Intervertebral disc disease in dogs

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

Hansen Type I Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to 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

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.

Neck intervertebral disc disease (cervical IVDD)

If your dog is suffering from IVDD in the neck, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Unsteadiness
• Inability to hold up their head
• Shivering or crying
• Reluctance or inability to move
• Inability to stand or support their own weight
• No response to touching their feet

Back intervertebral disc disease (thoracolumbar IVDD)

IVDD that starts in the back can have similar symptoms as above. You might also notice:

• Spasms that cause tenseness in the muscles, including in the belly
• Weakness in or dragging of their rear legs
• Back legs cross when they walk
• No response to touching their rear legs

Low-back intervertebral disc disease (lumbarsacro IVDD)

For dogs with low-back IVDD, the following symptoms may be present:

• Difficulty jumping, with or without pain
• Soft or sluggish tail
• Inability to hold in urine or feces
• Enlarged rectum

🚨 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. 

• Steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Intervertebral disc disease can cause bulging and swelling in the space between the vertebrae. Your vet may prescribe drugs that manage that inflammation and help your pup feel less discomfort.
• Crate rest. It’s a tall ask for energetic dogs, but crate rest is important for allowing their bodies to heal. Your vet may prescribe a mild sedative or supplement to help a high-energy dog relax enough to start the healing process. To be truly effective, your dog may need to spend several weeks on crate rest.
• Physical therapy.Regardless of the onset — sudden or slow — physical therapy may be prescribed for dogs that need to learn to move properly again and restore muscle strength so they are less likely to reinjure themselves.
• Surgery. IVDD is graded on a scale of one to five. When caught early and in its early stages, surgery can be avoided. IVDD that is rated a five, however, will often require corrective surgery. Following surgery, your vet may prescribe a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, crate rest, and physical therapy.

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.