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· What is IVDD? · Breeds Commonly Affected · Signs & When to Seek Care · Treatment Options · How Physical Therapy Helps · Recovery Timeline · Our Approach · FAQ · Book a Consultation
What Is IVDD?
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) - also called canine disc disease — is the most common neurologic condition in dogs. It affects the discs that sit between the vertebrae of the spine - the cushioning structures that absorb shock and allow the spine to move. When a disc degenerates or ruptures, it can press on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves, causing pain, weakness, and in more serious cases, loss of coordination or paralysis.
IVDD can have a sudden, dramatic onset - a dog that was walking normally one day may be struggling to use their hind legs the next. In other cases, it develops more gradually, with a dog showing intermittent pain or subtle changes in movement over weeks or months.
If you suspect your dog has a spinal injury, seek qualified veterinary care immediately. Prompt evaluation is important - some forms of IVDD require urgent treatment, and early intervention significantly affects long-term outcomes.
Breeds Commonly Affected
While any dog can develop IVDD, certain breeds are genetically predisposed due to the structure of their spine and the way their discs age. Commonly affected breeds include:
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Dachshunds
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French Bulldogs
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Corgis
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Beagles
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Shih Tzus
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Basset Hounds
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Cocker Spaniels
If your dog is one of these breeds, it's worth knowing the signs of IVDD - and what to do if they appear. Early recognition and prompt veterinary assessment can make a meaningful difference.
Signs of IVDD - When to Seek Care
IVDD presents across a wide range of severity. Signs can include:
Mild to Moderate Signs:
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Back or neck pain - yelping when touched or picked up, reluctance to move
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Stiffness or an arched, hunched back posture
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Reluctance to climb stairs, jump, or play
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Weakness in the hind legs
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Stumbling or unsteady gait
More Serious Signs (seek care immediately):
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Knuckling - walking on the tops of the paws rather than the pads
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Dragging one or both hind legs
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Loss of coordination (ataxia)
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Inability to stand or walk
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
If your dog is showing any of the more serious signs, this is a medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency clinic right away. Time matters significantly with acute IVDD - the sooner your dog is evaluated, the more options your veterinary team will have.
Treatment Options - Your Veterinary Team Leads the Way
IVDD treatment depends on the severity of the disc injury and your dog's neurologic status. Your veterinarian will assess your dog and advise on the appropriate path. Treatment generally falls into two categories:
Conservative Management
For dogs with mild to moderate IVDD - typically those experiencing pain or mild weakness without significant neurologic deficits - your veterinary team may recommend conservative management. This typically includes strict rest and confinement, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, and close monitoring for any worsening of symptoms.
Physical therapy may be incorporated into conservative management depending on your veterinarian's assessment and once they have cleared your dog for rehabilitation exercises. The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support neurological recovery while protecting the spine.
Surgical Treatment
For dogs with more significant neurologic impairment — particularly those who cannot walk, are losing bladder or bowel control, or have not responded to conservative management - surgery is often recommended. The procedure typically involves removing the disc material that is compressing the spinal cord.
If surgery is recommended, your veterinary surgeon will guide you through the options and expected recovery. Physical therapy can support recovery after surgery, with timing and progression always following your surgeon's specific protocols.
How Physical Therapy Supports IVDD Recovery
Whether your dog is recovering from IVDD surgery or managing the condition conservatively, IVDD rehabilitation can play a supportive role in their recovery - always in coordination with your veterinary team's plan.
After IVDD Surgery
The weeks following spinal surgery are focused on allowing the surgical site to heal while gently beginning to restore neurological function and physical strength. Physical therapy during this period may include:
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Passive range of motion (PROM) - gentle, guided movement of the limbs to maintain joint health and stimulate neurological pathways
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Neuromuscular re-education - exercises that help your dog's nervous system relearn how to coordinate and control movement
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Cold laser therapy (LLLT) - to reduce inflammation and support tissue healing at the surgical site
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PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) - to reduce pain and promote healing at the cellular level
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Supported standing and weight-bearing exercises - progressed gradually as your dog regains strength and control
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Gait re-training - helping your dog relearn how to walk smoothly and confidently
All treatment during the early post-surgical phase is guided by your surgeon's clearances and activity restrictions.
