Understand IVDD
What is IVDD in dogs?
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is an umbrella term for disorders in which a spinal disc degenerates and herniates. Disc material can extrude or protrude into the vertebral canal, causing spinal pain and, when the spinal cord or nerve roots are affected, weakness, loss of coordination or paralysis.
A simple explanation
IVDD affects the cushioning discs between the bones of the spine
Intervertebral discs help the spine move while absorbing load. With IVDD, a disc degenerates and may herniate into the vertebral canal. The spinal cord can be injured by compression, the impact of rapidly extruded material, or both.
Why symptoms can vary so much
The effect ranges from spinal pain to weakness, loss of coordination and, in severe cases, paralysis. The location of the lesion, degree of spinal cord injury and neurological function all matter.
Disc types explained
Hansen Type I and Type II: what do they mean?
Hansen Type I — disc extrusion
Degenerated material from the centre of the disc breaks through the outer annulus and enters the vertebral canal. Acute spinal cord injury can reflect both compression and the impact of rapidly extruded material.
Hansen Type II — disc protrusion
The outer part of the disc degenerates and protrudes into the vertebral canal rather than suddenly extruding a large amount of central disc material. It is often associated with a more gradual compressive problem.
Breed predisposition
Are some dogs more predisposed to IVDD?
Yes. Inherited body and disc characteristics mean some breeds are more predisposed than others, but breed risk cannot diagnose the cause of pain, weakness or gait changes in an individual dog.
What “chondrodystrophic” means
Some breeds have inherited skeletal and cartilage characteristics associated with earlier intervertebral disc degeneration.
Breeds often discussed
Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Corgis, Shih Tzus, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Pekingese and Lhasa Apsos are among breeds commonly represented in IVDD risk literature.
Predisposition is not diagnosis
Any dog with concerning neurological signs still needs an individual veterinary assessment, regardless of breed.
Signs to watch for
Common signs seen with IVDD
These signs are not specific to IVDD. Other spinal, neurological and orthopaedic conditions can look similar, so veterinary assessment matters.
Pain or sensitivity
Crying out, trembling, a tense posture, reluctance to move or be touched, and neck or back pain can occur.
Changes in movement
Weakness, wobbling, paw scuffing or knuckling, dragging the back legs or difficulty standing can be neurological warning signs.
Severe neurological signs
Sudden loss of walking, paralysis or new bladder problems need urgent veterinary assessment.
What happens next
How IVDD is assessed
Neurological examination
A vet assesses pain, gait, posture, reflexes, strength and other neurological responses to localise the problem and estimate severity.
Neurological severity
Walking ability, voluntary movement and, in the most severe cases, veterinary assessment of deep pain perception help describe neurological status.
Imaging
MRI or CT may be recommended to identify the affected disc and assess spinal cord compression or other injury.
Treatment plan
The team combines the examination, imaging where needed, pain, progression and the individual dog’s circumstances when discussing treatment or referral.
Treatment options
Conservative management or surgery?
Conservative management
May be appropriate for selected dogs depending on neurological status, pain and veterinary assessment. A plan can include prescribed activity restriction, medication and carefully controlled return to activity.
Surgical treatment
Decompressive surgery may be recommended when deficits are severe or progressive, pain cannot be adequately controlled, imaging shows clinically important compression or other factors favour surgery.
Recovery and outlook
Recovery depends heavily on neurological severity
Dogs with IVDD do not all start from the same neurological point, so one recovery percentage cannot describe every case. Walking status, voluntary movement, deep pain perception in severe cases, imaging findings, treatment and complications can all matter.
Quick answers
IVDD frequently asked questions
Is IVDD an emergency?
It can be. Sudden weakness, inability to walk, severe pain or new bladder problems require urgent veterinary assessment.
Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?
Some dogs can be managed without surgery, depending on neurological status, pain and veterinary assessment. More severe or progressive cases may need surgical treatment.
Can IVDD happen again?
Yes. A dog can later develop disease or herniation involving another disc, so follow-up and sensible risk reduction remain important.
Concerned that your dog may have IVDD?
Contact your vet if your dog has new spinal pain or neurological changes. If referral is recommended, use the specialist directory to find relevant centres.
Browse the IVDD specialist directoryLocation matters
Cervical IVDD and thoracolumbar IVDD can look different
IVDD can affect different parts of the spine. The symptom pattern can help a veterinary team localise the problem, but it cannot confirm the diagnosis at home.
Cervical IVDD — the neck
Neck pain, a guarded or lowered head position and reluctance to turn the neck can occur. More significant spinal cord involvement can affect the front legs as well as the back legs.
Thoracolumbar IVDD — the back
Mid-to-lower back lesions more commonly cause back pain plus hind-leg wobbling, weakness, paw scuffing, dragging or loss of walking ability.
If bladder function changes
New inability to pass urine or major bladder changes need urgent veterinary assessment. If your veterinary team has shown you bladder expression, use our safety-first technique guide as a reminder.
Trust & safety
Medical limitations & how this guide is prepared
This is an educational overview of intervertebral disc disease in dogs. Symptoms can overlap with other conditions, so diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with the veterinary team examining the dog.
Medical information & limitations
Aubenord cannot assess neurological function, pain, bladder or bowel function, imaging, diagnosis or an individual treatment plan.
New or worsening pain, weakness, paralysis, difficulty walking or major bladder changes need veterinary assessment.
How this content is researched
Aubenord uses peer-reviewed veterinary literature, specialist consensus guidance and modern IVDD classification research.
Evidence base
Sources & further reading
- Olby et al. (2022) — ACVIM consensus statement on acute canine thoracolumbar disc extrusion
- Fenn et al. (2020) — canine intervertebral disc disease classification and terminology
- Brisson (2010) — intervertebral disc disease in dogs
- Bergknut et al. (2013) — intervertebral disc degeneration in the dog
- Brown et al. (2017) — FGF4 retrogene, chondrodystrophy and IVDD susceptibility
Evidence limit: these sources support general clinical concepts and population-level risk. They cannot diagnose an individual dog or predict that dog’s outcome.