Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) In Dogs
- Everwell Pets
- Jul 28
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Symptoms, Treatments, & Preventative Mitigation For Long-Backed Dog Breeds
If you’ve ever met a Dachshund, you know their charm is as long as their spine. Lovingly called “wiener dogs” or “sausage pups,” their unique body structure is part of their appeal—but it also makes them prone to serious spinal issues. Chief among these is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a painful and potentially debilitating condition that affects not just Dachshunds, but many long-backed breeds like Corgis, Basset Hounds, and Shih Tzus.
Let’s dig into why these dogs are at greater risk, what IVDD actually is, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and how genetic testing could offer valuable insights.
What Is IVDD?
IVDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the discs that cushion the vertebrae of the spine degenerate and herniate or rupture. When this happens, the soft inner material of the disc can press against the spinal cord, causing inflammation, pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis.There are two types:
Type I IVDD:
Most common in chondrodystrophic breeds like Dachshunds, this form involves acute disc herniation. The outer layer of the disc calcifies and ruptures suddenly, often following minimal to no trauma.
With my over 20 years of clinical experience, the most common history I hear from pet parents is: “I came home from work and their back legs weren’t working.” There’s usually no known trauma—or at least none the family was aware of—which makes this sudden onset especially alarming. It's often as if the paralysis appeared out of nowhere, which is a classic presentation for Type I IVDD.
Type II IVDD:
More gradual and often seen in larger breeds, this involves slow disc bulging and chronic degeneration.
In Dachshunds, Type I is the primary concern, and it can strike as early as 3–6 years of age,. According to a 2016 study published in PLOS ONE[1], approximately 20–25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD symptoms during their lifetime.
Body Shape, Genetics, and Risk—What the Science Says
The belief that long-backed dogs face a higher risk for IVDD isn't just folklore—it's strongly backed by scientific research[1][2][3]. A large-scale cross-breed study found Dachshunds have a 10–12 times greater risk of developing IVDD compared to other breeds. About 19–24% of Dachshunds show clinical signs of IVDD in their lifetime, clearly highlighting their vulnerability.
What causes this dramatically higher risk? It comes down to their unique body structure and genetics:
Chondrodystrophy:
Dachshunds and other similarly built breeds have a genetic trait called chondrodystrophy, which results in their signature long bodies and short legs. Unfortunately, this trait also leads to premature disc degeneration.
FGF4 Retrogene:
Recent genetic studies identified a strong connection between IVDD risk and a specific gene known as the FGF4 retrogene. Dogs carrying two copies of this gene have significantly increased risk due to early and rapid calcification of their spinal discs[2][3].
Together, body shape, chondrodystrophy, and FGF4 genetics create a "perfect storm" for IVDD in Dachshunds and similar breeds, making proactive care essential.
What Is Chondrodystrophy?
Chondrodystrophy is a hereditary disorder affecting cartilage and bone development—especially in the growth plates of long bones. It causes disproportionate dwarfism, resulting in short limbs and elongated spines, a hallmark of breeds like Dachshunds and Corgis. While this look is iconic and adorable, it comes with structural vulnerabilities.
The condition is linked notably on chromosomes 12 and 18—which drive early degeneration of intervertebral discs.
Health Concerns Associated With Chondrodystrophy:
Dogs with chondrodystrophy are at significantly higher risk of disc herniation due to premature disc calcification, which commonly leads to IVDD. They may also exhibit angular limb deformities, where bowed legs and uneven bone growth affect mobility and contribute to joint strain. Abnormal cartilage development often results in early-onset arthritis, impacting comfort and quality of life. Many chondrodystrophic dogs experience reduced range of motion and struggle with stairs, jumping, or prolonged activity. Additionally, vertebral malformations—such as wedge-shaped or misshapen vertebrae—can further compromise spinal integrity and stability.
Breeds Commonly Affected:
Dachshund
Basset Hound
Beagle
Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Shih Tzu
Lhasa Apso
Pekingese
French Bulldog (to a lesser extent, but often included due to spinal deformities)
Understanding that chondrodystrophy is more than “just short legs” empowers pet parents to take action early—with supportive care, limited jumping, and routine bodywork or chiropractic.
Signs & Symptoms Of Chrondrodystrophy
Early intervention is crucial. If your long-backed pup suddenly becomes reluctant to move, yelps when picked up, or starts dragging their hind legs, IVDD could be at play.
Common symptoms include:
Yelping, especially when touched or picked up
Arched back or hunched posture
Weakness or loss of coordination in the back legs (this can be subtle and important to initiate conservative care immediately)
Paralysis
Loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases
If you suspect IVDD, it's essential to avoid further spinal trauma and get to a vet right away. Transport your dog in a crate or on a flat surface and keep them as still as possible.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Over the years, less emphasis has been placed on neurological exams and more on imaging as the first step in diagnosis. When I first began practicing as a certified animal chiropractor, cases involving dogs who had suddenly stopped using their hind legs often relied solely on X-rays for evaluation—MRIs and CTs were rare and not widely accessible.
It’s important to understand that X-rays only show bony changes, such as calcification of discs, but cannot reveal soft tissue injuries or actual disc injuries. Today, MRI and CT imaging are considered the gold standard and more widely available for diagnosing IVDD because they provide a clear view of the spinal cord and intervertebral discs, though they can be costly.
