Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs
📝 Summary
Canine IVDD: how a bulging disc weakens the hind legs, the signs to watch for, and combined medical, acupuncture, and home heat therapy.
1 Recognizing the Signs
An affected dog may run a normal temperature yet appear tense, with weak hind legs and a wobbly, ataxic walk that lets the toes scrape the floor; knee-jerk reflexes fade and pain response in the limbs is faint. Standing still becomes hard as the rear legs splay outward. These point to hind-limb nerve dysfunction and should send you to the clinic quickly.
2 Treatment and Home Care
Veterinary care often combines a corticosteroid and an antibiotic with B-vitamin support injected near the spine, plus herbal circulatory aids, to calm inflammation and protect nerves. Many cases also use acupuncture at points along the spine and hind leg with electro-stimulation and infrared heat for about 20 minutes, repeated every few days. At home, warm-compress the lower back and hind legs daily to boost circulation, and follow the clinic’s rest plan.
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