What is IVDD? - IVDD Explained Simply

3 days ago
2 min read

Intervertebral Disc Disease (known as IVDD) is a spinal condition that affects dogs and sometimes cats. The disease is commonly seen in Dachshunds, French Bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels but can be seen in many breeds of dog.

Our 5 year old Cocker Spaniel recently suffered an IVDE (Intervertebral disc extrusion) as a result of IVDD. It felt overwhelming to find out all the information we needed to know, so here is some essential information, put simply.

The intervertebral discs in a dog's spine act as shock absorbers and cushion the main spinal vertebrae. Imagine that the intervertebral disc is like a donut - it has a spongy outer area and a soft, jelly like centre (called the nucleus polposus). IVDD causes these intervertebral discs to degenerate and therefore they aren't able to perform as well at shock absorption. Over time, this deterioration of the intervertebral discs can lead to herniation or slipping of the discs.

How is IVDD diagnosed?

If you suspect that your dog has IVDD or has a problem with their back, you should take them to see your vet. A vet will be able to refer you to a specialist if they think it is necessary, where advanced imaging will take place if IVDD is suspected.

An MRI or CT scan can be used to diagnose IVDD which will usually require general anaesthetic.

Here is our dog's MRI images. You can see the compressive disc matter pushing into the spinal cord as a result of his IVDE.

Two MRI scans show spinal cross-sections with yellow arrows highlighting regions of interest. Black and white tones dominate the images.

What are the symptoms of IVDD?

Symptoms of IVDD can include:

back pain
falling over frequently
tripping
dragging feet
appearing wobbly/weak in the legs

If you're worried that your dog is unwell, it is essential that you take them to your vet who can recommend the best course of action.

What is the treatment for IVDD/IVDE?

Treatment for this condition usually depends on the severity. It can range from physiotherapy and management to surgery so it is important to speak to your vet and create a plan that is right for your dog.

For our dog, we opted for surgery to remove the compressive disc matter which gave him the best chance at recovery, after discussing all of the options with his neurologist. It can seem daunting, but these specialists are experts in their field and this is their specialist subject, which can be comforting when trusting them with your dog.

Post-surgery there is a regime of physiotherapy and recovery that needs to be followed, including stretches and exercises to be done multiple times daily. Hydrotherapy is also a fantastic rehabilitation tool and this can be recommended by your surgeon and/or recovery team.

Some dogs with IVDD/IVDE may not regain the ability to walk again but can live very fulfilling lives using wheelchairs for their back legs.