Treatment options for dogs who can walk
Non-surgical treatment: For dogs who can walk, good-quality non-surgical treatment is usually the most sensible option to start with. This is true even if the dog is quite wobbly when walking. These dogs have a very good chance of doing well without an operation Levine et al 2007, Mann et al 2007, Sedlacek et al 2022. If the dog’s condition deteriorates, if they fail to improve over several weeks, or perhaps if the problem keeps recurring, referral for surgery may however become the best option.
Non-surgical treatment mostly involves home care, though treatment may be started on an in-patient basis (see below). The aim of non-surgical treatment is to keep the dog as comfortable, strong and coordinated as possible while preventing any rushing about, running and jumping. Your dog will need a recovery area (typically a crate or pen) and a routine involving gradual increase of controlled exercise as supervised by your vet or physiotherapist.
Recurrence of IVDD clinical signs is quite common after initially recovery, so you may find yourself back at the clinic months or even years later.
Spinal operation plus aftercare: Surgery is available for dogs who can walk and usually has a very good eventual outcome. Bear in mind though that these dogs usually have a very good chance of recovering without an operation. And not every spinal operation is a success: some mildly-affected dogs ( grades 1 and 2) have been reported to be unable to walk for a couple of weeks after spinal surgery (i.e. they get worse for a while) and, unfortunately, a tiny percentage of dogs deteriorate badly after surgery Aikawa et al 2012
If your dog can walk and you’re considering an operation, discuss these issues with your surgeon who will help you make an informed decision. Some types of spinal surgery can reduce the risk of the IVDD signs coming back, though the problem does still recur in many dogs.
Is treatment an emergency?
If your dog has IVDD but is able to walk, they are unlikely to need an operation on an emergency basis. However, they should be seen as soon as possible by your vet for assessment and prescription of painkillers. Ask for the next available appointment.
Do ask to speak to a vet straight away if your dog seems to be getting worse and worse. A few cases deteriorate and may need more urgent help.
Important: If your dog seems to be getting worse and worse, ask to speak to your vet immediately. They may need urgent referral.
Above: Sybil the dachshund was able to walk but was shaking with pain. IVDD-affected dogs are painful and should see the vet asap for painkillers and assessment. Video courtesy of M. Lucas.
Is it worth having my dog admitted to the first-opinion clinic?
Some dogs may do better if started off with in-patient care, whereas others do well with home care from the start. In-patient care involves painkillers (intravenous if needed) and regular monitoring. With your dog safe in a hospital kennel, you have a chance to set up a recovery area (usually a large cage or pen) ready for when your dog comes home. Your dog will need to be kept comfortable and given plenty of TLC from the start, so only have him admitted for in-patient care if the clinic has good round-the-clock staff and resources.
Watch out for deteriorating dogs: A few dogs start with mild signs which then get worse as the spinal disc continues to herniate. The problem may get worse gradually or suddenly. Therefore it’s important to keep an eye on your dog and to be prepared for a change of treatment plan, especially in the early stages. Deterioration is generally nobody’s fault. It’s just that the disc has herniated over hours to days rather than all at once. As far as possible, prevent your dog from running and jumping during early recovery (see below for more guidance on this). We occasionally hear of dogs who start off mildly-affected, but then suddenly lose the ability to walk just after jumping off a sofa or chasing across a room.
Above: Here is a video of a dachshund with grade 2 IVDD. Unfortunately, this little dog got much worse and became paralysed six hours after the video was taken. He eventually made a good recovery following spinal surgery and dedicated home care.
Medication and Surgery
Depending on the severity of the spinal disc damage, your veterinarian may prescribe medication or recommend surgery. It is most likely that your vet will prescribe pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs to cure the infection.
If your dog suffers from more than one slipped disc, surgery is usually the only option to solve the issue. Since it is most effective within the first two days after the injury, it is crucial that you take the dog to the vet as soon as you notice any spinal problems.
Tango’s IVDD treatment plan: 3 critical non-surgical solutions
Tango’s mom sat in my exam room trying to hold it together. Understandably so! Her dog was in a lot of pain, and, as a Dachshund owner, she knew back surgery might be in Tango’s future. Not only is surgical treatment of IVDD invasive with a long recovery period, but it also costs $3,000 to $8,000. “Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?” Tango’s mom asked. “Yes,” I replied encouragingly. “And I would not recommend surgery for Tango at this point. Since this is Tango’s first IVDD episode and since it is a grade 2, I think medical management is reasonable.”
But I needed to create realistic expectations, so I continued, “However, if Tango worsens, then we will talk about the next step, which would be surgery.”
She nodded solemnly. Having provided that disclaimer, I proceeded to explain how we would treat Tango.
Treatment of IVDD without surgery involves three critical components:
How to handle and care for a dog with IVDD. How to carry, pick up and move a painful dog.
Summary: In part II of this series on IVDD in dogs, a miniature Dachshund named Tango receives conservative medical management to treat intervertebral disc disease. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby recounts Tango’s non-surgical treatment plan and shares why surgery for IVDD correlates to the severity of IVDD symptoms. For Part 1 in this series, please read, “IVDD in Dogs: Why it Happens.” The answer may surprise you.