Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) covers the ways a degenerating or suddenly ruptured disc injures the spinal cord or nerve roots. Acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion is the most common cause of sudden paraparesis and paraplegia in dogs, largely because chondrodystrophic breeds are so popular (ACVIM 2022). Getting the neurological grade right, especially deep pain, decides both treatment and prognosis.
Key facts
Intervertebral disc disease at a glance- Species and system: dog (rare in cats); nervous system, vertebral column and spinal cord.
- Cause: disc degeneration. Chondroid degeneration leads to acute extrusion (Hansen type I) in chondrodystrophic breeds; fibroid degeneration leads to slow protrusion (Hansen type II) in older large breeds.
- Who: lifetime prevalence about 3.5% in dogs overall and about 20% in Miniature Dachshunds (Merck). Dachshund, French Bulldog, Beagle, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso and Pekingese are typical.
- Classic presentation: a Dachshund with acute back pain, kyphosis and pelvic limb paresis or paralysis with upper motor neuron (UMN) reflexes.
- Key prognostic test: deep pain perception caudal to the lesion.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.