21/03/2026
IVDD in dogs – let’s talk about it 🐾
If you’ve got a Dachshund (or any long-backed, short legged dog!), chances are you’ve heard of IVDD… but what does it actually mean?
IVDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Disease — a condition affecting the discs between the bones of the spine. These discs act like little shock absorbers, and when they start to degenerate, bulge or rupture, they can press on the spinal cord.
And that’s where problems start.
It’s not always “just old age” 👀
IVDD is often linked to degeneration, but it’s not purely age-related. Genetics play a big role, which is why we see it more commonly in certain breeds.
You’ll often hear the term chondrodystrophic — this refers to breeds with a genetic tendency for early disc degeneration (think Dachshunds, Beagles, Shih Tzus, Pekingese etc).
But… any dog can be affected.
There are a few different “types” of IVDD
Without getting too textbook on you…
🔹 Type I (the dramatic one).
Most common in small dogs aged 2 years +. Sudden onset, often very painful, and can progress quickly. This is where disc material bursts out and compresses the spinal cord. These dogs can go from fine to very not fine quite quickly → this is an emergency.
🔹 Type II (the slow burner).
More common in larger breeds of dogs and cats! More gradual. The disc bulges rather than explodes, so signs creep in over time — stiffness, reluctance to jump, not quite themselves. Still serious, still needs veterinary attention.
🔹 Type III often referred to as ANNPE/Acute Non-Compressive Nucleus Pulposus Extrusion (the curveball)
Sudden onset is common (again), often linked to trauma or high activity, but without ongoing compression in the same way. These cases are often managed without surgery, but still need urgent assessment.
👉 Bottom line:
If your dog is painful, wobbly, weak, or “not right” → don’t wait. Get them checked.
What might IVDD look like at home?
It’s not always dramatic paralysis (although it can be). Often it starts much more subtly:
• yelping when picked up
• shivering or panting for no obvious reason
• a hunched back
• reluctance to jump, use stairs or go for walks
• weakness or wobbliness (often in the back legs)
• in more severe cases – loss of mobility or continence
So where does physio come in?
This is where I come in 👋
Whether a dog has surgery or is managed conservatively, rehab plays a huge role in recovery and long-term management.
We’re looking at things like:
✔️ pain reduction
✔️ restoring movement and function
✔️ rebuilding strength (especially core stability)
✔️ improving coordination and confidence
✔️ supporting both dog and owner through the process...
Because let’s be honest… these cases can be a rollercoaster 🎢
A little real-life context 💛
I’ve been working with Louie (in the photo) for a long time now following his IVDD surgery. Like many cases, his journey wasn’t completely linear — he worked through his rehab stages, moved onto maintenance, had a wobble along the way… and then got back on track again.
And now? He’s doing brilliantly.
Louie is just one of quite a few IVDD cases I see regularly (not forgetting the very sassy Dedenne 🐶 who would be horrified not to get a mention here), and no two dogs are ever quite the same. That’s why rehab always has to be tailored — not just to the dog, but to the household, the routine, and what’s actually realistic.
Prevention matters too 🐾
We can’t eliminate the risk completely, but we can stack the odds in our favour:
• keeping dogs at a healthy weight
• building strength and stability
• managing their environment (less jumping, less slipping - if you have wooden floors, cover them in runners!)
• getting advice early if something doesn’t feel right
And you don’t have to wait for a problem — preventative physio can make a real difference.
If you’ve got a dog you’re worried about, or even just want to be proactive, feel free to drop me a message 🤍
