IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Inheritance: Autosomal dominant
Breeds documented: 36
Published sources: 15

Overview

Discs between the bones of the spine cushion movement and allow the back to bend. With intervertebral disc disease, a disc can deteriorate, bulge or rupture and injure the spinal cord. Signs range from neck or back discomfort to weakness and paralysis. The effects depend on which disc is involved and how severely the spinal cord is damaged.

Signs to watch for

Neck or back pain with reluctance to move
Avoiding a turn of the head
A wobbly walk or crossing the back feet
Weakness or loss of movement in the back legs
Trouble emptying the bladder

It can affect younger adults in predisposed breeds and older dogs in other breeds.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog suddenly loses the ability to walk.

Diagnosis and tests

A physical examination helps the vet locate the problem and assess movement and nerve function. X-rays may be part of the investigation. For more serious signs, MRI or CT scans can show the affected area and help guide treatment. Testing also helps distinguish disc disease from other spinal problems.

Breeds with documented risk

36 breeds

By breed size

5 Toy
21 Small
8 Medium
2 Large

All 36 breeds, A to Z

Basset Hound Source pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Beagle Sources avmajournals.avma.org pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org sciencedirect.com
Bichon Frise Sources opentextbooks.library.arizona.edu pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Boston Terrier Source pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Chihuahua Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Chinese Crested Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel Sources avmajournals.avma.org pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Coton De Tulear Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Dachshund Sources avmajournals.avma.org avmajournals.avma.org
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Doberman Pinscher Source avmajournals.avma.org
Dorgi Source petmd.com
Dorkie Source petmd.com

Havanese Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lhasa Apso Source sciencedirect.com

Maltese Source opentextbooks.library.arizona.edu
Miniature Poodle Source vet.cornell.edu
Miniature Schnauzer Source avmajournals.avma.org

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Papillon Source avmajournals.avma.org
Pekingese Sources avmajournals.avma.org pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Sources avmajournals.avma.org pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Portuguese Water Dog Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pug Source pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Russell Terrier Source opentextbooks.library.arizona.edu

Toy Poodle Source vet.cornell.edu

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant
One copy of the variant, from either parent, is enough to put a dog at risk. On average, an affected dog passes the variant to half of its puppies. Males and females are affected equally.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.