IVDD In Dogs
Back pain can be mild or downright debilitating for humans, and it’s no different for our pups! Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is one of the most common causes of back pain in canines and can lead to reduced mobility and quality of life. But, just because it’s common doesn’t mean we should take it lightly. TheK9PT is here to help if you suspect your pup is showing signs of IVDD.
IVDD is degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral discs, which are found between the bones of the spine. These discs are like cushions for the spine that act as shock absorbers and allow for mobility. You can think of a disc like a jelly donut – a fibrous outer layer, and a gelatinous, jelly-like inner layer. IVDD occurs when the discs are weakened and more capable of rupturing or herniation. IVDD can be treated conservatively or with surgical intervention. Treatment will be determined by the severity of the symptoms your pup is experiencing. No matter the symptoms, it is important to get the right type of treatment from the right healthcare professionals to ensure your pup lives a happy and pain-free life! Not sure if your pup needs to see a physical therapist? Fill out our short form below to speak with us!
How To Know If Your Pup Has IVDD
You will need to see a healthcare professional to diagnose IVDD with certainty. However, dogs with IVDD typically experience one or more of the following signs/symptoms:
- Back or Neck Pain
- Hunched Posture
- Sensitivity to Touch
- Hind Limb Weakness
- Unsteadiness
- Anxious Behavior
- Inability To Stand
- Inability to Move/Feel Hind Legs
- Impaired Bowels &/or Bladder Control
How can we help you?
We have put together some of the best educational content for pet parents regarding IVDD. Download our IVDD newsletter to start helping your pup right away…
TheK9PT IVDD Newsletter
Identifying IVDD: Type I or Type II
Type I:
- Generally occurs in breeds with abnormally short legs
- The outer layer of the discs become harder over time
- Discs are at an increased risk of that jelly-like substance spilling into places it doesn’t belong
- High impact activities, like playing fetch or jumping, are what trigger Type I IVDD
Type II:
- Generally occurs in other breeds (not as severe as Type I)
- Happens gradually with no triggering events
- Discs become harder and less flexible over time
- Discs break down and the jelly-like substance bulges out, which places pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
There are 2 approaches to treatment for IVDD: surgery or conservative management. To make the best decision for your pups recovery, be sure to consult with both a certified canine rehabilitation therapist and your regular veterinarian. A neurological consult with a veterinarian who is board certified in neurology might also be warranted.
Surgery will help relieve compression at the nerve roots &/or spinal cord. After surgery, the dog is often confined in a crate and take medication to help with the discomfort, swelling, and to avoid re-injury.
Conservative management will combine active rest, medication, and rehabilitation. It is important to note that active rest is different than crate rest, and we discussed more about on this blog post.
Regardless of treatment approach, physical therapy is recommended as part of the recovery plan, and a successful recovery will include much more than just crate rest and an underwater treadmill. Successful IVDD rehab plans include Neurodevelopmental Sequence techniques, or exercises to teach your pup how to effectively use their body again. A certified canine rehab therapist will introduce controlled activity into your pups daily routine and increase their functional mobility safely every step of the way.
To learn more about TheK9PT can help your pup with IVDD, be sure to download our IVDD newsletter here!
Success Stories
Here are some of the happy stories we would like to share with you from some of our clients:
“My five year old miniature dachshund, who believes she is the Michael Jordan of the high jump, not surprisingly suffered a catastrophic disc rupture in her back. However impossible to restrain, please heed this warning to take precautions however unpleasant or difficult. This is a very profound injury and she has a very long road to recovery ahead which is by no means assured. I’ve received consistent, persistent, educated and dedicated help from TheK9PT since the beginning of my dog rehabilitation, which we started early. I have no doubt this has been a game changer for my dog for her long term progress. I am grateful for the disciplined and knowledgeable expertise of TheK9PT Team which has been helping my dog through this long effort. I give my unqualified recommendation to TheK9PT for their expertise and work ethic.”
Karen Prena, Taffy's mom“Francisco took incredible care of our sweet elderly pug Tucker as neurological disorder caused him to lose strength and control of his back legs. Sessions with Francisco gave our boy a much more comfortable (and oftentimes fun — so much peanut butter and so many cookies!) last few months of life. When the time came to add another pup to our family, we found a neglected pug that needed some immediate therapy. Francisco came to our rescue and after a few sessions, we started to see some serious improvement in our new girl. These days, while she still has some work ahead of her, she’s strong, happy, and truly unrecognizable. Francisco was an amazing teacher and we felt comfortable being able to replicate sessions on our own to keep up Lucy’s progress. Whenever I had questions, Francisco was available to answer them — no matter how big or small. I so appreciate the time, care, and attention he’s given to us and our goofballs.”
Katie Klinzing, Lucy's Mom“We have been seeing Francisco and his team for the past few months with our 12 year old Greyhound, Tyson. Tyson has hip and lower back mobility issues and was having a hard time going up and down our stairs. Working with Francisco and his team has been life changing for Tyson. He’s not only getting around easier, he seems to be in less pain and has a little pep in his step again. He loves his visits and will do anything for string cheese! Francisco & Kristin have been so warm with Tyson and they are so good at teaching us exercises to do with Tyson at home as well. I highly recommend Francisco and TheK9PT and am thankful of the work they are doing with Tyson.”
Heather Fuchs, Tyson's mom“After her 9th birthday Cookie was having problems jumping onto furniture. She wasn’t in pain and her spirits were good, so we assumed it was normal aging. Two weeks after she was in horrible pain, diagnosed with IVDD, and put on anti-inflammatories with restricted activity for 3 weeks. She got a bit better, but her hind legs would tremble; the vet thought she had arthritis in addition too. This is where TheK9PT came in. They did laser therapy, massage, exercises, and gave us a home exercise program to do between appointments. They discussed accommodations to make in the house and how to restrict her activity we while worked on getting her stronger and build back up at an appropriate pace. Over the course of a couple months she got so much better: her legs stopped trembling, she seemed much more sure of herself, and was able to jump with ease. It makes me so happy to know Cookie is feeling so much better and that we are doing everything we can to address her spine issues and ensure she lives a long, healthy, pain free life! Our vet could not believe how well Cookie was moving and how peppy she was. We are so lucky to have found The K9PT! ”
Natalie Rosenberg , Cookie's Mom