Slipped disc (IVDD) in your dog: what to look for, and how we help
Long-backed dogs like dachshunds and French bulldogs are especially prone to IVDD, a disc problem in the spine, and it can be frightening when it happens. We are here to help you through it: we see your dog here in Eastwood, and when a scan or surgery is needed, our sister practice in Lane Cove looks after that part with us.
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The short answer
- IVDD happens when a disc in the spine bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord, and we will see your dog here first and take it from there with you.
- Most common in dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles and other long-backed breeds.
- It ranges from back pain and reluctance to jump, through to wobbly, dragging or paralysed back legs. When the disc is in the neck, the front legs can be affected as well.
- Sudden loss of the use of the back legs is an emergency, and the sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.
What is IVDD?
The discs between the bones of the spine act as cushions. In intervertebral disc disease, a disc degenerates and either bulges or ruptures, pushing up against the spinal cord that runs just above it. That pressure is what causes the pain and, in worse cases, the loss of coordination or movement in the legs.
Some breeds are built for it. Dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles, corgis and shih tzus have long backs and a disc type that ages early, which is why IVDD shows up in them far more often, sometimes after nothing more than a jump off the couch.
Is it always the back legs?
Most of the time, yes. About 80% of the IVDD cases we see affect the back legs. IVDD can also happen in the neck, in roughly 10 to 20% of cases, and then the front legs can be affected too. So a dog who is suddenly sore in the neck, or unsteady on the front legs, deserves the same urgency.
What are the signs of IVDD?
Signs depend on where the affected disc is and how much pressure there is on the cord. Early on it can look like a dog that's simply “gone off”: quieter, stiffer, not quite themselves.
- A hunched back or neck, yelping when picked up, or reluctance to jump or climb stairs
- A wobbly, unsteady or “drunk” walk in the back legs
- Dragging the back paws, or knuckling over onto the tops of the feet
- When the disc is in the neck, weakness or wobbliness in the front legs as well
- Weakness or trembling, or crying out in pain for no obvious reason
- In severe cases: unable to stand, no movement in the legs, or loss of bladder control
Signs that need us today
- Sudden inability to stand or walk, or legs that give way or drag
- No movement or feeling in the legs, or loss of bladder/bowel control
- Severe, sudden pain that isn't easing
With IVDD the window for the best result can be short, so please do not wait to see whether it settles. Call us on 02 7258 9900, or your nearest emergency vet, straight away.
How is IVDD diagnosed?
The first step is a careful neurological examination here in Eastwood, so we can work out where the problem is and how serious it is. Seeing the disc itself takes advanced imaging, a CT scan, and that is done at our sister practice, Advanced Vet Care in Lane Cove. We will explain what that involves and why, so you know exactly what is happening at each step.
How is IVDD treated?
The right treatment depends on how severe the signs are, and how quickly they came on.
Conservative (medical) management
Milder cases, where there is pain and mild wobbliness but your dog is still walking, often do well with strict rest, pain relief and anti-inflammatories, and a careful gradual return to activity. “Strict rest” really does mean strict; it's the hardest and most important part.
Surgery
When the legs are badly affected, or the signs came on suddenly and are getting worse, surgery to take the pressure off the spinal cord gives the best chance of a good recovery. Timing matters here more than in almost anything else we treat. IVDD surgery is done at Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove.
What does IVDD treatment cost?
These are the published prices at Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove, where IVDD is scanned and operated on.
| Option | What is included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| X-rays and non-surgical treatment | An initial consultation, X-rays of the spine under sedation, pain relief and anti-inflammatories, and a detailed home recovery plan. | $1,400 |
| Diagnosis and surgery | An initial consultation, a CT scan read by a specialist radiologist, IVDD surgery, and the first 24 hours in hospital after the operation. | $9,000 fixed price |
The $9,000 covers everything in the table above. Any complications, or a stay beyond the first 24 hours, cost extra, and that is talked through with you at the time. There is no direct overnight monitoring at Lane Cove, so where a dog needs it after surgery a transfer is arranged, also at additional cost.
Is something not right with your dog's back?
We would much rather see your dog and put your mind at rest than have you worrying at home. We will take a gentle look and tell you honestly what we think.
What is recovery like?
Recovery is measured in weeks, not days, and the rest period is the part owners find hardest. Most dogs that still have feeling in their legs when they are treated do well. Physiotherapy and controlled exercise help, and we will set out what that looks like week by week.
You will never be wasting our time
If you are not sure whether it is serious enough to call about, we would always rather hear from you early, because with a back problem acting quickly is what makes the biggest difference. If it turns out to be a simple sore back, that is good news we are happy to share.
Common questions
Can IVDD be prevented?
Not entirely, because the disc type is inherited. Keeping your dog lean, using ramps instead of jumps, and a harness rather than a neck collar all reduce the load on the spine.
Will my dog walk again?
Many do, particularly when they still have deep pain sensation at the time of treatment. That is one of the first things we check, because it is the best guide to the outlook.
Is IVDD painful?
Yes, often very. Pain relief is part of treatment from the outset, whichever route is taken.
Medically reviewed by Dr Mirko Spidalieri · updated October 2026. This guide is general information, not a substitute for examining your individual dog.
A fantastic clinic. The staff are always super helpful and take their time to explain through any potential diagnoses. Thanks Dr Mirko for your help as always.
Phil Madden, Google review · 5 stars
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Medically reviewed by Dr Mirko Spidalieri.
We are here when your dog needs us
You are welcome to book online, or ring us on 02 7258 9900 and the team will find the soonest time for your dog.
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