Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) causes sudden paralysis and severe pain in chondrodystrophic breeds, with prevention strategies and surgical options that can significantly improve welfare outcomes.
IVDD causes sudden, severe suffering — dogs in acute disc episodes experience intense pain and rapidly progressive paralysis. The transition from apparent normality to complete paralysis within hours is traumatic for both dog and owner. Early surgical intervention is the most effective welfare intervention, but access to specialist neurology and the cost of surgery create inequities in outcomes. Weight management, avoiding repetitive jumping, and ramp provision for furniture access are advocated as prevention but have limited evidence base. The emerging interest in prophylactic surgery for asymptomatic high-risk dogs reflects the severity of disease episodes and the desire to prevent suffering before it occurs.