Last Updated: 17/12/2025
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) can be scary. Learn about the types of IVDD, how it’s diagnosed, and the full range of treatment options available. Get clear, actionable advice on managing and preventing spinal issues in your beloved pet.
Author: Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), often referred to as a "slipped disc," can be one of the most frightening things a pet parent faces. This common spinal condition in dogs and less frequently in cats can cause everything from mild back pain to sudden paralysis. It’s a serious issue, but understanding it is the first step toward helping your pet.
This guide is designed to empower you with trusted, vet-backed knowledge. We’ll break down what IVDD is, what to expect during diagnosis and treatment, and most importantly, simple steps you can take to prevent it and help your pet live their happiest, healthiest life.
What is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)?
To understand IVDD, it helps to know how a healthy spine works.
The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, and nestled between them are intervertebral discs. Think of these discs as little cushions that:
- Aid movement and provide crucial support.
- Absorb shock when your pet runs, jumps, or plays.
Each disc has two main parts:
- The annulus fibrosis: a tough, fibrous outer ring.
- The nucleus pulposus: a soft, jelly-like interior.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs when these disc parts start to degenerate or break down. When this happens, the disc can no longer absorb shock properly and it leads to compression of the spinal cord. It's this compression that causes the visible symptoms we see, such as pain, weakness, or difficulty walking.
The three forms of IVDD
Vets categorise IVDD into three types, known as Hansen types, based on how the injury occurs:
Type I IVDD: The 'Slipped Disc'
This type is most common in young to middle-aged small dogs (two years and older), especially those with short legs (chondrodysplastic breeds like the Dachshund and Corgi).
- What happens: The jelly-like inner disc material hardens and calcifies over time. When your dog jumps or twists suddenly, this hard material ruptures forcefully through the tough outer ring and onto the spinal cord.
- Result: This sudden compression causes acute, severe pain and varying degrees of paralysis. The severity depends on the force and amount of disc material involved.
Type II IVDD: The Slow Degeneration
This is a more chronic, degenerative process typically seen in older pets (5–12 years) and often in medium to large breed dogs, though it can affect cats too.
- What happens: The outer ring (annulus fibrosis) weakens and slowly bulges or 'balloons' upwards, gradually pressing on the spinal cord.
- Result: Symptoms are often subtle but progressive. You might notice your pet showing:
- A decrease in activity
- Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
- Stiffness or a hunched-over pose
- While some pets present acutely, it’s usually a slow, developing issue
Type III IVDD: The High-Speed Injury
This type is less common and usually happens due to severe trauma or substantial exercise.
- What happens: A sudden, high-velocity force causes a tear in a healthy outer ring, leading to a rupture of normal disc material.
- Result: This is generally a non-compressive injury, meaning the disc material doesn't stay in the spinal canal and press on the cord. Because of this, it rarely leads to long-term or permanent neurological injury.
How is IVDD diagnosed in dogs and cats?
Diagnosing IVDD in pets involves a combination of clinical signs, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging. Here's a breakdown of the diagnostic process:
Clinical Signs: Symptoms of IVDD can vary depending on the severity and location of the disc herniation.
Common signs include:
- back pain
- reluctance to move
- stiffness
- weakness
- in severe cases, paralysis
Full Physical and Neurological Examination: Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on your pet's neurological status. They will assess your pet's reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation in the affected areas.
Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays are often the first step in imaging to evaluate the spine and rule out other causes of spinal pain. However, X-rays alone may not provide a definitive diagnosis of IVDD, especially for types II and III.
Advanced Imaging: For a more accurate diagnosis, advanced imaging techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans are often necessary. These imaging modalities can provide detailed images of the spinal cord and discs, helping to identify the location and severity of disc herniation.
Myelography: In some cases, a myelogram may be performed, where a contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to highlight any abnormalities on X-rays or CT scans.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis: In rare cases where there is suspicion of an infection or inflammatory process affecting the spinal cord, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis may be recommended.
Specialist Neurologist Consultation: In complex cases or when advanced imaging is required, your veterinarian may refer your pet to a veterinary neurologist for further evaluation and management.
IVDD treatment options: Conservative vs. surgical
Treatment options include conservative management or surgical intervention. Which one is right for your pet will depend on the severity of the disease.
Conservative Management
Conservative management involves strict rest and crate confinement to allow the spinal cord and associated inflammation to subside.
- Confinement is usually required for 4-6 weeks
- Anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Meloxicam ('Metacam') or Firocoxib ('Previcox') may also be used during this time.
