If your dog has IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), then his chances of getting better are affected by the severity of his disease. This is worked out mainly from the dog’s clinical signs (symptoms). Some vets give IVDD patients a clinical…
IVDD sling-walking
Your dog may need help to walk if his hind legs are very weak or paralysed, e.g. if he’s recovering from IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Some of these dogs cannot move their hind legs at all. Others are able to…
IVDD non-surgical treatment
If your dog has IVDD, then the main treatment options are surgical and non-surgical. You might be starting non-surgical treatment if: your dog has mild signs of IVDD and is able to walk your dog has more severe signs, but…
Home care for the IVDD-affected dog
If your dog has intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), then you may be looking for information on how to improve recovery. In the weeks following spinal surgery, or during non-surgical treatment, he’ll need care and attention from you at home to keep…
What is IVDD?
Your dog may have been diagnosed with “IVDD” if he has back or neck pain with or without difficulty walking. Severely-affected dogs may be unable to walk at all. Treatment is surgical or non-surgical. Above: Difficulty walking due to IVDD…
Keeping your dog safe outside the recovery crate
It is essential to keep your dog safe following injury or surgery. Too much rushing about can be disastrous, for example it may cause a repaired structure to break and mean that your dog needs a further major operation. Your vet may…
Obtaining measurements of dogs
Why have we been measuring dogs? The recovery crate, pen or room must offer sufficient space for the patient’s basic welfare needs. In particular, the dog should be able to adopt each of its natural postures. For more on this…
No time for crate introduction
I don’t have enough time for crate introduction. What should I do? It is best to introduce your dog to the recovery crate gradually if at all possible. For general advice on introducing your dog to the recovery crate, click…
Crate introduction method 2
Introduction to the recovery crate: Method 2 It is always best to introduce your dog to the recovery crate gradually. There are various ways of doing this. If your dog is not safe to walk back and forth in and…
Neurological conditions
Dogs and cats with disc disease or other neurological conditions benefit greatly from rehabilitation. Examples include: Dachshunds (or other breeds) after spinal surgery Non-surgical management of disc problems Older dogs with back pain with or without disability “Spinal stroke” (fibrocartilaginous…