Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs and Cats
📝 Summary
Intervertebral disc disease occurs when a degenerate disc bulges or herniates and compresses the spinal cord, causing pain, incoordination, and paralysis. It is most common in small or older chondrodystrophic dogs and rarely resolves without treatment.
1 Symptoms
IVDD is characterized by pain, ataxia, numbness, and motor or sensory paralysis. It is common in small, older chondrodystrophic dogs but also occurs in non-chondrodystrophic dogs and cats.
It most often affects the thoracolumbar spine. Type I disc disease causes pain and motor/sensory deficits that appear suddenly, within minutes to hours of herniation (sometimes over days to weeks).
Cervical disc disease causes neck sensitivity and pain: the head is held low, the back arched, muscles in spasm, ears erect, neck stiff; severe cases show front-limb numbness, ataxia, or tetraplegia. Thoracolumbar herniation begins with severe pain then sudden hind-limb weakness or numbness with lost sensation but normal front limbs; urinary incontinence and reduced anal reflex follow.
Upper motor neuron lesions cause a full, tense bladder; lower motor neuron lesions cause a flaccid, easily expressed bladder. Most thoracolumbar herniations occur at T11–12 to L2–3.
2 Causes and Transmission
Disc degeneration underlies the disease; recognized triggers include breed and age, genetics, trauma, and disc factors. Chondrodystrophic breeds are predisposed.
It is not contagious.
3 Diagnosis
A neurological examination localizes the lesion (cervical versus thoracolumbar) and grades severity.
Spinal radiographs, myelography, CT, or MRI confirm the herniated disc and cord compression; trauma, tumor, and inflammation should be ruled out.
4 Treatment
Treatment combines anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication (corticosteroids or NSAIDs) with pain control. Laser therapy may be applied locally.
Surgical decompression (such as a windowing procedure) is considered for significant compression or progression. Rest, controlled activity, and rehabilitation including acupuncture or massage support recovery.
5 Prevention
Maintain a healthy weight and avoid jumps from heights, especially in chondrodystrophic breeds.
Use ramps and harnesses, and seek prompt care for back or neck pain to limit cord damage.
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