Symptoms of Cervical IVDD in Dogs

Cervical disc disease in dogs is a common cause of low head carriage, muscle spasms, spontaneous crying or yelping, and walking slowly. It occurs most frequently in dachshunds, French bulldogs, chihuahuas, and beagles.
Dr. DiVita will review the signs, diagnosis, and the two different treatment options for dogs with cervical disc disease.
00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Clinical signs
02:14 - Spinal cord injury grading scheme
03:08 - Diagnosis
03:56 - Treatment option 1
04:38 - Treatment option 2
05:21 - Prognosis
05:42 - Summary
➡️ Learn more about Cervical IVDD in Dogs
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[@RIPPER696]

My 8 year old Dachshund was diagnosed 4 weeks ago. I was estimated $20k for her surgery and that was just impossible to do. She went for normal happy healthy to a stage 4 in her rear legs in a matter of hours. After taking her to the emergency vet and getting bad news about the surgery cost I decided to go with crate rest with meds and hope for the best. The first and second week she remained the same with no improvement. The third week was good and bad, she had regained some movement in her thighs but was very uncomfortable and in pain. The fourth week was a game changer! She has regained a bit of movement, she kinda looks like a baby learning to walk. Very uncoordinated but she at least is making headway and her pain seems to be minimal this week. Fingers crossed 🤞 this happy dork of a dog gets to run and be happy again 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@annez7577]

Hello, how is it going with your dog?

[@XxDainBramagedxX]

My chihuahua was diagnosed with IVDD in her back and now she is having issues in her neck. For anyone worried about the price of surgery, I can't afford the surgery, but the meds have worked for her in the past and made her back legs (which she couldnt use) work again. Its okay, we'll all get through it. Its so hard to hear and see your baby like this, but they will get through it with lots of love.

[@homebrandrules]

thankyou for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@_KLauren]

Which medicines was your pet prescribed?

[@mrsdavidwbeauchamp]

What's meds worked for her?

[@punkylizzy8675]

Yes my dog can’t walk now and was prescribed Gabapentin and steroids but it’s not working at all. Can’t afford surgery either and breaks my heart to see my boy like this.

[@XxDainBramagedxX]

@@_KLauren Gabapentin and a steroid called Prednisolone

[@ecosystems]

Why does it cost $2k for an MRI? Why does it cost $4k for the surgery? Why does it cost another $4k to $6k for meds and pre/post operative care (3 to 7 days)? In the US this disease will cost about $10k. You don't have to be poor for this to be a difficult decision. especially if you have children.

[@SEVNeurology]

Great question. We would love to do things for free and we often do. That said, it’s expensive to own and maintain an MRI machine, have dedicated/talented staff 24/7/365 and the equipment and facilities to perform these sorts of specialized surgeries. Vets and their team members make about half as much (or less) than their human healthcare counterparts. Pet insurance is a great way to plan for care. Payment plans exist. We have started a foundation to help people in need. sevneurology.com/vcf-donations/for-the-love-of-pets/ Here is a recent article on costs of an MRI. sevneurology.com/blog/dog-mri-cost/

[@ecosystems]

@@SEVNeurology thanks for the response and I read the articles. However my initial reaction is there is half truth to what you have stated. The pet owner is faced with having to make an immediate decision on the spot and veterinarians don't offer "foundation" assistance. It's like it doesn't exist and doesn't factor into the pet owner's decision. What is needed is a disruptive solution in the veterinarian industry to drive out inefficient operations that keep costs high. I have no knowledge of what profits are made by Veterinarian hospitals and private practice but I'll bet it's lucrative. All at the expense of the pet owners, some who are poor and Ill advised to spend $10k on an operation for their pet.

[@Free2ATAC]

Any medical stuff in the u.s. is more expense then in most countries

[@Trd2020]

Because the whole system is a scam

[@thedude2897]

If a human can pay $300 for an mri theres no reason an mri for a dog should cost as much as they do. Yes they have to be under during it but so doesn't justify it. The vet world is all about the money.

