About Intervertebral Disc Disease
With as many as 1 in 4 dachshunds suffering from an episode of IVDD during their lifetime, It is important to make yourself aware of the signs and symptoms, which specialist IVDD surgeons and how to act in an emergency.
Put simply IVDD is when the jelly like content of the discs between the veterbra, squeezes out and presses on nerves causing severe pain and damage. Action should be taken immediately to prevent further damage and permanent paralyses.
Some of the symptoms of IVDD include:
- Crying when eating or drinking
- Yelping when moved and muscle spasm
- Shaking/trembling
- Hunched appearance and a tense abdomen
- Wobbly walking, paws knuckled, legs crossed or dragging.
If your dachshund is showing any of these signs then immediately restrict movement and confining them to a crate.
Get your dachshund to the vet quickly as you cannot diagnose it yourself. An X ray is not enough to identify what is happening to their discs and they need an MRI. If your vet is unaware of IVDD then ask for a referral to a specialist animal hospital.
Many dogs can be treated conservatively with extended crate rest for up to 8 weeks. However, it is vitally important to get your dachshund to the vets within the first 24 hours.
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