Delete!
Conservative treatment (medications, rest and time)
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
TACOMA WA WRITES:
My 2 year old dachshund stopped jumping and seemed unsure if she could traverse steps. A couple of days later, she was barely walking, barely if at all eating or drinking (even her special food “chicken”). A couple of days later not moving by choice at all. If I put her on the floor, she mostly stays where I put her, waiting to be rescued, at times when I take her out to pee she will take some shaky steps to potty, then sits down as her legs are too shaky. A couple of days later as I was holding her she pooped runny all over my lap. Instead of peeing on the potty pad she has peed all around in very erratic ways. Her hind legs seem to get close together and she swings her bottom down. Yes, I know take her to the vet, but i can’t. I ashamed to say i don’t have the resources. please give me any information you may have gained in your years of practice. Does it sound like a typical progression of dachshund disc problems, that given rest may likely heal on its own, or does it sound like a situation where it is only going to get worse, and not much hope at better, and I should simply suck it up and put her down, so she does not have to continue to suffer. Thank you in advance for any information you may share.
ANSWER
By your description it does sound like your dog likely has intervertebral disk disease. Ideally, it would be best for you to go into a vet to get instructed on urinary bladder management and talk about potentially using steroids. Some dogs respond well to medical management and it would be worth giving it a try. In the meantime, it is very important to keep your dog strictly inactive so as not to get any worse. Dodgerslist is a great resource for trying to manage intervertebral disk disease and helping improve your dog’s quality of life.
Chiropractic therapy (aka VOM)
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
LINDA ASKS:
Is chiropractic treatment a therapy that can be considered with a dog suspected or known to have IVDD?
ANSWER
The short answer is that I would not advise chiropractic care in a chondrodystrophic dog (Dachshund, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Basset Hound, Beagle, etc.) with clinical signs suggestive of intervertebral disk disease.
Without a diagnosis, the degree of spinal cord compression is unknown. An adjustment to a dog with severe spinal cord compression could result in a deterioration of the clinical signs to the point of being completely paralyzed and maybe not being able to feel their toes.
Advanced imaging of the spine (MRI/CT/Myelogram) allows your veterinarian to make an informed decision. In some cases, chiropractic treatment may warrant consideration. However, without knowing what is causing the clinical signs it would not be advisable. ~Andrew Isaacs, DVM
Back braces – IVDD dog?
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
LINDA STOWE, FOUNDER DODGERSLIST, WRITES:
We keep getting questions about the back braces on DodgersList. We have said there needs to be more research to see if they are really helpful for an IVDD dog and if you want to try it, work with a specialist. I imagine most people buying these will let the dog wear them for a few days and then they’ll end up in the closet. They are not handy to get on and off and adjust. I don’t know about how comfortable they would be or what harm they might do. What is your opinion about using back braces with an IVDD dog?
ANSWER
I totally agree with your statement.
Here is my take: There are a variety of “back braces” available. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any that have been tested in a controlled laboratory setting or in a clinical study. Therefore, as a general statement, “back braces” should be used under the supervision of a veterinarian familiar and knowledgeable with the treatment of intervertebral disk disease.
What to ask the surgeon
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
ELIZABETH ASKS:
Hi! We are bringing our 9.5 year old female dachshund to see a neurologist. Her regular doctors seem to think she has IVDD, which I think she has too from what I read. We are bringing her meds that her vet put her on (pain killer, muscle relaxer) and was wondering what questions I should ask the neurologist.
ANSWER
We are sorry to hear that your Dachshund may have neurologic problems and we wish her a speedy recovery.
As long as you are seeing board-certified neurologist (ACVIM), your pet will be in good hands and you shouldn’t have to ask too many questions. The main questions that should be answered or addressed after the neurologist evaluates you pet are:
1. Is this a neurologic problem?
2. Is a neurologic work-up indicated (ie. myelogram, catscan, MRI, spinal tap, blood tests)?
3. What are my treatment options (medical versus surgical)?
4. What is the expected prognosis and outcome with each treatment option?
Best of luck with your pet!
Prognosis- walking or spinal walking?
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
ANN ASKS:
Ann writes: Our Buster recently went to the neurologist for his follow up visit 6 weeks after surgery for 2 herniated disks. The Dr. said he had no DPP and we should get him a cart as Buster would never walk again. She didn’t seem to give any value to the improvement Buster has achieved since he came home. He’s gone from total paralysis of his hind legs to being able to move both legs, his tail also moves and he pulls himself up to stand on all 4 legs for short periods.