[@viscount9625]

My 9 year old Shih tzu was just diagnosed last night. It's heartbreaking to watch such a active and happy dog change so quickly. Your videos have put me at ease with the knowledge of his condition. He is type two (walking but is still wobbly) and we are crating him for the necessary time. Thank you for providing such clear cut and understandable information for dog owners like me to learn from.

[@SEVNeurology]

Glad you found it useful!

[@philchavez586]

try wet cat food like Friskie's or Nine lives. half a can twice a day for 3 days. worked for my 2 dogs. dry cat food might work also. I saw results within 8 hours.

[@luckypenny4263]

Yes same here I have the same breed and was also diagnosed with the same disease. She was so hyper lively heartbreaking to watch. I’m now holding her up to eat and help her to the bathroom breaks. She is grade IV

[@gabesmith5570]

very well done informative video, thank you.

[@plnkfloydian7814]

Bless their hearts, suffering in silence.

[@thatpolodude]

Thanks! This is what I was looking for

[@SEVNeurology]

Glad we could help!

[@lindaturner7847]

My sweet min pin Sophie was 11-1/2 yrs old and was diagnosed with this. No way could I afford surgery! She could no longer chase squirrels and rabbits. No more walks. No more playing "toy". What kind of life would that have been for her? It's impossible to simmer a min pin's spirit. The medicines weren't holding her pain back. I had to let her go. She was the first pet I'd had as an adult. I'm 72.

[@hendrawanfernandosianturi9387]

Super informative video, thank you very much!

[@SEVNeurology]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HUX8075]

It really is. I have a pitbull terrier which is not a breed that typically gets ivdd. But he got the Zoomies and slipped a disc in his temporarily paralyzed. I learned a ton in this video like my dog does not have that disease . He's just injured and he should be okay although it's sad and hard to take care of

[@iconk66]

My family and I just had to put our 3 year old American Akita to sleep earlier today and I swear it was so heartbreaking to watch our baby girl who is highly active and energetic just lose all control of her limbs and bowels . She became paralyzed within days . I hope anyone that has a pet that’s suffering from this disease I pray for you and wish you the best of luck bc it sucks to lose a pet . A family member 😢

[@clckiss9739]

This breaks my heart 😢

[@jesselopez9240]

Hi there we started giving our 9week old the meds we bought which are paxaid and vibactra. We started yesterday . My question is on the Paxaid I know the first day we did the syringe every 15 min like it said for a whole hour. But on the next day do we only give it to him once daily? It really doesn’t give us info on directions where we do not really understand. He is taking the antibiotic and other meds that the dr is giving us as well. So can you please let me know how much for the Paxaid daily do we give? And for how many days?

[@Lakridza67]

My Beagle collapsed at home a few weeks ago. Totally paralysed. I had the MRI done and also the surgery. $10,000 is about what it cost. My baby is still not walking but I am super hopeful of seeing him walk again. It was C4-C5 where the disc was either destroyed, or it was a tumour. We are awaiting biopsy but we are very hopeful🙏🏻🐶🐾🐾

[@SEVNeurology]

Thank you for sharing your story. And for caring for her. We are rooting for you and her.

[@Lakridza67]

@@SEVNeurology thank you. My Beagle is a boy. He is 11 years old and he is walking and running around again.🫶🏻💯🥳

[@BalarajMenon]

@Krisser, So glad he's able to walk again. How long after surgery was he able to walk?

[@Lakridza67]

@@BalarajMenon about 2 weeks after the surgery.

