What is Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs – and Is It Serious?

Intervertebral disc disease in dogs is a spinal condition that affects the discs between the vertebrae. The discs in between the vertebrae function as cushions between the vertebrae. They absorb shock and allow for normal movement of the spine.

When a dog has IVDD, their discs do not perform this function properly. Often, this leads to pain and nerve damage. It causes nerve issues, which can be minor or severe.

This condition is most common in dogs with longer backs and short legs, such as dachshunds. Their unusual stature makes them unable to properly support their backs, leading to more injuries.

Some dogs have very minor problems when it comes to IVDD. You may not even notice that they have it. Other dogs display much more severe symptoms. Sometimes, mild neurological signs occur, and even acute paralysis may occur. Some dogs lose the ability to control their bladder and move their legs.

Symptoms of IVDD

The symptoms of IVDD are often related to the severity of the condition. The most minor form typically involves back pain – sometimes as the only symptom. Of course, your dog cannot tell you if they are in pain or not. Signs of pain include:

• Yelping or whining
• Reluctance to move
• Difficulty getting comfortable
• Excessive licking
• Muscle tension
• Aggression

All of these pains typically indicate a minor problem. The canine can still feel something and may not have any paralysis or more serious symptoms.

Dogs with more severe cases will often have difficulty walking or standing. They may have hind limb weakness, for instance. Their back legs may appear wobbly or uncoordinated. They have difficulty pushing off when walking. They may drag their toes on the ground, which is called “knuckling.”

The dog may also stumble and appear generally uncoordinated. Sometimes, full paralysis occurs in one or all limbs. Often, the back limbs are affected first.

Often, the dogs may appear stiff or hesitant to move. They may not want to get up or down, for instance. This is due to pain in the muscles or even spasms.

Because of the pain, these dogs might have pain or discomfort. For instance, they may have decreased appetite, lethargy, anxiety, or aggression. They may just start acting weird. Behavioral changes are very common signs of underlying conditions.

Loss of bladder and bowel control is a severe symptom that indicates severe nerve damage.

The severity of symptoms varies greatly, but it often indicates the severity of the condition. Dogs with worse symptoms often have worse symptoms.

What Causes IVDD?

The underlying cause of IVDD is unknown. We don’t know exactly what causes each dog’s condition. There is likely an underlying interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

Some breeds are more prone to IVDD than others. Those with short legs and long backs are more susceptible due to the elongated nature of their spine. These dog breeds include dachshunds, beagles, and pugs. Any dog with a long back and short legs is more prone to this condition.

There may be other genetic predispositions, too. We don’t know exactly what genes cause IVDD.

Several environmental factors cause IVDD, too. Obesity adds extra strain on their spine and discs, leading to extra degeneration. At-risk dogs can increase their risk by jumping from heights. This creates a sudden impact, often with the back at a poor angle. This can easily injure discs in some canines.

Activities that cause repetitive stress on the spine, like jumping on furniture, playing fetch, and roughhousing, can all lead to disc wear over time.

Nutrition may also be related, but we have far less evidence for this theory. Calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin help decrease the chance of IVDD, so some vets do recommend supplementing your dog with them.

While IVDD can occur at any time, it’s most common in older dogs. Disc degeneration happens over time, so it makes sense that it would occur most often in older dogs. Dogs with a previous history of IVDD will always be more at risk for another episode.

Prognosis of Dogs with IVDD

The prognosis of dogs with IVDD depends heavily on several factors. The more severe the neurological symptoms, the more likely they have latent symptoms. Dogs without any paralysis tend to have more issues than those with just pain.

Early diagnosis and intervention can improve the chance of a good outcome. Dogs that are treated earlier tend to have less severe problems than others. However, dogs with complete paralysis sometimes end up having a complete recovery, while dogs with only pain may need continuous medication to control it.