Graduated – Living with IVDD

Living With IVDD

Congratulations on your dog’s graduation from the required rest period for a disc episode! IVDD dog owners will need to modify for a new “normal” routine for daily life. Read about ideas for everything from food to having fun!

Quick IVDD overview

Expect to enjoy many happy years with your IVDD dog.
Review what you have learned from the past weeks.
Be at the ready if you need to apply what you have learned in the future!
See all 6 illustrated IVDD Primer Strips. Easy to share with the family.

Gradually & safely return to family life

Tips and Ideas after graduation from a disc episode. Introduce back friendly home activities. Make home modifications for your IVDD dog.

Safe way to carry a dog

How to lift and carry an IVDD dog to protect the discs. Necessary pet carrier features.

Nail trimming for health

Safer traction for cart dogs.
avoid painful overgrown nails, arthritis; encourage a normal gait.

Garments to protect

Protect the paralyzed dog.

barrier to ground bacteria entering the bladder.
prevent rug burns

PT for paralyzed legs

Continue PT and rehab for paralyzed or weak legs after graduation from rest period of Conservative Treatment or after a surgery.

Easy ramp training demo

Make your home back friendly with ramps.
re-train your dog for back safety.

Fun IVDD activities

Lots of ways to enjoy your IVDD dog and have fun! Encourage the back friendly activities.

Quality of life
Dogs take life a moment at a time and enjoy it for all it has to offer.

Bladder & bowel Control

Incontinence tips
keeping the bladder healthy from UTIs
skin care
exercise
Sample Feeding-Expressing Schedule

Always use a leash w/harness

Collars for an IVDD dog are just to hold dog tags!
There are many good harnesses in the market
Fitting tips and suggested manufacturers.

Diet and Nutrition

Consider if there is a need to change foods only after the end of conservative treatment or the post-op rest period.
How to read tricky dog food labels like a pro.
How to grade your current dog food.
See food brands to best fit your pocket book.

Imaging

Imaging: Xray, MRI, CT and myelogram.
IVDD dogs have a special risk whenever under anesthesia for dentals, x-rays, etc.
5 Things to know about dentals

Discourage jumping on furniture

Reduce the stress on the discs
Make your home back friendly

Weak legs- smooth floor issues?

3 traction improvement solutions
For wobbly and cart dogs

Join the free Care & Support Forum

Lurking and trying to learn from questions others ask about their IVDD dog? Every disc episode can be a bit different. Every dog is different. Let’s talk details about your dog!
Experience IVDD straight talk for your dog.
Pick up valuable disc disease medical facts. No urban myths!
Get up to speed on things the vet may not have had time to mention.
Post as a Forum GUEST until you have time to register.
Free. Surgery & Conservative treatment. All breeds.

Disclaimer:

This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource for the dog IVDD community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as medical advice.

Dodgerslist Facebook and all should contact their pet care professionals for advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product, item or position contained herein.