[@allisondixon7665]

Would welcome any info from experience you may offer. Our pug had a big herniation at discs C6 and C7 and was limping and favoring his front right leg so he had surgery. He struggled enough at the end of the first post-op week (which he spent at home, the doctor did not offer more than two hospital nights for him post-op) that he went on a strong injectable steroid for 7 days. He improved while on that medication, but as we weaned him off, using prednisone every other day, he declined and is now favoring his front left leg and seems very painful. He is eating, drinking and going potty as normal. He is now on 5mg prednisone daily and 5mL amantadine daily until we can talk to neurologist tomorrow. He seems very uncomfortable and painful. Could he have suffered another injury? Doctor thinks there is some residual very small disc material that may have been left behind. Have you ever seen such extreme up and down post-op progress? Wish we lived near to your clinic! 😢

[@iveecai5743]

Thanks for the educational video. Do you offer video or phone consultation for pre-diagnosis?

[@SEVNeurology]

We're typically happy to look at a video. Unfortunately, without examining in person, we can't give a diagnosis, prescribe medications or a treatment plan, etc. We always recommend examination and consultation by a veterinarian or veterinary neurologist. We also get a ton of these sorts of requests, so there's only so many that we can answer with phone calls, etc.

[@thedude2897]

I know IVDD can cause some gi issues in dogs, but can diseases of the gi tract cause IVDD or spine inflamation? My almost 13 yr old Dachshund has a lot of gi issues. Ultrasounds show nothing, but she clearly has back issues. Trying to determine if taking her to a neurologist or doing gi biopsies would be smarter.

[@C8corvetteobsession901]

My 3 year old Frenchie was diagnosed today. He started acting a little weird last night and had shivers I thought he was cold. Woke up early this morning to him panting. Took him into the Vet walking but gingerly to him now not moving his rear legs! I’m terrified! Surgery is $10k and not a guarantee. He hasn’t pooped or peed since this AM that I know of. He looks miserable and all I can do is pump him with the meds. This is awful for such a playful and athletic dog!

[@SEVNeurology]

Sorry to hear. Surgery isn’t a guarantee (nothing in healthcare is), but it absolutely gives the best chances. I’d encourage you to consider your neurologist’s recommendations.

[@margiebridges1024]

😢🙏…..

[@ecosystems]

I was curious how it turned out with your Frenchie?

[@latinlvr87]

My chihuahua just got diagnosed with this. I love that it curable but the price they put on the surgery makes it hard to reach. My baby is going to need surgery and they said at the very least it’ll be 9k. 😢

[@MrsB2003]

have you thought of taking your pup overseas for medical care? Plane ticket, lodging, medical care, and food should be less than $2k. I hope your pup feels better!

[@NilaQuinn]

Hi, my 4 year old frenchie is currently on crate rest after c5-c6 disc slippage. He also holds up his left paw and we have been told it is because some of the disc material has gone into an area where the nerve roots are. I know you said in the video that the disc material will scar over the area it has gone into the spinal cord, but do you know if the disc material in the nerve root area will scar over as well? And if so, how long will that take so i know he will stop feeling sciatica-like pain in his left thoracic leg?

[@susiemorris2334]

I can't give you those answers myself but I can tell you that my dog had a herniated/slipped disc in his neck between 5th & 6th vertebrae back in mid November last year. He presented with lowered head and slightly hunched back and yelping with pain when moving in a particular way. He was admitted to doggy hospital then transferred to see a specialist (neurologist). He had an MRI scan to confirm diagnosis and went onto 9 different drugs - ranging from paracetamol, gabapentin, amantadine, diazepam, ketamine, methadone, rimadyl & prednisolone - initially administered intravenously - but upon release from hospital 4 days later, some drugs were given twice a day, others once a day, others every 6 hours. Within a week he was off the diazepam so was a lot perkier and pain-free. He had a month of complete crate rest/lockdown - only going out to the garden on a harness and lead, to toilet and straight back to his bed. He was then allowed access to the living room (when I was in there) in month 2. but NO going on the furniture and no going in the car. No walks - still only out on a lead for toilet. End of month 2. he was allowed to start with 3 x 5 mins walks a day. This was maintained for 2 weeks then increased by 5 mins a week. We are now up to 3 x 25 mins walks a day. He is now, finally, drug free - having come off the Amantadine 15 days ago and will be starting with his physiotherapy in the next few weeks. To the untrained eye, he looks completely normal, but slipped discs can take 6 months or more to truly fix - so we've still got another 3 months of recuperation time. Not sure if this helps you at all but wanted to tell you my experience.

