You do not need to understand everything at once. Start with what you are seeing, protect your dog from unnecessary movement and use this page to choose the right next step.
IVDD in dogs can cause spinal pain, wobbliness, weakness, loss of walking and bladder problems. These signs can also occur with other neurological or orthopaedic conditions, so symptoms alone cannot confirm IVDD. A veterinary examination is the right next step, and rapidly worsening neurological signs need prompt assessment.12
This guide draws on peer-reviewed veterinary research and the 2022 ACVIM consensus statement on acute canine thoracolumbar IVDD. See the sources below →
Prevent running, jumping and stairs while you arrange veterinary advice. Do not stretch, manipulate or “test” your dog's back. Activity restriction is a core part of medical management for acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion.2
Move slowly and keep the body supported. If your dog is painful or weak, ask the veterinary team how they want you to transport them.
IVDD cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone. Contact your vet for assessment. If your dog cannot walk, is rapidly worsening, has severe uncontrolled pain or cannot urinate, treat it as urgent.
Unable to stand, collapsing, dragging one or both back legs, or suddenly losing use of the hind limbs.
See this symptom →Unsteady or swaying back legs, crossing the hind feet, knuckling, scuffing the nails or another noticeable change in gait. Worsening weakness should not be watched at home without veterinary advice.
See mobility changes →Yelping when lifted or moved, trembling, a guarded or hunched posture, or reacting around the neck or back. Severe or uncontrolled pain warrants urgent veterinary help.
See pain signs →Leaking urine, difficulty emptying the bladder or appearing unable to pass urine can occur with neurological dysfunction and needs veterinary assessment.
See emergency guidance →Yes. IVDD can resemble other neurological, orthopaedic and spinal conditions. Symptoms alone cannot tell you which condition is causing the problem, so a veterinary examination matters. If advanced imaging is discussed, it can help locate and characterise the problem and guide the treatment decision. Read the MRI & diagnosis guide →
Yes. Similar signs can occur with other neurological, orthopaedic and spinal conditions. A veterinary examination is needed to work out what is causing the problem; Aubenord cannot diagnose IVDD from symptoms alone.
Not every suspected case has the same urgency. However, inability to stand or walk, rapidly worsening weakness, severe or uncontrolled pain, or being unable to urinate needs urgent veterinary care. New weakness, gait changes or spinal pain should still be discussed promptly with your vet.
If any urgent warning signs are present, contact a veterinary service now. Otherwise, contact your vet promptly for advice rather than waiting for major deterioration or trying to diagnose the cause at home.
Your vet will usually start with the history and a physical and neurological examination, including pain, posture, walking ability and neurological function. They can then decide whether referral, advanced imaging or a particular treatment pathway should be discussed.
If your dog cannot walk, is rapidly worsening, has severe uncontrolled pain or cannot urinate, start here.
See emergency guidance →Learn what IVDD is and why your veterinary team may discuss neurological assessment, MRI or CT.
Use the UK or USA directory when your veterinary team is discussing neurology or spinal referral care.
Open the specialist directory →If surgery, conservative treatment or recovery care is already part of the conversation, continue with the relevant guide.
We're here to help you every step of the way — with clearer information, practical resources and routes to specialist support inspired by Loui's own IVDD journey.
We use peer-reviewed veterinary research and specialist consensus guidance to support the medical information on Aubenord. We then translate that evidence into plain-English owner guidance; it does not replace an individual veterinary assessment.
This page is educational information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. IVDD can resemble other neurological and orthopaedic problems, and treatment decisions depend on an individual veterinary assessment. If you are worried your dog is deteriorating, contact a veterinary professional promptly.
Trust & safety
Aubenord provides general educational guidance. Diagnosis, treatment and changes to an individual dog’s care plan should come from the veterinary professionals responsible for that dog.
Aubenord cannot assess your dog’s neurological function, pain, bladder or bowel function, diagnosis, rehabilitation needs or treatment plan.
Follow your veterinary team’s individual advice. Seek prompt veterinary assessment for new or worsening pain, weakness, wobbliness, bladder changes, paralysis or loss of walking ability.
Aubenord’s IVDD content is prepared by the Aubenord Editorial Team using peer-reviewed veterinary literature, specialist consensus guidance and reputable clinical sources.
Where owner experience, including Loui’s story, is included, it is clearly separated from veterinary evidence.
