Intervertebral Disk Disease - IVDD

Breeders have bred dogs over many years to obtain a certain look or to enhance specific qualities. One of the more significant tradeoffs with this breeding is the propensity for some breeds to have problems with their bone structure. In some dogs this affects the spinal cord. When it occurs it is called intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).

Cause
Trauma to a normal disk can cause disk material to extrude into the spinal canal. The most common cause is the natural degeneration of the disk that occurs in the chondrodystrophic breeds when young, and the larger breed dogs as they age. In most chondrodystrophic breeds it is the thoracolumbar area, the junction of the last few thoracic vertebrae and the first few lumbar vertebrae, that are involved.

Symptoms
Crying in pain or shaking Reluctance to move
Poor appetite (anorexia) Paraparesis or paralysis to rear legs
Muscle spasms and reluctance to move Tense abdomen
One or both front legs might be lame Hunched appearance
Ataxia to rear quarters Fecal or urinary incontinence

Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of IVDD disease mimic those of other diseases, a thorough approach is needed to differentiate them. SEE YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT THIS CONDITION as time is very important. Several canine breeds are prone to getting IVDD due to the shape of their bones from breeding:
Dachshunds Welsh corgi Shih Tzu's Bulldogs
Lhasa apso's Pekingese Cocker spaniels Beagles

For more information please go to "Dodgers list"