[@iashakezula]

I have a bichon and 2 vet diagnosed her with IVDD . She only got full spine X-ray with anesthesia. The first vet didn’t see obvious anatomical signs. They really tell what to do and we gave the meds. We did not crate her. I told my husband not to allow her to get on the sofa but he is no help. Her pain seem to dissipate so I tried weaning her her meds and then she started limping. Then she is constant pain. Now she is around the clock medicated. I took her to another vet but they think her front leg problem is part of it.

[@chloeneo6047]

How is your bichon now?

[@gretchelaporbo5309]

What causes this

[@Krolina16296]

my dog had a hernia on his neck and he had surgery a week ago, he’s still not walking straight, has no balance and can’t support himself while pooping, i know recovery is slow so i’m trying to remain calm. however what’s worrying me the most right now is i’ve noticed he’s in pain for about 40mins after eating. I called the vet yesterday and they told me to bring him in today which i did, i hadn’t even taken him out of his carrier and the vet said he was fine and to come back in 4 days for sutures removal. can this just be normal inflammation because of the trachea and esophagus manipulation in surgery or should i take him for a second opinion?

[@SEVNeurology]

Occasionally dogs are still painful right after surgery. Not usually, but sometimes. If not getting better, recheck with your neurologist.

[@batsukhbyambajaw6007]

Hello. I am from Mongolia My 9 years old spaniel having spinal disc problem and he is type two so wobbly just taking 3 or 4 steps in my country there is no one can do surgery . And we went vet today but they don't give us medicine or something els Is there a any chance to cure without medicine or surgeries ?

[@ecosystems]

Much time has passed since your post... how is your pet doing? It's a terrible disease and I read that keeping the pet in a crate to restrict movement is necessary for 4 to 6 weeks, with short allowance for potty breaks. A vet would give you the best advice.

[@batsukhbyambajaw6007]

@@ecosystems thank you he is now doing fine

[@somieejaphet3547]

@@batsukhbyambajaw6007 how did your dog got cured 🙏🏾

[@maximilianoisg.o.a.t3463]

@@batsukhbyambajaw6007 Glad to know that your dog is fine. How did it get cured ?

[@walterwhite7552]

Hey i don’t know if u will answer please if you can do it’s my friends dog who i care deeply about the dog was in a lot of pain and whining I think it’s a stage 3 or 4 what can I or the friend do

[@mikewong2171]

Has your friend taken to the vet? Or a neurologist? Finding the cause helps us know the specific treatment and prognosis (likelihood of getting better).

[@walterwhite7552]

@Mike Wong the friend has and they said that the dog should either get put down or go through surgery I’m not sure of the cause but yeah

[@walterwhite7552]

@@mikewong2171 ^

[@walterwhite7552]

@@mikewong2171 from what I know though it’s so bad for the dog that he can move he actually moved for the first time yesterday which is really good but he’s in a lot of pain when he moves still am not sure of the cause but when it did get bad I know the dog was whining and crying because it hurt so much for him

[@ecosystems]

@@mikewong2171 curious to know the outcome of your friend's pet?

[@FiveJayGaming]

My mini dachshund just had this surgery, and I’m shocked to see in your video a dachshund going from no leg movement to walking on all 4 legs a mere 3 days after surgery?? Is that right, just 3 days? Not 3 weeks? It’s been nearly 3 days for mine and she’s not much different at all so far so I’m a little nervous she’s not going to be able to walk again 😢

[@SEVNeurology]

Every dog is different. Some recover faster than others. How severely affected was your pup? How long had symptoms been going on prior to surgery? What tests were done (MRI, CT, something else)? Who did surgery? How did they feel surgery went?

