Companion Animals

Preventing IVDD in Dogs: Welfare and Risk Reduction

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a leading cause of paralysis in dogs, particularly chondrodystrophic breeds, and prevention is a key welfare priority.

Key Facts

Dachshunds have a 1 in 4 lifetime risk of clinically significant IVDD
Chondrodystrophic breeds have abnormal disc calcification from an early age
MRI screening can identify disc calcification before clinical disease
Body weight management significantly reduces disc disease severity
Surgical treatment is effective if performed promptly but expensive

Welfare Considerations

IVDD causes acute, severe pain — affected dogs may be unable to walk and show signs of intense distress. Delayed treatment worsens prognosis. Prevention is possible through weight management, activity modification and, in some cases, prophylactic surgery. Breed-related IVDD reflects selection for short-legged body forms that create inherent spinal pathology — a welfare issue at the level of breed standards.

What You Can Do

Maintain healthy body weight in at-risk breeds — every kilogram matters
Learn early IVDD signs: reluctance to jump, pain on handling, altered gait
Discuss MRI screening for disc calcification with your vet for high-risk dogs
Avoid high-impact activities (jumping on/off furniture) in chondrodystrophic breeds
Support breed reform efforts to reduce selection for extreme chondrodystrophic conformation