Conservative Management with Physical Therapy
For dogs managing IVDD without surgery, physical therapy focuses on:
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Pain management through therapeutic modalities
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Gentle strengthening of the muscles that support and protect the spine
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Movement retraining - helping your dog move in ways that reduce spinal stress
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Home exercise programs so you can continue supportive care between clinic visits
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Monitoring for any changes in neurologic status, with guidance to contact your vet if anything changes
What to Expect - Recovery Timeline
Recovery from IVDD varies significantly depending on the severity of the disc injury, whether surgery was performed, your dog's age and overall health, and how quickly treatment was initiated.
Dogs with mild IVDD managed conservatively may improve within a few weeks. Dogs recovering from surgery - particularly those with significant neurologic impairment before surgery - may take several months to reach their potential. Some dogs recover fully; others achieve meaningful improvement in function and quality of life even if full recovery isn't possible.
Physical therapy is most effective when started at the appropriate time in the recovery process - as directed by your veterinary team. We use objective measures throughout the program to track progress and adjust treatment based on how your dog is actually responding.
Our Approach to IVDD Recovery in Omaha and Lincoln
At the Macke Institute of Canine Therapy, IVDD is one of the neurologic conditions we treat most frequently. We bring the same clinical standards used in human neurologic rehabilitation to canine care.
We provide dog IVDD rehabilitation at our clinics in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, and work closely with your primary veterinarian and veterinary neurologist throughout the recovery process. We focus on supplementing the care your dog received during recovery by providing the rehabilitation component to their recovery plan.
We offer two treatment paths:
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Therapist-led Treatment: We perform all treatment in clinic, typically twice per week. You bring your dog, we handle the rehabilitation.
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Pet parent-led Treatment: We teach you how to support your dog's recovery at home. We demonstrate every exercise, have you practice with us, and provide video instructions - then gradually reduce visit frequency as you build confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog was just diagnosed with IVDD. What should I do first?
Follow your veterinarian's guidance first and foremost. If your dog has significant neurologic signs - inability to walk, loss of bladder or bowel control - this is urgent and your vet or a veterinary neurologist should evaluate them right away. Once your veterinary team has assessed and stabilized your dog, they can advise on when rehabilitation is appropriate.
Does my dog need a referral for physical therapy?
Yes, we ask for a veterinary referral before beginning treatment. This allows us to coordinate with your veterinary team and ensures we have the clinical information we need to build a safe, appropriate program for your dog's specific situation.
Can physical therapy help a dog that is paralyzed?
Physical therapy can be a valuable part of recovery for dogs with significant neurologic impairment, including those who have lost the ability to walk. Progress depends on the degree of spinal cord damage, how quickly treatment was initiated, and individual factors. Your veterinary neurologist or surgeon can advise on the overall prognosis for your dog's case - and as rehabilitation progresses, your physical therapist can provide additional insight based on how your dog is actually responding to treatment.
How is IVDD rehabilitation different from orthopedic rehabilitation?
Neurologic rehabilitation involves specific techniques focused on retraining the nervous system - helping the brain and spinal cord reestablish communication pathways with the limbs. This is different from purely orthopedic work, which focuses on muscle strength and joint function. IVDD rehabilitation typically involves both, along with careful attention to spinal precautions and neurologic monitoring.
My dog had IVDD surgery two weeks ago. When should they start physical therapy?
The timing of rehabilitation will be determined by your surgeon based on your dog's specific procedure and recovery. Contact us and we'll coordinate with your surgical team on the appropriate start time and what the program should look like in the early weeks.
Is IVDD more likely to recur after treatment?
Dogs who have had one IVDD episode - particularly certain breeds - do have an increased risk of future disc problems. Your veterinary team can advise on monitoring and lifestyle modifications. Physical therapy can help maintain the muscle support around the spine, which may help reduce strain on the discs over time.
Get Your Free IVDD Guide
If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD and you want to understand more about the condition and what recovery can look like, we've created a free guide covering treatment considerations and what to expect. Fill in your information below and we'll send it to you directly.