[@FiveJayGaming]

@@SEVNeurology it seemed like it came out of nowhere; she was moving around fine and then all of a sudden she couldn’t stand on her back legs one day. Didn’t notice any odd behavior in the previous days and weeks, and no event happened recently that would seem to have caused a disc to slip suddenly, though she has always been bad at using her ramps with the couch. She has probably been hiding pain so effectively we didn’t even know she was in pain. So yeah, one day her back 2 legs just didn’t work well. We take her into the ER vet at the U of MN, and yeah she’s nearly paralyzed (paresis, I believe they called it). She had an MRI and underwent the surgery on Monday, kept her for 2 nights and said on the 3rd morning they thought maybe she was getting worse again and they wanted to keep her another night just to make sure more disk material wasn’t coming out and would require a second surgery. By the evening they were feeling better about her, and they had us get her the following afternoon (yesterday). So today is day 4 then. She can wag her tail a bit sometimes, and the vet said she does have feeling in her toes and should be able to urinate on her own but is seeming to choose not to so we are expressing her. They were hopeful she could regain some motor function and gave us an 80-90% prognosis. But still that leaves 10-20% chance that she won’t recover so I’m a little worried seeing footage of some dogs being completely paralyzed and 3 days later they’re walking… I know I should be patient for the whole 4-6 initial recovery period, but of course it’s really stressful and sad

[@FiveJayGaming]

@@SEVNeurology a little update: yesterday they did an MRI and they found the place they had cleared of disk material was compressed again. So they did the surgery, and found that “so much more disk material extruded it was amazing” 😱 This morning they gave us they called and gave us the first significant good news in the last 2 weeks: she is able to voluntarily move her right leg! So I feel justified in my concerns and I’m glad we took her back. To be fair, though, the surgeon did initially tell us the first time she was concerned about additional extrusion because the disk material was still very soft and not gritty yet so not very deteriorated. So I don’t think all dogs that undergo the surgery will have a similar risk, my dog was just special (in, sadly, a bad way)

[@SEVNeurology]

@@FiveJayGaming Glad you made the right (but tough) decision to go back in. It happens... Sorry that it was your pup, but again, it was the right decision by you and the neurologist to re-MRI and go back to surgery. Gives your pup the best chances. Best wishes.

[@FiveJayGaming]

@@SEVNeurology another update: she’s recovering so well! It’s almost 3 weeks since the surgery now, and she’s gained all of her personality back so she must be feeling better! She’s able to use both back legs, though the left one doesn’t quite lift up all the way and she’s wobbly still. But she really wants to move all the time, it’s a challenge to prevent her from running off all the time! We block her in around her food so she doesn’t make a run for it though and most of the rest of the time she’s not in her kennel we’re holding her. She’s using the bathroom on her own, too; so glad we don’t have to express that bladder! So while she’s not 100% I’m hopeful she will get close one day and even if she doesn’t her life will be so much better now after the 2nd surgery than if we had only done the one (or none of course!) It was EXPENSIVE, but it is so worth her having quality of life back again. I highly recommend the surgery to anyone contemplating it for their pet!

[@JayzBeerz]

My little pup is at grade 1 and is on meds. What is the cost of the surgery if need be?

[@ecosystems]

Not counting post operative care (assuming you or someone else can do it) you should count on $9k to $10k at a minimum in the US. I've read where Veterinarian hospitals in Mexico provide the service for a fraction of the cost that US Veterinarians charge.

[@JayzBeerz]

@@ecosystems thank you for the info. he is doing better now with pain meds and crate training.

[@ecosystems]

@@JayzBeerz in glad your pet is doing well. If I could do it over, I would put my pet on crate rest at the first sign of a sore back.

[@descothedon]

@@ecosystemshello any today on your dog? My dog recently had this problem when I picked him up he started crying . And now 3 days later he is in pain and looks like he has stage 1 . Any advice you can give me thanks in advance

[@ecosystems]

@descothedon The only advice I can offer is to have him seen by a vet. Unfortunately, outside of crate rest, all solutions are very expensive in the US. I am still irritated that the surgery and post-operative care is now well north of $10k. Keep in mind that recurrence statistics indicate that 10-15% of pets will have a reoccurance within the first year (my quick internet search). That's well over 2 months of household take-home pay in the US. If you have the money then your pet hit the lottery when you adopted it. However, if you are like most Americans with a family or still working to secure your own retirement, then this is a difficult decision.

