IVDD

You might have seen some dogs in wheelchairs and wonder why they are in that situation. Some of them have paralysis of the legs and can't walk normally anymore because of IVDD. I am an IVDD fighter and I want to bring awareness to this disease. Intervetebral disk disease (IVDD) is a serious condition when a dog has a slip or herniated disk. It is very painful and refers to a neurological problem when the intervetebral disks degenerates. Although it is common to dog breeds such as dachshunds, corgis and beagles, the disease is not limited to those breeds. 

Giraffe and Lamby keeping me company while I am in pain. 

The first episode of IVDD can occur between the ages of 3-7. Some dogs can have only one episode but others will have multiple episodes for the rest of their lives. My first episode happened when I was 4 years old, I collapsed when I greeted someone at the door and I was brought immediately to the ER. I had X-rays done but the vets couldn't tell what was wrong with me. My temperature was above normal so I was given some medication to take home and I got better after a few days. A couple months later I had another episode. My human noticed I was not acting like myself and seemed like I was in pain so she brought me to a different vet and the vet said that I have IVDD. I was given NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medication and I became better after a few days. The vet advised me that I should look into getting an operation so I can get my back fixed while I am still young. The year after that was when I had my worst IVDD episode, I was 5 years old then. I experienced symptoms such as weakness in rear legs, crying out in pain when I am being touched and hunched back. I wouldn’t eat my food or get up from my bed and the only way I could be moved from one place to another is if my humans carry me with me on my bed. 

Can you tell how much I have been crying? Good thing I have Lamby to cuddle with.

IVDD is a serious disease and if you feel that your dog might have symptoms of IVDD, take them immediately to a neurologist. I was given NSAID’s drugs at first but when I wasn’t responding to the medication, they started giving me steroids. The 2 neurologists that we went to advised us that I need to have surgery immediately and the estimate given to us was $6,000 for the MRI and operation.

Puppy camera. This is how my human checked on me when she was at work.

I still cannot get out of my bed but I started eating again. Yay.

Money was a little tight for us so the neurologist suggested that we can do a myelogram instead of the MRI before the operation and my human agreed. The day of the operation, my human had to go to work so she dropped me off at the hospital. Later that day, she received a call from the vet saying that they are starting to see improvements. The vet suggested to not do anything and to just observe first how I am doing. I was getting better but still in a little bit of pain so my human researched for alternative treatments and she found out about acupuncture and underwater treadmill (I will write more about my treatments next time). My human made sure that I got all the treatments I need and I eventually got better and started to walk again. I think what probably caused my back pain was jumping down from the couch while I was overweight. My tiny legs and body could only take so much. I had to lose weight so my human changed my food and I lost 1 whole pound. She also gives me joint supplements everyday with my dinner. The whole experience was very stressful and emotional and I am glad that is over. Thank you to everyone who supported and prayed for me during such a difficult time. My back is hurting again now but not as bad as before. I am currently being observed and I just hope that the pain will go away soon.