Intervertebral disc disease, also known as IVDD, is a very common condition seen in dogs of all ages. This is usually seen in small to medium-sized dogs, but can affect any breed. Unfortunately, the most common dog breed with IVDD is the Dachshund. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some dogs experiencing multiple episodes during their lifetime. Let’s talk more about what IVDD is, what to look for, what treatment options are available, and what you can do to prevent it.
What is IVDD?
IVDD is an intervertebral disc disease. This disease is what many people recognize as a bulging or herniated disc. The human spinal cord extends vertically (up and down), and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord. Between each vertebrae are soft structures called intervertebral discs that help protect the spinal cord from pressure, compression, and other trauma. When one or more of these discs bulges, it can put pressure on surrounding structures such as associated nerves, blood vessels, and the spinal cord. The worst-case scenario is if the entire disc actually ruptures or herniates and pops out of the space, causing significant trauma to the adjacent spinal cord and nerves.
In dogs, due to their anatomy, the vertebrae and spinal cord run horizontally. The concept is the same as humans, only the anatomy is different because dogs walk on four legs and humans walk on two legs. With rare exceptions, each dog has 26 intervertebral discs. IVDD is when one or more of these discs is pushed out of the space, causing trauma to the surrounding structures. Some dogs only experience IVDD once in their lifetime. I have also seen dogs who have had up to three surgeries in their lifetime, with different discs affected each time. Dachshunds are very common due to their long torso and spine.
What are the signs of IVDD in a Dachshund?
In some cases, mild symptoms may be present for a few hours or days and then worsen. There was also a case where the owner noticed that the dog, which had been kept in a box day and night as usual, was suffering from acute paralysis. Other times, a high jump or fall can be the catalyst to get things started.
Mild signs include ataxia, loss of coordination, and pain. Your Dachshund may appear to have uncontrolled limbs and an almost “drunk” gait. You may hear or notice your dog scraping one or more of his paws as he walks. If the disc is in the neck, your Dachshund may be reluctant to move its head or neck up and down, and may be reluctant to eat, drink, or use stairs. If the disc affects the hind legs, your Dachshund may stand hunched over, have weakness in the hind legs, tremble, or feel pain.
An even worse sign that follows the loss of coordination and pain is loss of motor skills, or loss of movement in one or more legs. The affected leg depends on where the diseased disc is located. Your veterinarian can help determine this based on test results. Your Dachshund may begin to drag one or both of its hind legs, lower its front legs completely, and become unable to push itself up with its fists or walk. Affected dogs are often in extreme pain, gasp and vocalize, and are unwilling to eat or drink. Loss of motor function often results in dogs being unable to urinate or defecate properly. Either he can’t express himself, or he’s not in good shape and can’t stop dribbling.
The worst-case scenario is deep pain, loss of mobility, and loss of sensation in one or more limbs. An examination by a veterinarian is required to determine this. Mild symptoms may progress to severe symptoms over a period of hours to days, or severe symptoms may develop suddenly.
What causes IVDD in Dachshunds?
To understand why this happens, we first need to learn a little more about anatomy. Each intervertebral disc has two main parts. The outer part is called the annulus fibrosus, and the inner part is called the nucleus pulposus. A scary but effective analogy is to compare each disk to a jelly-filled donut. The outer annulus fibrosus is much stronger and fibrous in nature. The inner “jelly” part is gelatinous. When the spine moves or absorbs a shock, such as when a dog jumps off the couch, the nucleus pulposus absorbs the shock and radiates the pressure evenly outward.
As dogs age, their vertebrae and discs also age, making each disc less elastic and unable to absorb shock and pressure as easily. Discs can become calcified and absorb or radiate forces unevenly. This is important because when this happens, daily stress is placed on the spine, which can prevent the discs from doing their job and make them more susceptible to injury.
When pressure is applied to one part of the spine and the aging discs are unable to absorb and distribute the stress evenly, the disc bulges or bulges out. If the disc ruptures the nucleus pulposus or jelly-like center, this is considered type I disc disease or bulge. This is most common in dachshunds. If there is a protrusion of the annulus fibrosus, the outer part of the disc, this is called type II disc disease.