[@chezzachezza7325]

Our baby malshi right leg this is our not first week fingers crossed

[@ProBusterxXx]

had Same condition here,rescued her from street in very poor condition, now she got parvo and was treating but ran out of money, i sold my small tv, no money and she died. I ate it🥺. I am poor. But i gave my one time bread everyday when she was alive. Iam really poor and living in bamboo. This is my second hand broke mobile i use it for work. I tied her on verandha coz if she gets disease or mates with upcoming babes , then i am *@#₹* for life with this condition. I did it for her and she was happy. Rip miley😢.

[@seidonpumba]

Try Native Pet inflammatory supplements it worked for are shitzu.

[@janpalmero_]

treatments are too expensive🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 i think my frenchie has level 1-2 ivdd 😢😢😢😢😢

[@philchavez586]

Try wet cat food like friskies, a quarter of a can 2 or 3 times a day for 3 days. This worked for my two Dashhund dogs. Results happend immediately.

[@Krolina16296]

@@philchavez586 why are you suggesting this for a ivdd? how would cat food help a spinal disorder? if your dachshunds have it and you’re trying to fix it with cat food only and no actual treatment they’re gonna have bigger issues in the near future :(

[@MartianBuddy]

My dog yelps when I kiss her neck. Im scared

[@bloop8193]

My dog has this symptoms but shes twitching so much

[@chrisduncan4406]

Any update? My Frenchie is in the same boat

[@maselm]

@@chrisduncan4406 my Frenchie too 😢

[@chrisduncan4406]

@@maselm There’s a good chance it’s just a muscle strain. However, watch the strengthen her back legs if she at any moment, loses any strength, take her to a vet immediately.

[@maselm]

@@chrisduncan4406 Thanks for the advice. Her legs seem okay at the moment, she’s struggling to lift her neck and is in pain with “the shakes” while she’s lying down - twitching a lot. We’ve booked an MRI for Friday to get to the bottom of it. Not cheap at all in the UK - £3500!

[@rajachaudhary4593]

Hello mam i from india....and i found a puppy in jungle....and he is a german shefferd but the problem is puppy is not walking to the back legs but in his back legs move.... so mam please advise me

[@bloop8193]

It can be injured or you can go to vet

[@mariavanessaquino914]

I have problem of my dachshund I don’t know how treat her I don’t have money to take her in the vet please can somebody can help me

[@SEVNeurology]

It's really hard to help too much without seeing her in person. While I realize the expense seeing a vet, it's actually the best advice I can give. You could also crate rest her so that she is less likely to further injure herself. With regards to medications, etc, I can't answer that without examining, etc. Sorry you're going through this.

[@ecosystems]

Mexico has less expensive options. I hope you found help and your pet has recovered.

[@chingiguis3624]

​@@SEVNeurology my dachshund having this problem can I ask help so I can give her vitamins or med for pain .I can't afford to send her to the vet😢

[@joeyortiz29]

I can't fucking afford any of these treatments. He's not even my dog and I'm just watching him die wtf am I supposed to do? I can't get money fast enough out of wherever tf. It's getting worse too fast. If I take him to the vet with no money will they do anything for him?

[@24debb]

Just take him to the vet and save his life hopefully someone will help you out but is not fair that he’s suffering because of money. Hope you can save him ♥️

[@ecosystems]

What did you end up doing with the dog?

[@ProBusterxXx]

I had Same condition here,rescued her from street in very poor condition, now she got parvo and was treating but ran out of money, i sold my small tv, no money and she died. I ate it🥺. I am poor. But i gave my one time bread everyday when she was alive. Iam really poor and living in bamboo. This is my second hand broke mobile i use it for work. Rip miley😢.