What the heck is IVDD?
Over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about this exact topic so you have all of the information that you need in case this happens to your pet and even better, how to prevent it!
Let’s get started…
IVDD stands for intervertebral disc disease and it is the most common spinal cord problem in dogs. Your dog’s spine (as well as ours) is made up of many bones called vertebrae. In between the vertebrae sits a cushion called a disc. Think of this cushion like a jelly donut. There is a jelly type material on the inside of the disc that is surrounded by a harder exterior that keeps the jelly inside. The spinal cord runs in a hole inside the bones of the spine, located behind the disc. Your dog has nerves that exit the spinal cord, between the bones and also behind the disc, to communication with the rest of the body.
What happens in IVDD is the jelly like substance in the middle of the disc can come out and become hardened. This pushes on the spinal cord and nerves and can cause muscle weakness to complete inability to use the back or front legs. If the dog suffers from IVDD in the neck region, more of his body will be impacted.
This type of disc problem is sudden in onset meaning the dog will suddenly be unable to use his back legs or progressive weakness over a short period of time (think the weekend).
- It is very painful and happens to younger dogs.
- It has a good prognosis with surgery.
- More likely to happen in short legged, long bodied dogs: Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Corgis, English Bulldogs, French bulldogs, Shitzus and mixes of these breeds.
The outer layer of the disc can also become thickened over time. This will eventually push on the spinal cord and/or nerves and cause progressive weakness over time.
- This is more common in larger and older dogs
- Tends to be less painful,
- And has less of a full recovery.
If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD, click the button below to check out our Free Report on how to help your dog recover
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