Dachshunds, like other small breed dogs such as French bulldogs, can begin to show these age-related changes in their discs as early as 8 to 24 months of age. Approximately 25% of Dachshunds will develop some type of IVDD during their lifetime, with the highest incidence occurring between ages 3 and 7. This is very different from other large breeds, where problems often begin between the ages of 8 and 10.
Diagnosing IVDD in Dachshunds
A presumptive diagnosis of IVDD is made by veterinarian examination. Based on your dachshund’s clinical signs and trauma history, your veterinarian will be able to make a fairly accurate guess about IVF. However, the only definitive diagnosis lies in advanced imaging tests.
In other words, either CT or MRI with contrast agent is often required. Radiographs are not absolutely conclusive. Your veterinarian may recommend checking for signs of arthritis, fractures, or disc space narrowing. However, X-rays are not sensitive enough to see extruded disc material and associated damage to the spinal cord. In many cases, if the owner requests advanced imaging or surgical examination, I save the money spent on X-rays and send them right away for advanced imaging by a specialist.
How do I care for a dachshund with IVDD?
The most important thing is to get your Dachshund diagnosed as soon as you notice any unusual behavior. If you notice that your cat is hunching over, rubbing against your paws, acting intoxicated, or unable to move his paws, you should take him to the vet right away. Based on your dog’s age and the severity of the clinical condition, your veterinarian will discuss conservative treatment and surgical options. Timing is very important when choosing surgery. For dogs who have lost feeling in their legs, surgery should be performed within the first 48 hours for best results. This surgery is highly specialized and can only be performed by a board-certified surgeon or board-certified neurologist. The advanced imaging described above is absolutely necessary. You should never have surgery if your doctor is not on board or if only X-rays are being used.
Conservative treatment includes aggressive pain medications, the administration of some type of anti-inflammatory medication (usually steroids or NSAIDs), and strict rest. Off-leash activities can last up to two months, sometimes longer. For many families, this may be difficult to adhere to. However, this is a great option since surgery is often beyond people’s financial limits (it can cost upwards of $10,000 depending on where you live). Depending on your Dachshund’s condition, you may need to express his bladder or exercise with him until it heals. All of this must be managed by a veterinarian, as some movements can be harmful.
Although some alternative treatments have benefits, chiropractic work should never be completed on a Dachshund or any breed of dog suffering from IVDD. This can cause further trauma to the spinal cord and affect other discs. Depending on your dog’s specific case, acupuncture or underwater treadmill therapy may be great options.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I prevent IVDD in my Dachshund?
It cannot be completely prevented. However, one of the most important things you can do is keep your Dachshund in shape. Obesity only puts undue pressure on the vertebrae, discs, and spinal cord. Also, train your pup early to use ramps and stairs, and avoid jumping on or jumping off high surfaces such as furniture or decks. It only takes one high jump or fall to injure your lower back.
Should I just wait for them to “go away”?
no! This is a very painful condition. Waiting can cause further swelling and bleeding at the injury site. You won’t be able to see this with the naked eye. Therefore, the sooner you get your dachshund diagnosed and start medication, the sooner your dachshund will feel comfortable and hopefully the condition will not worsen.
What is the prognosis for my Dachshund?
These numbers are constantly updated and changed as new research results are published. In general, dogs without deep pain at the time of diagnosis and treated conservatively have a recovery rate of only 5-10%, while those treated within 48 hours have a 50% recovery rate. For dogs with residual pain, the recovery rate with surgery is 80-95% or higher. For dogs with persistent deep pain, recovery rates with conservative treatment vary widely, but are generally greater than 50% without surgery.
conclusion
IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) commonly occurs in small to medium-sized dogs of all ages. This can occur in any breed of dog, but dachshunds are the breed most commonly affected. Dachshunds most commonly suffer from type I disc disease, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some Dachshunds only get IVDD once in their lives, while others struggle with IVDD for the rest of their lives.
If your Dachshund shows any unusual signs, it should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. The sooner your Dachshund is started on medication or undergoes surgery, the better the prognosis will be. Your veterinarian will discuss all treatment options with you based on your dog’s specific symptoms. For best results, conservative treatments and surgeries should only be administered by trained veterinarians and veterinary staff.
Featured image credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock
