IVDD recurrence and flare-ups: can IVDD come back?
Yes, a dog can have another episode of spinal pain or disc herniation after recovering from IVDD. A new episode may involve the same region or another disc, and new symptoms should be assessed rather than automatically dismissed as “the old injury playing up”.
Can IVDD come back after recovery?
It can. Intervertebral disc degeneration may affect more than one disc over a dog’s lifetime, so treatment of one episode does not guarantee that another disc will never cause problems. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons notes that another disc herniation can occur later in a proportion of patients.
Recurrence risk is not identical for every dog. Breed, the pattern of disc disease, previous treatment, age, anatomy and other individual factors can all influence the wider picture, so a single online percentage should not be treated as your dog’s personal probability.
Flare-up, recurrence or a completely new problem?
Owners often use “flare-up” to describe any return of pain or weakness, but similar signs can have different causes. It may be another IVDD episode, ongoing pain from the previous problem, an orthopaedic issue or another neurological condition. The symptoms alone cannot reliably tell you which.
The practical rule is simple: if meaningful signs return, especially neurological signs, have the dog reassessed.
Possible warning signs of another IVDD episode
Back or neck pain
Yelping, trembling, a tense or hunched posture, reluctance to move or difficulty getting comfortable.
Wobbliness or weakness
Swaying, crossing the hind legs, stumbling, scuffing nails or struggling to rise normally.
Knuckling or dragging
A paw turns under, fails to correct normally, or one or both legs begin to drag.
Loss of walking ability
Sudden inability to stand or walk is a neurological emergency sign.
Bladder changes
New difficulty urinating, leakage or loss of normal bladder control alongside weakness should be reported urgently.
What should I do if I suspect another episode?
- Stop unrestricted activity. Prevent running, jumping and stairs while you arrange veterinary advice.
- Contact your vet. Explain the previous IVDD history, when the new signs began and whether they are progressing.
- Describe current function. Tell the team whether your dog can stand and walk, whether paws are knuckling or dragging, whether pain is controlled and whether urination is normal.
- Do not restart leftover medication on your own. Ask the veterinary team what is appropriate now.
- Ask whether referral or imaging is needed. The answer depends on the neurological examination and severity of the new episode.
Can IVDD recur after surgery?
Yes. Surgery treats the clinically important lesion identified for that episode; it does not make every other intervertebral disc permanently immune from degeneration or herniation. If new pain or neurological signs appear after a dog has recovered from surgery, contact the veterinary team rather than assuming the surgery has “failed”.
Can IVDD recur after conservative treatment?
Yes. A dog that improved with conservative management can later have another episode. A future episode may not have the same severity or need the same treatment, so the previous plan should not simply be restarted without reassessment.
Can recurrence be completely prevented?
No strategy can guarantee that another disc will never herniate. Long-term planning can still focus on sensible, low-risk measures: maintaining a healthy body condition, following veterinary guidance on exercise, reducing uncontrolled high-impact jumping where practical, using secure footing and recognising warning signs early.
Be cautious with products, supplements or programmes that claim to eliminate recurrence risk. Prevention is about risk reduction and preparedness, not a guarantee.
Build a simple recurrence plan
- Keep your regular vet and referral-centre details easy to find.
- Know which signs were important in the previous episode, without assuming a future episode will look identical.
- Have a safe way to restrict movement and transport your dog if symptoms return.
- Keep an up-to-date medication list and relevant discharge notes.
- Know which signs mean you should seek urgent help rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my dog is having an IVDD flare-up?
You cannot reliably confirm recurrence at home. A return of spinal pain, wobbliness, weakness, knuckling or dragging warrants veterinary advice, particularly if signs are new or worsening.
Does a second IVDD episode always mean surgery?
No. Treatment depends on the new neurological examination, pain, progression and imaging where indicated. A previous treatment choice does not automatically determine the next one.
Can a dog have IVDD in more than one disc?
Yes. Degenerative disc disease can involve multiple discs, which is one reason a later episode may occur even after successful treatment of an earlier lesion.
A recurrence cannot be diagnosed online. New pain or neurological signs should be assessed by a veterinary professional, and sudden loss of walking, paralysis, severe pain or new difficulty urinating needs urgent veterinary attention.
If symptoms return
Treat a suspected recurrence as a new clinical problem
Stop uncontrolled movement
Prevent jumping, stairs and repeated walking tests while you contact your veterinary team.
Describe what changed
Note when the new pain or neurological signs started, whether they are worsening and what function your dog currently has.
Do not self-restart old medication
Previous prescriptions may no longer be appropriate. Ask the treating vet what to give and when.
Know the urgent signs
Loss of walking, rapidly progressive weakness, severe pain or new urinary difficulty needs prompt veterinary assessment.