Understand IVDD
IVDD is an umbrella term for disorders in which an intervertebral 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.
Use this page for the overview, then follow the detailed guides for diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Urgent: If your dog is unable to walk, dragging their legs, rapidly becoming weaker, in severe pain or having new difficulty urinating, contact a vet urgently.
A Simple Explanation
Intervertebral discs sit between the vertebrae and 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, by the impact of rapidly extruded disc material, or by a combination of both. The effect ranges from spinal pain to weakness, loss of coordination and, in severe cases, paralysis. Source 1
Disc types explained
Veterinary literature still commonly uses the historical Hansen classification to describe two important patterns of intervertebral disc herniation, but modern classification recognises that canine disc disease is more varied than two labels alone.2
Degenerated material from the centre of the disc breaks through the outer annulus and enters the vertebral canal. In acute thoracolumbar cases, spinal cord injury can reflect both compression and the impact or contusion caused by rapidly extruded material.1
Type I extrusion is strongly associated with chondrodystrophic breeds, in which accelerated disc degeneration is linked with an FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 12.1
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, chronic compressive problem, although individual presentations vary.2
Breed Predisposition
Yes. IVDD can affect many dogs, but inherited body and disc characteristics mean some breeds are more predisposed than others. We avoid using unverified lifetime-risk percentages and focus on what owners can act on safely.
Chondrodystrophic breeds have inherited skeletal and cartilage characteristics associated with earlier intervertebral disc degeneration. In plain English, some breeds are biologically more predisposed to disc disease than others.
Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Corgis, Shih Tzus, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Pekingese and Lhasa Apsos are among the breeds commonly discussed in relation to IVDD predisposition.
Breed risk can make IVDD more likely, but it cannot confirm the cause of pain, weakness or gait changes. Any dog with concerning neurological signs still needs an individual veterinary assessment.
Signs to Watch For
These signs are not specific to IVDD. Other spinal, neurological and orthopaedic conditions can look similar, so veterinary assessment matters.
Crying out, trembling, a tense posture, reluctance to move or be touched, and neck or back pain can occur.
Weakness, wobbling, paw scuffing or knuckling, dragging the back legs or difficulty standing can be neurological warning signs.
Sudden loss of walking, paralysis or new bladder problems need urgent veterinary assessment.
What Happens Next
A vet assesses pain, gait, posture, reflexes, strength and other neurological responses to localise the problem and estimate severity.
Walking ability, voluntary movement and, in the most severe cases, veterinary assessment of deep pain perception help describe neurological status.
MRI or CT may be recommended to identify the affected disc and assess spinal cord compression or other injury.
The veterinary team combines the examination, imaging where needed, pain, progression and the individual dog’s circumstances when discussing conservative treatment, surgery or referral.
Treatment Options
May be appropriate for selected dogs depending on neurological status, pain and the veterinary assessment. The plan can include prescribed activity restriction, medication and carefully controlled return to activity.
Decompressive surgery may be recommended when neurological deficits are severe or progressive, pain cannot be adequately controlled, imaging shows clinically important compression, or other case-specific factors favour surgery.
The right option depends on your dog's neurological examination, pain, imaging where indicated and veterinary advice. Online information cannot determine which treatment your dog needs.
Recovery and Outlook
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 to prognosis. Source 1
Quick Answers
It can be. Sudden weakness, inability to walk, severe pain or new bladder problems require urgent veterinary assessment.
Some dogs can be managed without surgery, depending on neurological status, pain and veterinary assessment. More severe or progressive cases may need surgical treatment.
Yes. A dog can later develop disease or herniation involving another disc, so follow-up and sensible risk reduction remain important.
Evidence behind this guide
Aubenord summarises veterinary research in plain English for owner education. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment advice from your veterinary team.
Choose your country in our IVDD specialist directory to find referral centres and veterinary specialists experienced in spinal and neurological cases.
Aubenord provides general educational information and cannot diagnose or treat your dog. Every IVDD case is different. Discuss symptoms, treatment and care decisions with a qualified veterinarian or veterinary specialist.
If your dog shows sudden pain, weakness, paralysis, difficulty walking or new bladder problems, seek urgent veterinary care.
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.
Plain-English orientation
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a group of problems involving the discs between the bones of the spine. Owners may also hear phrases such as slipped disc, disc extrusion or disc herniation. Those terms are not always interchangeable, which is why diagnosis belongs with a veterinary professional.
See the warning signs, including pain, wobbliness, weakness, dragging, knuckling and loss of walking ability.
Understand the veterinary examination, neurological assessment and when MRI or other imaging may be discussed.
Compare surgery, conservative management and the recovery questions that usually follow.
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