The 2 Drs. at our local vet clinic were surprised by the diagnosis. They weren’t eager to contradict the neurologist or to get our hopes up, but they say it can take months to recover from major surgery.
Because Buster is improving, we are continuing PT, water therapy and acupuncture. We did get Buster a cart which we were told was for rehab as well as mobility. We’re trying to be realistic about our dog’s progress, but the conflict between what we’ve been told and what we see happening with him is confusing.
In your experience, do you find that most dogs with no DPP 6 weeks after surgery never walk again?
ANSWER
Hi Ann. So sorry to hear about Buster.
In my experience, dogs that do not regain deep pain perception (sensation) after 6 weeks rarely regain it. Notice, I didn’t say never! These dogs often times will regain motor function and appear to “walk” once they get their legs under them. When this occurs we call it SPINAL WALKING. The “walking” is actually reflexes in the rear limbs being stimulated, which gives the appearance that the dog is walking. These are involuntary movements and do not require the input from the brain to occur. If you watch carefully, the front legs and back legs are not in sync with each other. We do see paralyzed dachshunds that never regain deep pain perception but spinal walk several weeks or months after surgery. These dogs live a great life!
My advice… continue the physical therapy and water therapy. It sounds like Buster is regaining motor function in his rear legs and may be starting to spinal walk. He may surprise everyone and spinal “walk.”
There is a video on Dodgerslist showing spinal walking. Be sure to check it out: https://dodgerslist.com/spinal-walking/
Best regards and thanks for the question.
After crate rest activity
Neuro Corner Answers
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
ERIN ASKS:
I have a 6 year old miniature dachshund that has been diagnosed with IVDD. She has been on crate rest, currently in week 5; planning on 8. At the completion of 8 weeks, how do we know that she is healed? Do we just let her start to walk around gradually and watch how she does? At this point, she does have some movement in her hind legs, but not perfect by any means. She is definitely showing improvement though. Thank you for your input! It is appreciated!?
ANSWER
Good question.
I’m glad to hear your dog is doing well.
The key is to SLOWLY reintroduce activity after the 8 weeks if rest. If at any point when reintroducing activity you notice him getting painful or less coordinated you need to cage rest him again and consider diagnostics (MRI, CT, or myelogram). Make sure that life long he is on a harness for outdoor activities, not doing high risk activities (jumping on/off sofas/beds, going up/down stairs, etc.) to help prevent another flare up.
Collar Tag Shop
Dog Collar Tag Shop
Tags help us pay for advertising, mailing and printing.
— all are efforts to educate that IVDD is not a death sentence!
Two metal collar tags
#1 metal tag
$6 Support my back
Width: 1-1/4″ Height: 3/4″ • back is blank
Dogs, even though not born with IVDD, should be lifted and carried with back horizontal to the ground. And both ends supported to protect the back.
#2 Metal Tag
$6 Back Problem! Support my back
Width: 1-1/4″ .Height: 3/4 • back is blank
Order via a major credit card or PayPal
NOTE: If you are having trouble while using Safari – please switch to Chrome or Foxfire.
Be sure to provide: 1. your shipping address 2. your e-mail addy 3. name of tag 4. Qty
Order by Mail
- Make check payable to: Linda Stowe
- Check memo line note which tag(s) and Qty: “Support my back” OR “Back Problems!”
- Ask Linda for the street address for the envelope
Grief healing
The pain of losing a loved one can be beyond difficult. It deserves your attention and time to process.
Continue Reading
Nail trim for health —Tips and supplies
Nail trim for health means safer traction for wheelchair dogs. Walking dogs can avoid painful overgrown nails, arthritis and encourage a normal gait.
Continue Reading
Home Protect IVDD backs
At home there are many ways to protect IVDD backs: Ramps ♦️ Furniture blockers ♦️ Train to keep four paws on the floor.
Continue Reading
If Dodgerslist has helped you,
please consider a contribution
to help us continue our efforts
to educate and save more lives.
https://dodgerslist.com/contribute/
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.
©2025 Linda Stowe, founder of DODGERSLIST.com • FACEBOOK