What is IVDD in dogs?
IVDD in dogs stands for Intervertebral disk disease. These are the disks that are located in between the spine. IVDD can come in many forms, such as the disk bulging out, the disk coming out of place, or the disk deteriorating. All of these situations are extremely painful for a dog, and will almost always result in a decrease in mobility. In the most serious cases, dogs can have nerve damage which causes them to not be able to walk at all.
How to treat IVDD in dogs?
The most successful way to treat IVDD in dogs is to undergo surgery. During this process, the vet removes the deteriorated disk which releases tension from the spine and allows it to heal. Around 80% of IVDD surgeries are successful in that the dog can fully recover and return to an active lifestyle. While the surgery is very successful, it is very expensive (can cost up to $10,000). Since surgery is not an option for everyone, many people are looking for alternative ways to treat IVDD in dogs.
Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?
Yes, a dog can recover from IVDD without surgery, but you must follow these important steps.
Rest
The most important thing for a dog with IVDD is to rest and stay away from all physical activity. If your dog only has light symptoms of IVDD, resting can allow time for the spine inflammation to go away and for you dog to heal itself naturally. We recommend keeping a dog in a crate to limit their mobility and force them to be still. It is important that you show your dog a lot of love even while he is in the crate.
Medication
There is a wide range of medication that can be used to treat IVDD in dogs. If your dog is having a tough time staying in the crate, we recommend giving him anti-anxiety and calming pills that will help him sleep and rest while in the crate. It is also beneficial to give your dog Methocarbamol, which is a muscle relaxant which helps calm the body down and let it heal. Some vet’s might also prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine to help reduce the swelling of the disk.
Pain Management
A big part of healing IVDD in dogs is pain management. If your dog is in pain, you must make sure that he takes a break from being physically active. You should also give him medication to help manage the pain. Another option is to give your dog an acupuncture, but this procedure can also be expensive.
