Between each of the vertebrae of your dog’s spine is a gelatinous substance. This substance makes up the intervertebral disc, and it functions as a shock absorber in healthy dogs. When intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is present, these protective discs herniate, causing bulging, spinal cord compression, and severe pain.
Over the course of this degenerative condition, the substance can harden, or calcify, and put stress on your dog’s nerve impulses. This stress, or pressure, is what causes symptoms of IVDD to begin showing. The types of symptoms can be your first clue as to where the affected discs are.
There are two types of IVDD in dogs: Hansen Type I and Hansen Type II.
Hansen Type I (Trusted Source) typically seen in dogs bred for certain physical features. Dogs with long backs and short legs and miniature versions of larger breeds are more susceptible to this type of IVDD.
Examples of dog breeds in this category are dachshunds, Shih Tzu, French bulldogs, basset hounds, and Pekingese. The structure of these breeds makes their spinal cords more susceptible to injuries. For these dogs, disc herniation can happen suddenly during jumping or landing, leading to IVDD.
Hansen Type II affects larger breeds of dogs. Onset for this type is usually slower, happening over a long period of time as the discs rupture, bulge, and deteriorate. Dog breeds most commonly affected by Hansen Type II IVDD include Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, and German shepherds.
If you own a breed of dog predisposed to IVDD, consider adding a functional food like ZipZyme™ Omega to their daily diet. When supported by a healthy diet, ZipZyme™ provides pets of all sizes with improved mobility, energy, and vitality throughout their lives. It offers a direct source of DHA, the most important type of omega-3 fatty acids often missing from pets’ diets but crucial for their overall well-being.
Just like the human spine, a dog’s spine has three distinct sections: cervical (neck), thoracic (back), and lumbar (low back). Symptoms and treatment for IVDD depend on which type of IVDD your dog has and which part of the spinal cord is affected.
If your dog is suffering from IVDD in the neck, you may notice the following symptoms:
IVDD that starts in the back can have similar symptoms as above. You might also notice:
For dogs with low-back IVDD, the following symptoms may be present:
🚨 Incontinence, loss of sensation, and paralysis are severe symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention for your dog as soon as you notice these.
The earlier you can get your dog to the vet after you first notice any of the above symptoms, the better the outcome will be. Diagnosis begins with a physical exam where your vet will feel around the spine for any noticeable lumps, bumps, or painful areas.
An official diagnosis of IVDD will come after your dog has diagnostic imaging tests. X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and neurological exams will be used to determine the location and severity of intervertebral disc disease if it is present.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key for helping your dog recover. Depending on the severity of the case, your vet will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, strict crate rest, physical therapy, surgery or a combination of these treatments.
Treatment options for IVDD vary based on the dog and the severity of the disease. Foods such as ZipZyme™ Omega, with its anti-inflammatory healing properties, may provide enhanced physical support for dogs in addition to traditional treatment methods. The DHA provided by ZipZyme™ reduces inflammation and pain associated with that inflammation and may help your dog regain any lost agility and mobility.
Even in its early stages, surgery is highly recommended for dogs with IVDD. Mild cases may do well with medications, crate rest, and physical therapy, but a full recovery is less possible.The goal of surgical treatment is to remove the hardened disc material and relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. They may also treat any other affected areas that didn’t come up in the diagnostic imaging tests to prevent future disease.
The recovery outlook for dogs with IVDD is very good. Dogs with cases that are caught early can expect to make a full recovery with treatment and/or physical rehabilitation. Annual physical exams with your vet are a good way to check for early clinical signs. They may even prevent the need for surgery down the road.
Intervertebral disc disease, though painful and limiting, isn’t a fatal condition. The survival rate for dogs with IVDD is 100%.
Unfortunately, the cost of surgery for dogs with IVDD can be quite high. And it’s not just the cost of the surgery itself, which can be anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000. Don’t forget that you’ll also have to pay for diagnostic tests, medications, and any pre- or post-operative care. All of this puts totals in the range of $3,000 to $8,000.
If you have a dog breed that is more susceptible to IVDD, you may want to invest money into a pet savings account. You can also look into pet insurance plans to alleviate the financial burden. Some companies even offer this as a benefit for their employees.
Depending on where the spine is affected, your dog may show clinical symptoms like unsteadiness, shivering or crying, crossing their back legs when they walk or not being able to walk at all, spasms, tensing of the belly, holding their head low, or a limp tail. If you notice that your dog is suddenly unable to hold their bladder, doesn’t react when you touch their legs or feet, or they’ve become paralyzed, seek immediate medical attention.
