Signs of Back Pain & IVDD in Dogs and What You Can Do

Is your dog’s back hurting? The top signs every pet parent should know.

Back pain and IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) are some of the most common issues that can affect our canine companions, especially as they age or if they're a predisposed breed.

Whether it's a sudden limp, difficulty jumping, or general discomfort, identifying the warning signs early is crucial for helping your dog avoid serious injury and improve their quality of life.

IVDD occurs when spinal discs become damaged or degenerate, causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis. While breeds like Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels are especially vulnerable, back pain can affect dogs of any size. Left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility, making effective management crucial.

From supportive bedding and non-slip surfaces to rehab, acupuncture, mobility exercises, and harness support, there are many ways to help manage your dog’s back pain at home. Working closely with a qualified rehab professional and veterinarian will ensure the best approach to managing their condition and improving their quality of life.

On this episode, licensed Physiotherapist and Canine Rehab Therapist, Sarah MacKeigan joins us to discuss:

• How to recognize different types of back pain.
• The causes and symptoms of IVDD.
• Practical home care for dogs with back pain or IVDD
• Comparing surgical versus conservative treatments.

Original LIVE aired Dec 29, 2024. To watch video podcasts LIVE, plus take part with your comments & questions, subscribe at Inside Scoop.

TIMESTAMPS

00:06:52 Northwest Natural Recall

00:011:37 How Often does Back Pain Come Up?

00:17:56 Spinal Cord Anatomy

00:20:24 Types of Diseases

00:28:14 What to do when your Pet is in Pain

00:30:09 Symptoms

00:35:13 When to Take Action

00:49:45 Study of Conservative Management of Acute Thoracolumbar Disk Extrusion

00:55:22 Maintenance for a dog that is down

01:01:00 Urinary Tract Infections

01:06:10 Importance of TeleConsultations

01:11:22 Rehab

01:35:26 Prevention

01:44:57 Things to Avoid

MENTIONED

• Sarah MacKeigan Upward Dog Rehab & Wellness
• Emerging and Adjunctive Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury Following Acute Canine Intervertebral Disc Herniation
• Conservative Management of Intervertebral Disc Herniations in the paretic dog 
• A review of intervertebral disc disease classification in dogs
• Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion
• Mechanisms of injury and emergency care of acute spinal cord injuries in dogs and cats
• Classification of Intervertebral Disc Disease
• ACVIM consensus statement on diagnosis and management of acute canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion
• Recurrence rate of intervertebral disc disease in surgically treated French Bulldogs
• Improving Neurological Ou