IVDD in Dogs: Prognosis Based on Clinical Signs

Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) is a common yet serious condition in dogs that can lead to varying degrees of pain and paralysis. IVDD is common in many toy and miniature dogs like Dachshunds, Beagles Poodles, French Bulldogs, and Corgis. IVDD occurs when one or more intervertebral disks in between the vertebrae degenerate and herniate leading to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Spinal cord compression from IVDD leads to a predictable cascade of clinical signs starting with pain, discomfort and can end with complete paralysis with loss of sensation to the toes. The amount and force of herniated disk material is the primary determining factors in the clinical signs your dog exhibits.

Understanding the stages of IVDD and their respective prognoses is crucial for any veterinarian or pet owner managing this condition. Here, we break down the prognosis for IVDD in dogs based on clinical signs, from mild discomfort to complete paralysis.

Stage 1: Mild Discomfort and Pain

Dogs at this stage display clear signs of discomfort such as vocalizing more than usual, showing aggression, or reacting sharply to touching or feeling the back. They are reluctant to move and show hesitancy to jump, run, or climb stairs. They might walk with an arched back or tight abdominal muscles, which can sometimes be mistaken for gastrointestinal symptoms. At this initial stage, medical management typically yields excellent results. Surgery is generally reserved for cases with recurrent episodes of pain without paresis.

Stage 2: Ataxia and Incoordination

Dogs with stage 2 IVDD may experience pain but primarily struggle with coordination and weakness. Symptoms include swaying, tripping over their paws, difficulty climbing stairs, or getting onto furniture. Despite these challenges, they can still walk at least 10 steps without assistance. Most dogs at this stage recover significant neurological function within five days through medical management alone. If improvement isn't seen within this time frame, further diagnostic workup is necessary to confirm IVDD.

Stage 3: Non-Ambulatory Paraparesis

Dogs that can still move their back legs but cannot walk more than a few steps without falling are considered to have stage 3 intervertebral disk disease. They may manage a few steps with assistance or support devices but cannot walk 10 feet without falling or sitting down. They can be very painful and many of the symptoms described above. Some dogs progress from pain to paraparesis and paralysis over several days or sometimes just hours. Dogs that have non-ambulatory parapareis often have difficulty with bladder control.

Dogs that are in Stage 3 IVDD category can be treated medically. If marked improvement is  not seen within a few days, evaluation, imaging, and surgical intervention can be very succesful in returning full function in these pets.

Stage 4 to 6: Complete Paralysis

Dogs that fall into the clinical signs categories of 4, 5, and 6 are paralyzed with complete loss  of movement in the pelvic limbs (back legs) and cannot urinate. The difference between categories these categories is that the dogs with category 4 can still feel their toes. Dogs with category 5 have lost their sensation to their toes recently while category 6 are those dogs that have lost feeling for more than 48 horus.

Your pet’s clinical evaluation should be made by a veterinarian. A careful examination helps classify your pet’s condition and provide a prognosis for recovery. Despite even severe clinical signs, recovery is possible with timely diagnosis and treatment, a huge number of these patients can return to a normal life.

Perception of Deep Pain

A comment about perception of pain or being able to feel their toes. In normal dogs, a light pinch to your dog’s toes usually elicits a strong reaction to the stimuli (think about when you try to clip their nails). Dogs that cannot feel their toes will not react appropriately to pinching their toes or the webbing between their toes. This is a test best performed by a veterinarian as there are reflexes that can look like this but are not.  The perception of pain, as evidenced by reactions to stimuli like toe pinching, is crucial in determining the severity of the condition and the need for urgent surgical intervention.

Surgical Consideration

Surgery is indicated in any dogs that fit into Stages 3-6 classification. Dogs that are classified as Stage 4 should have prompt treatment.  Dogs in Stages 5 and 6 are considered emergency surgery candidates as timely intervention can significantly improve their prognosis and outcome.

Dogs that are treated surgically need detailed spinal imaging (MRI or CT) to diagnose disk disease, identify the specific disk affected, and assess the status of the spinal cord prior to surgery. 

By understanding the specific stages and associated clinical signs of IVDD in dogs, veterinarians and pet owners can make informed decisions about the best course of treatment to maximize the chances of a successful recovery.

At VNIoC, our commitment is to provide immediate care for these patients giving them the very best chance of recovery and return to a normal life.