I often discuss with pet parents that the decision to pursue an MRI or CT scan may come down to one key question: if the imaging confirms IVDD, are you prepared to proceed with surgery? That’s why it’s so important to consider starting with conservative care. In many cases, pet parents first visit their primary vet, begin medications, and are then referred to a veterinary neurologist. That referral process can take anywhere from two to four weeks—making it an ideal window to implement conservative measures like crate rest, pain management, and chiropractic care to see if the dog improves without surgery.
Treatment For IVDD:
Conservative Management:
Crate rest for 4–6 weeks, corticosteroid anti-inflammatories, pain management, and chiropractic care. It's important to note that when managing spinal inflammation, steroid-based anti-inflammatories are preferred as they are the only class shown to reduce inflammation within the spinal column. NSAIDs, while helpful for arthritic joint pain, are generally not effective in spinal disc injuries.
Surgery:
For severe or non-responsive cases, a hemilaminectomy (surgical decompression of the spinal cord) may be necessary. In my clinical experience, surgery can often be avoided with intense patience and dedication to healing—as long as there is no urinary involvement. The body has an incredible capacity to recover when given time, proper rest, and supportive care. Success rates are high—around 85–95% for dogs that still have deep pain perception—but costs and recovery time can be significant.
With that said, while the initial results of surgery may be favorable, in my clinical experience, it’s common for the vertebral segments above or below the surgical site to take on the mechanical burden. This compensatory strain can lead to additional disc breakdown over time, making future surgeries more likely or resulting in chronic pain that requires daily management later in life.
Most animals do well with the actual surgery—it’s the follow-up that is often not discussed. There are still weeks of crate rest or minimal activity, mounds of medications, and the additional cost of supportive therapies like chiropractic care, underwater treadmill sessions, acupuncture, and sometimes physical therapy. So please seriously consider being patient and trying the conservative management route first. Don’t rush into surgical intervention without weighing all factors and giving the body a chance to heal.
Chiropractic Case Series: Promising Observations
In preparing this blog, I turned to ChatGPT with a question I’ve been asked countless times in practice: Are there any actual studies showing how chiropractic care helps dogs with IVDD? To my surprise—it found one. Until now, I’ve relied on my over two decades of hands-on, anecdotal evidence. In my experience, chiropractic either helps... or it doesn’t (usually because we didn’t give it enough time). But here’s what I know for sure: I’ve never had a dog with IVDD get worse from an adjustment.
Chiropractic care has shown encouraging results in certain clinical observations.
A 2018 retrospective case series involving 24 dogs with hind-end paralysis from IVDD reported that every single dog regained the ability to walk following veterinary chiropractic adjustments targeting vertebral subluxations. These treatments were performed by certified animal chiropractors using techniques approved by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) [5].
“Each canine that presented for care eventually regained the ability to walk.” – Vertebral Subluxation Research[4]
For many dogs, particularly those in the hands of trained animal chiropractors, spinal adjustments appear to restore function, reduce pain, and support healing in ways that conventional treatments may overlook. This case series adds weight to what many of us in the field have long observed: when it comes to IVDD, chiropractic care deserves a central place in the conversation—not just as an adjunct, but as a proactive and potentially primary tool in conservative management.
Genetic Testing For IVDD:
With genetics playing such a central role in IVDD risk, genetic testing has become a valuable tool. Companies like Embark and Wisdom Panel now offer IVDD genetic risk testing. Such testing can detect the presence of the FGF4 retrogene, enabling breeders and pet parents to proactively manage risks.
A 2020 study in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology confirmed dogs carrying two copies of the FGF4 retrogene were significantly more likely to develop IVDD, often showing symptoms by three years of age.
Genetic testing won’t predict the exact outcome, but it can help breeders make more informed decisions, allow pet parents to be proactive with prevention, and inform decisions around insurance coverage and lifestyle adjustments.
Prevention Tips for Long-Backed Breeds
While you can’t change your dog’s genetics, you can help support a healthy spine:
Limit jumping: Use ramps or stairs for furniture access
Maintain a healthy weight: Extra pounds mean extra spinal strain
Strengthen core muscles: Through safe exercises or rehabilitation
Consider supportive therapies: Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and laser therapy can go a long way in maintaining spinal health and comfort. Starting chiropractic care early in life—and sticking with it consistently—can help prevent symptoms from developing in the first place by keeping the spine mobile, aligned, and adaptable as your dog ages.
Be Mindful of Exercise: Daily long walks and intense hikes aren’t always ideal for dogs with short legs and long backs. The repetitive impact of their joints hitting the ground can contribute to disc and joint degeneration over time. Short, gentle walks and low-impact movement (fit-paws) are a better fit for protecting their spines.
In Conclusion:
Living with a long-backed dog means staying vigilant—but not fearful. With awareness, genetic insight, and proactive care, many pups with IVDD go on to live full, happy lives. Whether you’re raising a goofy young Doxie or caring for a senior Basset, your choices today can help prevent pain tomorrow.
If you suspect your dog is at risk—or already showing signs—consult your holistic veterinarian, consider genetic testing and spinal imaging, and explore complementary care options like chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation therapy to support healing from the inside out.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
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Sources
PLOS ONE. (2016). "Prevalence of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds." https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148059
BMC Veterinary Research. (2020). "The effect of the FGF4 retrogene on IVDD in dogs." https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-020-02371-5
Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. (2020). "Genetic risk of IVDD linked to FGF4 retrogene insertions." https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-020-00094-7
Vertebral Subluxation Research. (2018). "Retrospective case series on chiropractic care in dogs with IVDD."
International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). https://ivca.de