24/03/2023
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a condition where the cushioning discs in your pet’s spine either rupture or burst into the spinal canal, pressing on the spinal cord and nerves, causing severe pain and inflammation (=“slipped disc”)
IVDD is the most common spinal disease in dogs, and is occasionally seen in cats. Chondrodystrophic dog breeds (characterised by their short limbs) e.g. Dachshunds, Beagles, Basset Hounds and Pugs are predisposed.
Common intervertebral disc disease symptoms include:
🐕🦺Neck stiffness
🐕🦺Back pain
🐕🦺Shivering
🐕🦺Unwillingness to jump
🐕🦺Pain and weakness in the legs
🐕🦺Crying when picked up
🐕🦺Hunched back or neck
🐕🦺Reduced appetite and activity level
🐕🦺Loss of bladder or bowel control
🐕🦺Inability to walk
🐕🦺Paralysis
If your vet suspects IVDD, they may recommend advanced imaging. MRI and CT scans are necessary before surgical correction. They allow specialists to locate the source of the injury.
The treatment required depends on the severity of damage to the spinal cord. Some conditions can be managed without surgery through conservative treatment. However, severe cases with loss of limb function, surgery is usually required.
Conservative management of IVDD usually involves anti-inflammatories and painkillers to reduce the swelling of the cord, helping to manage your pet’s pain. Your pet will also be required to rest, which means they may need to be confined to a cage for up to six weeks.
Sometimes, disc problems in dogs require surgical correction. In these cases, emergency surgery may be needed to open up the space in their spine, which is achieved by removing a portion of the bony vertebrae over the spinal cord to remove the disc material (= a laminectomy or ventral slot).
Rehabilitation is often recommended for dogs with IVDD, either as part of conservative care or after their surgery. This rehabilitation involves physiotherapy and sometimes hydrotherapy, aimed at reducing inflammation, improving their core and muscle strength.
-specialists
