual signs of limping, stiffness, back pain, or weakness.
Understanding the diagnostics
If your veterinarian suspects IVDD, the first thing they will do is a complete head-to-toe-to-tail examination. This will allow them to distinguish back pain from belly or hip pain.
If they are concerned that your dog has a painful spine, they will do a neurological examination. This includes checking nerve reflexes and responses throughout the body, including the nerves of the head (the cranial nerves) and the nerve and muscle reflex pathways in the legs. They will check your dog’s vision, hearing, and sensation with various tests and feel along the spine to find the painful spot.
In addition to these examinations, your dog might need an x-ray of the spine. Sometimes, a special dye is used to highlight the spinal cord itself to identify any compression quickly. More advanced imaging like CT or MRI scans can also be helpful.
Learning about the causes
The intervertebral discs are made of an inner, gel-like center, called the nucleus pulposus, surrounded by a firmer capsule called the annulus fibrosis. Type 1 and Type 2 disc disease refer to the area of the disc that degenerates.
Type 1 IVDD
Type 1 IVDD is most common in dog breeds with long spines and short legs. These breeds are known as chondrodystrophic and include Dachshunds, Corgis, and Bassett Hounds. If a dog has Type 1 IVDD, calcium is deposited in the central nucleus of affected discs, changing their consistency so that they become harder. Sadly, this change happens silently without affecting your dog. However, an x-ray may show these changes before herniation has occurred. Eventually, a minor incident like a stumble, twist, or even a normal movement, can cause the abnormal disc material to shoot out, compressing the spinal cord.
Type 2 IVDD
Type 2 IVDD typically occurs in dog breeds who aren’t chondrodystrophic, like German Shepherd Dogs and Labradors. It tends to occur in older dogs and is more common in those that are overweight. In Type 2 disease, it is the outer annulus that degenerates and becomes weakened. This weakening allows the inner nucleus to bulge, gradually compressing the spinal cord.
Because IVDD is such a painful condition, it’s crucial to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Best treatment options
Some cases of IVDD can be treated conservatively with medication and rest. Although recovery can take weeks, many milder cases will improve with conservative treatment, and recurrence is common. If your dog still has some nerve function, your veterinarian might suggest a course of anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications. Alongside the medication, it’s essential to keep your dog’s movement restricted, so crates can be useful to help them rest and avoid further damage.
If your dog has no movement, no sensation, and no nerve function to their back legs, or if conservative treatment has failed, your dog might need an operation. Specialist surgeons can remove some of the vertebral bone to create more space for the spinal cord. Although expensive, the success rate after surgery is relatively good. However, the longer the surgery is delayed, and the more severe the symptoms, the less likely it is that the surgery will be a success.
Home remedies and their effectiveness
The only thing you can do at home to help your dog with IVDD is to keep them as restricted as possible. However, because IVDD is such a painful condition and treatment is most effective if started quickly, it’s crucial to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
When to see a vet
If you think your dog might have IVDD, you should take them for a check-up right away. Treatment is more likely to be successful if it is started soon after the symptoms begin. So, if you notice your dog is limping, weak, or stiff on their back legs, or if they are showing signs of back pain, speak to your veterinarian without delay. This is especially important if your dog is one of the predisposed breeds or if they are not going to the toilet normally.
FAQ
The decision to euthanize your beloved companion is never an easy one. However, if your dog has IVDD, is not responding to treatment, and is in pain with a poor quality of life, it may be the kindest decision. Your veterinarian will be able to lend a sympathetic ear and offer their opinion if you feel that it might be time to say goodbye.
As there are many causes for hair loss in dogs, treatment depends on the correct diagnosis of the underlying cause by a veterinarian.
Symmetrical hair loss in dogs may be caused by seasonal flank alopecia, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and other hormonal disorders.
Milder cases of IVDD can improve on anti-inflammatories and pain relief medications, as well as strict rest. However, not every patient can be treated medically, and those that recover may have similar episodes in the future. Severe cases or those who don’t recover while on medication may need spinal surgery.
Dr. Hannah Godfrey MRCVS graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. Although she initially worked in mixed practice treating all species, she found a love for small animal work and has worked exclusively with dogs and cats since 2014. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and two cats (named Poppy and Ashton Kutcher), and writes comedy fiction in her spare time.
