Intervertebral Disc Disease

TL;DR. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a common, painful spinal condition where a herniated disc presses on the spinal cord, causing symptoms ranging from mild back pain to complete paralysis.

A cross-section showing how a herniated disc presses directly on the spinal cord.

Čo to je?

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition affecting the shock-absorbing cushions, or discs, that sit between the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Each disc consists of two main parts: a tough, fibrous outer ring called the annulus fibrosus, and a soft, gelatinous center called the nucleus pulposus. In a healthy animal, these discs allow the spine to bend, flex, and absorb the impact of daily activities like running, jumping, and walking. When IVDD occurs, these discs undergo

"With normal aging the nucleus is gradually replaced by fibrocartilage. In some dogs, particularly the chondrodystrophoid breeds, the nucleus matrix degenerates, dehydrates, and mineralizes, making these dogs prone to acute disk rupture."

Príčiny a rizikové faktory

The primary driver of IVDD is genetic predisposition, particularly in chondrodystrophoid breeds-dogs bred for short legs and long bodies. In these dogs, abnormal cartilage development causes the intervertebral discs to age and degenerate prematurely, often within the first year of life. As noted in a leading veterinary internal medicine reference: While genetics play the largest role, physical trauma, repetitive strain from jumping off high furniture, and obesity also contribute to disc failure

Príznaky

• Hansen Type I (Acute Extrusion): This type involves a sudden rupture of the disc. The gelatinous center of the disc dehydrates, mineralizes, and hardens over time. Under normal physical stress, this hardened center suddenly erupts through the outer fibrous ring, shooting directly into the spinal canal. This causes acute bruising, inflammation, and compression of the spinal cord.
• Hansen Type II (Slow Protrusion): This type is a slower, more progressive bulging of the disc. The outer fibrous ring gradually thickens and protrudes upward into the spinal canal over months or years, slowly compressing the spinal cord. This type is more akin to a bulging disc in humans.
• Spinal pain (Cardinal) - Your pet may shiver, whimper, tense their abdominal muscles, or cry out when touched or picked up.
• Ataxia (Common) - An uncoordinated, wobbly, or "drunken" gait, particularly in the hind limbs.
• Tetraparesis (Common) - Weakness in all four limbs, which typically indicates a disc herniation in the neck (cervical spine).
• Neck pain (Common) - Reluctance to turn the head, holding the head low, or muscle spasms in the neck.

Kedy k veterinárovi

IVDD can progress rapidly. If your pet shows any of the following signs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Treat these as emergencies: * Sudden loss of the ability to walk or stand. * Knuckling of the paws or dragging the hind legs. * Severe, unmanageable spinal pain (shivering, crying out, or refusing to move). * Loss of bladder or bowel control. Delaying treatmen

Diagnostika

Your vet will begin with a comprehensive physical and neurological examination. During this exam, they will assess your pet's reflexes, check their conscious proprioception (paw-flipping test), and carefully palpate the spine to locate the source of pain. This helps the vet determine the general area of the spinal cord lesion. To obtain a definitive diagnosis, advanced imaging is required: * **S

Liečba

Treatment for IVDD is categorized into conservative (medical) management and surgical intervention. The choice depends on the severity of the neurological signs, the level of pain, and how long the symptoms have been present. ### Conservative Management Conservative management is typically reserved for pets with mild neurological deficits (such as mild weakness or knuckling) and those who still ha

Prevencia a každodenný život

While you cannot change your pet's genetics, you can take steps to minimize the risk of disc herniation: * Weight Control: Keep your pet at a lean, healthy weight to reduce mechanical stress on the spine. * Use a Harness: Walk your dog on a harness rather than a collar to distribute pressure away from the neck. * Avoid Jumping: In

Zdroje

Veterinary internal medicine references for this condition.

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