Nonsurgical Management of IVDD || Is Your Dog a Candidate?

IVDD can be described as a slipped disc, ruptured disc, herniated disc, or bulging disc, depending on the type of damage that occurs. If a disc swells or ruptures, it may strike or compress the spinal cord, affecting an animal’s ability to walk.
Decisions about IVDD treatment in dogs are made based on the severity and the duration of clinical signs. In some cases, IVDD can be managed non-surgically. However, without timely and appropriate treatment, IVDD can cause irreversible damage. If your dog is showing signs of spinal pain or limited mobility, it is important to consult a veterinary neurologist immediately.
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00:00 Introduction
00:49 Symptoms of IVDD
01:50 Treatment Options
02:49 Crate Rest Guidelines
04:02 Back Braces
04:18 Prognosis
04:56 Downsides of Nonsurgical Management

[@robertswift6101]

mine was crate ridden on pain meds and inflammatory meds..in 2 weeks he was back to himself,,i couldnt afford the mri or surgery and my 9 year old doxie is back to himself,,,i am so grateful and thankful he survived and made a recovery.

[@whatabreeze]

Question for you friend. Was your pup dealing with paralysis? Took mine to the ER last night and she was diagnosed with IVDD. They put her on pain meds and is in kennel too. But she’s not able to move her back legs at all. So I have to take her in today to get her bladder expelled. I’m wondering if your pup recovered from paralysis or lesser symptoms? Thank you in advance

[@robertswift6101]

@@whatabreeze mine made a full recovery in about 2 weeks but he wasnt as bad as i thought,,they say there are 5 levels as 5 being severe,i would say mine was a 3 and was given pain meds with anti inflammatory meds,i didnt get an xray or mri because its expensive and the mri gives the best results so i went with the meds and crate rest,,he could move his back legs when i brought him in,,,he only screamed when he first woke up the morning to go outside to pee and then he move a little better but once he laid back down he would stiff up again,but hes fine now...i got very lucky i guess because i thought he was done for,,,hope this helps and wish you the best for a recovery.

[@charliegalloway5948]

My 2 year old dachshund is one day into strict rest, besides the crate did you hold or wrap you pup so that they would not move?

[@robertswift6101]

@@charliegalloway5948 nope i just left him in the crate by himself,,with blankets of course and let him be unless he needed to go outside to use the bathroom..2 weeks later he was near back to normal,,,,and as of today right now 100% himself again

[@user-ml5qx5sm3w]

Reading your posts gives me hope. My baby girl is 14, with severe hip dysplasia, and now IVDD. Due to her age, I'm afraid to try surgery even if I could afford it. She's in hospital now, and I hope to bring her home on Friday. I'm already looking at wheelchairs and slings for mobility.

[@candyhr4152]

My 3 yo mini doxie has been diagnosed today. On strict crate rest. Pray she recovers. She is a wild girl. It will be hard to keep her still.❤

[@Oksana-ix6xq]

How is she❤

[@user-jd7tv7oj5s]

I pray for your doxie x

[@DarkDiyosa]

Shit, my dog is the same and goes nuts in the crate if she doesn’t see me. I haven’t gotten an actual diagnosis but the early symptoms fit her

[@candyhr4152]

Better! But still wont slow down so i dont think she will ever be 100 percent.​@Oksana-ix6xq

[@Oksana-ix6xq]

After one month of gabapentin and b complex vitamins and rest as much as possible, my dog recovered almost completely ❗praise God ❗ we take it easy from now on

[@31cats]

My experience don’t mess around hours can make the difference,get the surgery immediately. Both my dogs we tried meds etc and both times the surgeon said we barely made it into surgery to have any chance.each time it was 6000.00 about and it’s been 5 and 7 years now and only one time one of the dogs had pain,but it left after a few days.dont let your baby suffer get it done now. If you don’t have the money you can apply for a loan at the hospital.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Our 14 year old min pin has lost use of her back legs. Still has a hearty appetite and doesn’t show signs of pain. Going to Vet tomorrow.

[@xxxdpgxxxx1389]

What happen to your dog ?

[@clarissahelliwell7040]

My goodness, I am so glad I started doing some research on my dog's change in body and behavior. The symptoms fit my baby to a T! Thank you for all this information.

[@DionteHelm]

This was so informative thank you 🙏🏾

[@pitpride1220]

Getting our pup through this right now. Got him in to vet the same day. Ortho the next,nuero the next. Can't afford MRI or surgery. But he is improving over the first week. No more knuckling, better gait, much less time panting and hunched position. Most of the day lying down resting. Only allowed to get up for food, water and potty. He has tried to go outside and follow us around the house. But we put him right back down. Have him confined to small area and ortho bed. Hopefully this continues. Hopefully we'll not have to crate him. But we will if necessary.

[@tinapence3252]

So glad to hear this, we are in the same position. We were quoted $3-4k for MRI and $12-15k for surgery. There is no way we can come up with this kind of money. It just happened, so we are only on day 2 at this point. I hope to see improvement. One rear leag is working the other is not with no deep pain felt...

[@pitpride1220]

@@tinapence3252 same price quoted to us. Not affordable for us either. Med cocktail is Anatadine, gabapentin,trazadone and carprofen. Your dog and our dog have about a 90% chance of recovery through conservative treatment. Because they're both able to walk and it is the first occurrence. I hope yours improves. My research says if they don't get worse or if they improve during the first week. They are highly likely to get back normal function. Wishing you the best!

[@SEVNeurology]

We are grateful that you got your pup seen by a specialist. This is the best thing you can do for your pet. We wish you the very best on his journey to healing and recovery!

