Dachshund
The most commonly affected breed, thanks to that long back and short legs.
Understanding your dog's health
What is IVDD?
IVDD — Intervertebral Disc Disease — is a common spinal condition in dogs. Here's what it is, the breeds most at risk, the signs to watch for, and how we can support recovery alongside your vet.
The basics
A spinal condition that presses on the nerves.
IVDD is a spinal condition where the discs between the vertebrae degenerate, bulge or burst, pressing on the spinal cord and causing pain, nerve problems, or — in severe cases — paralysis.
Those intervertebral discs are the soft, shock-absorbing cushions between each vertebra in the spine. When one is damaged, it can push against the delicate spinal cord that runs just above it.
What happens in the spine
A healthy disc vs. a bulging disc.
Who's most at risk
Especially common in long-backed breeds.
IVDD can affect any dog, but these breeds have a genetic predisposition to early disc degeneration:
French Bulldog
A popular breed with a raised risk of disc problems.
Shih Tzu
One of the long-and-low breeds prone to early disc changes.
Basset Hound
Long-backed and heavy-set, with added strain on the spine.
Beagle
Also among the breeds more likely to develop IVDD.
Predisposition isn't certainty. Being an at-risk breed doesn't mean your dog will develop IVDD — but knowing the signs helps you act early if they do.
Signs to watch for
Know the signs — they can appear suddenly or gradually.
Back or neck pain
Wobbliness or poor balance
Weakness in the legs
Dragging feet
Reluctance to jump or climb
Hunched or arched posture
Shivering or panting
Loss of bladder/bowel control
Paralysis in severe cases
IVDD can be an emergency. If your dog suddenly can't walk, is dragging their back legs, or has lost bladder or bowel control, contact your vet immediately — fast treatment gives the best chance of recovery.
How we can help
Gentle support for recovery — alongside your vet.
Once your vet has diagnosed IVDD and your dog is stable, and typically in milder cases, supportive therapy can aid recovery as part of a vet-led plan. A vet's plan often begins with strict rest (frequently crate rest for several weeks), pain relief and anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants. When your dog is ready, these gentle therapies can help:
Class IV Laser Therapy
Reduces inflammation and pain, enables cellular repair and improves blood flow — a key supportive therapy for IVDD recovery.
Explore laser therapyGalen Myotherapy
Gentle, hands-on work to ease the compensatory muscle tension that builds up when a dog is guarding a sore back.
Explore myotherapyMobility Therapy
Once stable, staged rehabilitation exercises help rebuild strength, balance and confidence.
Read the guideA note on this guide. It's for general education and isn't a diagnosis. Our therapies complement veterinary treatment rather than replacing it, and we can work alongside your vet if required. Other approaches such as hydrotherapy may also form part of the plan your vet recommends.
Where this is offered. IVDD recovery is slow, careful work, and moving a dog with a painful spine to a clinic is the opposite of restful. Sessions happen in your own home, anywhere from Estepona through La Duquesa to Sotogrande, with travel within 15 km of La Duquesa included.
Common questions
IVDD, briefly answered.
What is IVDD in dogs?
Intervertebral Disc Disease: a spinal condition where the discs between the vertebrae degenerate, bulge or burst, pressing on the spinal cord. That pressure causes pain, nerve problems, or in severe cases paralysis.
Which breeds are most at risk of IVDD?
IVDD can affect any dog, but Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Basset Hounds and Beagles have a genetic predisposition to early disc degeneration. Predisposition is not certainty — being an at-risk breed does not mean your dog will develop it.
What are the signs of IVDD?
Back or neck pain, wobbliness or poor balance, weakness in the legs, dragging feet, reluctance to jump or climb, a hunched or arched posture, and shivering or panting. They can appear suddenly or come on gradually.
Is IVDD an emergency?
It can be. If your dog suddenly cannot walk, is dragging their back legs, or has lost bladder or bowel control, contact your vet immediately. Vet diagnosis is essential with IVDD, and therapy supports recovery alongside veterinary care rather than instead of it.
Supporting your dog's recovery, gently.
If your vet has diagnosed IVDD and you'd like to talk about gentle, choice-led therapy to support recovery, I'm here to help.
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