Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs – Life expectancy, symptoms and treatment

The spine is a vital part of a dog’s anatomy, just like it is in humans. It provides structure and strength to the body and protects the spinal cord – a bundle of nerves that runs through the centre of the spine, branching off to different parts of the body.

Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from spinal problems, such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), which can happen to any dog as they age, but some breeds are more prone to developing it. If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD, or may be at risk from it, you may be worried about what the future holds for them, and what can be done to help. Let’s look at IVDD in more detail.

What is IVDD?

IVDD is the most common spinal condition affecting dogs. The spine of dogs, similar to other mammals, is composed of hard, bony vertebrae separated by flexible, shock absorbing discs made from cartilage. Each disc has a fibrous outer ring with a softer gel-like centre. The spinal cord runs through a channel in the vertebrae above the discs.

In IVDD, the disc degenerates and loses water, making it harder and less flexible¹. The disc then bulges upwards or ruptures and releases material that presses into the spinal cord causing pain, pressure, and weakness or even paralysis and loss of feeling. Sometimes IVDD is referred to as a slipped, herniated, bulging or ruptured disk. There are at least five recently recognised types of IVDD in dogs². The Hansen Type 1 form is the most common form of disc disease in dogs³ and in this form the central gel-like material bursts through the outer ring and compresses the spinal cord. In the less common Type 2, the disc itself gradually bulges and compresses the spinal cord.

How common is IVDD and which breeds are predisposed?

IVDD affects around 2% of dogs⁴ and any breed of dog can be affected, especially as they get older. But chondrodysplastic breeds are much more commonly affected with Type 1 IVDD – these breeds include dachshunds, beagles and French bulldogs. Chondrodysplastic breeds have a gene that causes abnormal growth of cartilage and will include most breeds with disproportionately short legs. Between 19 and 24% of dachshunds display signs of IVDD within their lifetime⁴.

Signs and symptoms

The signs of IVDD can vary in severity and can progress or improve over time. Some dogs will present with waxing and waning chronic signs. Other dogs may show very sudden and severe signs of pain, or may be completely paralysed. Factors that affect the severity of signs include the location of the disc in the spine, and the speed and force with which the disc material hits the spine.

Common signs of IVDD include:

• Reluctance to move or moving more slowly than usual
• Reluctance to go up or down stairs, or to jump
• Not wanting to eat
• Standing in a hunched position
• Shaking or trembling
• Crying or whimpering when picked up
• Scuffing feet when walking
• Dragging legs
• Looking wobbly or unstable on their legs
• Loss of feeling in their legs
• Loss of bladder and/or bowel control

It is important to consult your veterinary surgeon urgently if you notice any of these signs. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to the best chance of recovery⁵. Your vet will examine your pet and look for signs of spinal pain, as well as checking the normal neurological responses and reflexes of the legs. Loss of deep pain in the legs can suggest a lower chance of recovery.

How is IVDD diagnosed?

Often your vet will strongly suspect IVDD following examination of your pet and listening to the signs they have been showing at home, especially if they are a breed that is prone to the condition. Spinal X-rays may be recommended to rule out other causes of the symptoms, and they may sometimes show a narrowing of the space between the bony vertebrae. However, the disks themselves and the spinal cord cannot be seen on normal X-rays, and for this reason IVDD is usually diagnosed with an MRI scan. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap and blood tests might also be recommended to rule out other problems.

How is IVDD treated, and can it be cured?

It is important that IVDD is treated promptly, and your vet will recommend strong painkillers either given by injection or as tablets or an oral liquid.

Depending on a number of factors, your vet may recommend either conservative management (medical treatment) or surgery. Factors that might affect whether your pet goes for surgery include the severity of signs, degree of compression of the spine on MRI, cost factors, and the risks of anaesthetising them.

Conservative management entails a period of very strict confinement, to prevent further pressure on the spine, reduce pain and allow the inflammation in the area to settle down. Strict rest means that your dog should only be taken outside to toilet, and they should be prevented from jumping and going up or down stairs. Often “cage rest” will be necessary, which means that they should be confined to a small crate or cage to limit their movement. It is important that the crate is large enough that they can stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. The crate should have a padded but firm flooring, and loose bedding should not be used as they may get entangled in it. Crate rest can be very frustrating for dogs and it’s vital that other forms of environmental enrichment are offered to keep their minds occupied, which may include stimuli for all five senses, for example:

• Keeping them in a family room with people nearby, or near a window they can see out of
• Doggy TV or radio
• Fresh air breaks whilst keeping them confined
• Positive touch, including petting and grooming
• Lick mats and chew toys
• Snuffle mats and open windows for interesting smells
• Calming music
• Squeaker toys
• Low calorie treats and puzzle feeders

Sometimes a couple of different medications will be needed to control pain, and muscle relaxants may also be used. Some pets will need to have their bladders manually emptied through the day.

In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. This is a specialist surgery, and your vet may refer you to a neurologist who will examine your pet, carry out advanced diagnostic tests such as MRI and discuss whether surgery is right for your pet. Following surgery there will be a period of recuperation where you pet will need medications and rest.

The prognosis for patients with IVDD varies according to the severity of their clinical signs and the type of IVDD⁶. Those with normal feeling in their legs will frequently recover fully, although may be prone to future episodes. A little over half of those who lose feeling in their back legs can recover with appropriate treatment¹.

Can IVDD be prevented?

Although IVDD cannot be entirely prevented, there are certainly things you can do to reduce the risk of it occurring:

• Keep your pet at a healthy weight to reduce stress on their spine
• Use a properly fitting harness instead of a neck collar
• Discourage jumping on and off furniture
• Limit high impact activities such as jumping and twisting at speed
• Encourage responsible breeding practices

In dogs with IVDD that does not improve, it is important to assess their quality of life as time goes on. If they are not able to do the things they enjoy and aren’t thriving on just the environmental enrichment you provide, it may be time to think about whether euthanasia could be the kinder decision to make. Perhaps the toll of looking after an incapacitated dog is too much for the family either. Our quality-of-life questionnaire and checklist are designed to help you decide when the time has come to say goodbye, and our team of care coordinators can guide you through this difficult process.

References:

1. Jeffery, N.D., Levine, J.M., Olby, N.J. and Stein, V.M. (2013), Intervertebral Disk Degeneration in Dogs: Consequences, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Directions. J Vet Intern Med, 27: 1318-1333. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12183
2. Fenn J, Olby NJ; Canine Spinal Cord Injury Consortium (CANSORT-SCI). Classification of Intervertebral Disc Disease. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Oct 6;7:579025. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.579025.
3. Fluehmann G, Doherr MG, Jaggy A. Canine neurological diseases in a referral hospital population between 1989 and 2000 in Switzerland. J Small Anim Pract. (2006) 47:582–7. 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2006.00106.x
4. Brisson BA. Intervertebral disc disease in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2010 Sep;40(5):829-58. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2010.06.001.
5. Immekeppel, A., Rupp, S., Demierre, S. et al. Investigation of timing of surgery and other factors possibly influencing outcome in dogs with acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion: a retrospective study of 1501 cases. Acta Vet Scand 63, 30 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-021-00596-w
6. Olby NJ, da Costa RC, Levine JM, Stein VM; Canine Spinal Cord Injury Consortium (CANSORT SCI). Prognostic Factors in Canine Acute Intervertebral Disc Disease. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Nov 26;7:596059. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.596059.