Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

The intervertebral discs are pads of tissue that lie between the spinal column segments (cervical bones). These discs provide shock absorption and a protective barrier for the spinal cord, which is essential in controlling all bodily movements. Degeneration of the discs can result in severe pain and paralysis as the spinal cord becomes vulnerable to damage.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a serious condition that may lead to permanent paralysis. Low grade IVDD normally responds well to conservative management but compression of the spinal cord sometimes results in irreversible paralysis.

Severe IVDD is a surgical emergency and requires urgent referral to a neurologist.

Degeneration is the most common form of IVDD and is more common in chondrodystrophic breeds, which are characterized by disproportionately short and bent legs in comparison to their torso. These breeds are prone to discs that become less able to act as a shock absorber and are more susceptible to damage.

Chondrodystrophic breeds include

• Dachshunds
• Basset hounds
• Shih tzus
• French bulldogs

Symptoms vary significantly relative to the location and severity of spinal cord damage. Compression in the neck results in symptoms in the front and hind legs whereas compression in the lower back results in symptoms in the hind legs. Pain is often most intense at the site of compression, but may radiate up and down the spinal cord.

Symptoms sometimes progress as compression of the spinal cord worsens. Mild compression results in pain, progressing to lameness, reduced limb function, paralysis (complete loss of limb function), and loss of deep pain (the brain cannot detect pain signals).

Symptoms may be mild, intermittent, and chronic, or severe and acute.

IVDD describes compression of the spinal cord as a result of extrusion of a ruptured disc. This can occur either due to injury, such as a car accident, or degenerative changes to an aging disc.

Symptoms of IVDD vary depending on severity of the spinal cord compression

Diagnosis involves:

• Physical examination
• MRI/CT scan
• (X-rays)
• Blood work
• Spinal fluid sampling

Severe acute presentations of IVDD are an emergency and often necessitate referral to a neurologist.

There are a couple treatment options

Conservative management:

• Crate rest
• Assisted urination
• Regular turning and assistance with movement
• Pain relief -Anti-Inflammatories

Surgical management:

• Decompression of the spinal cord

Prognosis varies depending on the severity of presentation.

Dogs with low grade IVDD (those that are able to walk) have a good prognosis and most recover with conservative or surgical management. More severe cases require surgery. Most dogs who retain deep pain sensation recover from surgery in 8-12 weeks. Dogs that lose the ability to sense pain prior to surgery have a poor prognosis and less than half are able to walk again.

IVDD is primarily a genetic condition of dogs that have disproportionately short and curved limbs (chondrodystrophia). Prevention of IVDD in chondrodystrophic breeds involves maintaining an active lifestyle and strict diet to maintain a healthy body weight.

Dogs with a history of IVDD, or extremes of chondrodystrophic features, such as very short legs, or very long backs, should not be bred.

Recurrence is common as IVDD normally affects multiple discs.

IVDD is a common presentation in chondrodystrophic dog breeds (up to 24% in dachshunds) such as dachshunds, basset hounds, shih tzus, and french bulldogs, but is rare in the wider population of dogs (less than 2%).

• Crate rest
• Assisted urination
• Regular turning and assistance with movement
• Pain relief -Anti Inflammatories
• Surgical decompression of the spinal cord