- Conservative management is usually best for pet's with pain only or pain and limited neurological effects (ie. still able to walk).
Surgical Management
Surgical intervention aims to relieve compression, prevent further ruptures or both. It is generally used in pets with more severe neurological abnormalities such as paralysis.
Surgery involves removal of the nucleus pulposus through a technique called fenestration. This procedure helps to prevent further disc ruptures. The technique does not deal with any disc material that has already entered the spinal canal. So, if there is lots of disc material remaining in the canal the recovery may be protracted or some neurological effects may remain.
Another surgical technique is decompressive surgery. This is where the spinal canal is accessed by removing or drilling through bone and the ruptured disc material is then directly removed to relieve compression. This surgery is sometimes performed on its own or alongside fenestration.
IVDD recovery and prognosis: What to expect
Recovery is a serious commitment, but it’s a critical part of your pet’s journey back to health.
Post-treatment recovery care
Whether your pet had surgery or was treated conservatively, the initial recovery phase is strict:
- Strict confinement: A period of 4–6 weeks of strict rest and confinement is mandatory to allow time for healing. This means using a small crate or pen, and only leaving for short, controlled toilet breaks (you may need to carry them).
- Pain management: Pain relief medication will be necessary throughout this period to keep your pet comfortable.
- Nursing care:You may need to provide additional nursing care, such as:
- Assisting them outside to toilet.
- Manually expressing their bladder if they cannot empty it themselves (your vet will teach you how to do this safely).
How long does recovery take?
The timeframe for your pet to regain function, like walking, depends on a few factors: how quickly the issue was treated and the initial severity of the spinal injury.
- Some pets may show rapid improvement within 1–2 weeks post-surgery.
- Others may take months to recover.
- As a general rule, most pets reach their maximal improvement around the 3-month mark following treatment.
Prognosis and outlook
For severe cases, where there is full paralysis and an absence of deep pain sensation, the prognosis is guarded. However, if these cases are treated as an emergency, some pets can still regain a degree of function.
Assisted mobility: Wheelchairs and rehabilitation
What if your pet's hindlimb mobility is permanently affected? There are still wonderful options available to ensure a great quality of life:
- Customised pet wheelchairs: If your pet has functional forelimbs but their back legs are affected, a customised wheelchair may be an excellent choice.
- Adaptation: These wheelchairs are built specifically to your pet’s measurements, and many dogs adapt to them really well.
- Quality of life: A chair can give your pet back the freedom and mobility they need to enjoy life.
If you are interested in a wheelchair, speak to your vet about getting a referral for measurements and construction.
Preventing IVDD: Simple steps to reduce risk
There are some practical tips which can help to reduce your pets risk of IVDD:
- Keep them at a healthy weight. This puts less strain on their neck and back
- When walking use a harness rather than a collar - this will distribute force evenly over the body rather than concentrated on your pet's neck
- Use aids such as pet ramps and non-slip surfaces at home to help decrease jumping and slipping. This is especially important for those at risk breeds such as the Dachshund and Corgi
- Always support your pets whole body when lifting them. It's especially important to teach children how to correctly pick up and hold pets
- Discuss the age of desexing your pet with your vet. Recent evidence has shown that some breeds such as the Corgi can reduce their risk of IVDD when desexed past a certain age
FAQs
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a challenging condition that can affect our beloved pets, particularly those with specific predispositions such as certain breeds and age groups. Understanding the types of IVDD, its diagnosis, and treatment options is crucial for pet owners to recognize the signs early and seek appropriate veterinary care.
Conservative management, including rest and medication, can be effective for pets with mild symptoms. However, for those with severe neurological deficits, surgical intervention may be necessary to relieve compression and prevent further damage. Recovery from IVDD can vary, with some pets regaining function relatively quickly, while others may require longer periods of rehabilitation.
Prevention plays a significant role in managing IVDD risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, using proper lifting techniques, and providing a safe environment for your pet can help reduce the likelihood of this condition. By staying informed and proactive, pet owners can help their furry friends lead happy, healthy lives free from the challenges of IVDD.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 17 Dec 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Author, BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Dr Josepha graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2015 and has spent her time in small animal practice in Melbourne. She has a special interest in diagnostic imaging, nutrition and geriatric medicine. She is currently completing further study in animal nutrition and her favourite part of being a vet is helping senior animals to live happily and comfortably into their twilight years.
