Intervertebral disc disease is a major cause of pain and paralysis in dogs, particularly chondrodystrophic breeds, with treatment outcomes greatly improved by rapid recognition and intervention.
Acute IVDD causes severe pain — the combination of disc herniation and spinal cord compression is among the most acutely painful conditions dogs experience. Dogs in IVDD crisis may scream, refuse to move, or become suddenly paralysed. The welfare window for optimal intervention is narrow: surgery performed within 24 hours of paralysis gives dramatically better outcomes than surgery performed after 48-72 hours. Even with paralysis, many dogs recover function with appropriate treatment, but quality of life assessment for dogs with permanent paralysis must consider mobility, continence, and freedom from pressure sores. Wheelchairs, nursing care, and physiotherapy can support good welfare in paralysed dogs, but this requires significant owner commitment.