[@SarahJones-oc6py]

Try chiro for your dog's. My friend had great results. Best of luck

[@balance007]

Reading everyone’s comments makes me feel better, unfortunately my lil guy is going through this right now…. Im actually laying on the floor with him as I’m sending this comment. Took him to 2 different emergency vets, they both prescribed anti inflammatory and pain meds, the next step is surgery if I don’t see improvement within the next few days….. I wish everyone the best.

[@TwitchingBouse]

My dad's dog had these symptoms and I'm glad I convinced him to get them checked out immediately at the pet er instead of waiting around a few days for the regular vet to be open. He's on meds now, but after a few days he has been showing improvement in ability to walk and general demeanor, so I am optimistic that he is recovering. Not fully recovered yet, but his hind legs aren't slipping as much and he seems a bit happier, doesn't look like he's crying/tearing like the first day (after the pet er visit). Who knows what would have happeend if we'd waited. Also the last time he's getting on my bed unfortunately. Just can't risk him jumping off again. It looked like he was fine doing so , but it actually was putting this strain on him (smaller dog).

[@whatabreeze]

Has your pup recovered? I’m dealing with this currently. Happened last night. Took her to ER where she was diagnosed with it. She can’t move her legs to even go potty so we have to go back in today to get her bladder expelled :( wondering if your pup had paralysis?

[@ottaviagiano2823]

my dogs shows signs of IVDD but my vet didn't suggest complete rest. They gave her anti-inflamatory and medication that would help with neurological damage for 2 week. She is 16 years old, I cannot put her under the stress of an MRI and even x-rays are a no, considering she will panic with the risk of further injury. She was sfine until she started to develop a light limp and then her hind legs started to get rigid making it harder to walk, it degenerated in the course of 1-2 weeks. She now has knuckling on her front paw, keeps her neck low, rigid hind legs and finds it difficult to lay down and stand up from her bed. My vet told me she has neurological degeneration (they never even considered IVDD which I don't agree with, this was way too sudden and the problem seems to come from her spine) and also arthritis, so making her rest too much will worsen arthritis, but at the same time if I take her on her walk (although a reduce version of it) twice a day it might worsen the IVDD condition that I strongly suspect she has. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

[@crookeddonald4761]

Appreciate the info guys. Wish you were out here on the west coast!

[@thedude2897]

Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation is a good option if you can find someone who does it. Its not the same as traditional chiropractic.

[@jenniferbmendezful]

This video gives hope. I was given none in error. I put my dog down, but he could have been saved.

[@Irish__Clan]

I’m so sorry. 💔

[@Oksana-ix6xq]

He's with Jesus, no pain and you WILL see him again ❤

[@user-jd7tv7oj5s]

So sorry xx you will see him again x

[@user-bd4bo4tb8u]

Awe, I’m so very sorry!

[@toddl5667]

The Grade 1 & 2 medical management recovery is stated to be much higher in other literature, and equal to surgery. Is there an explanation as to why many places state a similar surgical/medical management recovery rate for grade 1 & 2, while you state a pretty drastic difference?

[@user-xq9my9hq7y]

My dog was paralyzed in the back legs and could not pee or poop for 4 days but without surgery four months on she can walk no problem and can even run a little bit I'm up to walking her for an hour a day

[@laurendieleman6261]

You're saying within 4 months she was walking again? I have a 10 yr old with slipped disc, stage 4 and she lost mobility in her back legs yesterday. Please tell me she has a fighting chance without surgery😢

[@user-xq9my9hq7y]

@@laurendieleman6261 yeah she's walking and running a little bit she gets tired after half an hour walk I couldn't afford the surgery got tablets off vet at beginning to keep her calm and kept her movement to a minimum just toilet outside for the first month she is 5 years old but she's doing great still not the best with stairs yet but still early days

[@oscarchupatuputa5260]

So no surgery and she got better on her own after 4 months? Pls let me know because my dogs back legs are completely useless for him and does not have control on his poop or pee

[@IlLAD3LPH1A215]

@@laurendieleman6261it happened to my Lola yesterday out of nowhere .she’s a dachshund any tips or help in your journey if you could share would be greatly appreciated

[@queenkiller1012]

@@laurendieleman6261how’s your dog?😌

[@reneviray6822]

My frenchie got diagnosed the other day and she hasn’t ate or drank in days I can’t sleep worrying about her she wont lay down just sits up and leans against a pillow

[@kaylajackson8116]

My frenchie is going through the same thing. This is week 2 for him.

[@xxxdpgxxxx1389]

@@kaylajackson8116how did you heal your dog ?

[@Rene_Veno]

Any updates?

[@JuniperTreeee]

How long do we rest for? Forever? That sounds terrible

[@XANIMEX170]

Why would it be forever? A few weeks.

[@raylaux8295]

IVDD is a death sentence for dogs. Be humane. Dogs lying in waste for hours, organ issues caused by immobility.

[@queenkiller1012]

So dramatic

[@user-xq9my9hq7y]

Rubbish depends how bad it is ivdd has five categories even 5 being the worst can still recover

[@daveya.9512]

@@user-xq9my9hq7y their trolling 🙄 my dog was categor 5 making a great recovery

[@gemsxjourneyx196]

@@amymarie266 wrong not all are in pain . Stop lying

[@tinapence3252]

My Dabhi is still having regular body functions, I have to help her with a sling, but she is not laying in waste at all. She has one rear leg functioning and at the worse, if the other leg does not recover, we will amputate and have a tri-pod. No decision will be made quickly as we hope that with medication and rest, she may regain use of it.