My dog has IVDD, is stiff and in pain. How do I care for him at home?

I would be inclined to think that since your vet has told you to carry him out to go potty on a leash, the vet wants Rigley to move a little a possible, and that would mean total confinement to a crate. To be sure, however, I would give your vet a call to ask for clarification on this. I certainly don't want to say you can let him out periodically to rest beside you if that's not what your vet wants in terms of his treatment.

Hello. I am sorry for the IVDD diagnosis. Was a surgical option presented to you? Many dogs go through surgery very well & have outstanding results. Bella should be placed on restricted activity. This usually means complete cage rest, only being allowed out to relieve herself. There is no need to give melatonin nor change her food. I would avoid bathing unless she is soiling herself ( urinating or defecating )in which case you might want to put a doggie diaper on her. The surface of the crate should be flat & non-slip & should be well padded to prevent sores. If the carprofen & neurotin is not keeping her comfortable, you may be able to increase the dose of neurotin, or she may need a stronger pain reliever like fentanyl. Lack of appetite can be from the pain, so increasing/changing pain meds may help. You can also speak with your vet about using an appetite stimulant like mirtazapine or Entyce to improve her appetite. I hope Bella is feeling better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

There are a few more medications that can be given such as tramadol and gabapentin, both are prescription only, you can get them from your normal vet. the most important factor for good recovery is cage rest for at least two weeks, in most cases neither MRI nor surgery are needed.

First off, I'm very sorry Dobby has been diagnosed with IVDD. I can understand how hard this may be for you. First thing to do is stop doing the pinch test. All you are going to do is worry and upset yourself. It's not beneficial to him or you. There are dogs that have lost deep pain and become paralyzed from the IVDD but still live full lives. Their owners are very dedicated to their care, and these dogs have wheelchairs to help them get around. Their owners also express their bladder. It's very full on, but it can be done. There may be options for you with treating him to prevent him losing deep pain sensation such as surgery, but your vet is the best to discuss those options. It's hard not to be upset, but working yourself into a state isn't good for you or him. Talk with your vet, see what treatment options are available for him. Hang in there, I hope this helped!

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately, intervertebral disk disease is the bane of all long backed dogs. The key to recovery is pain medication either in the form of a steroid like prednisone, or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as rimadyl, carprofen, metacam, etc. & STRICK rest. Ace must not jump, run, or be at all active while trying to heal. It can take 3 weeks for the disk to heal. You can apply alternating treatments of heat & cold by warming a sock with rice in the microwave ( make sure it is warm & not hot ), using it on Ace for 10 minutes, then apply a bag of frozen peas for 10 minutes. You can do this twice a day, but make sure there is a towel between the heat & cold, & move the application frequently to prevent hot or too cold spots. If Ace remains painful, you can ask your vet for an appropriate additive to Ace's medication. A muscle relaxant might be appropriate, or additional pain medications in the form of tramadol or gabapentin. These things take time. Hopefully, he will feel better by tomorrow. Take care.

Hello. I am sorry that this happened to Gina. The most recent recommendations for IVDD do not include steroid use and do include surgical decompression (a surgery to remove the herniated bit). If surgery is not possible due to finances (usually at least $4000, but talk to vets in your area), then strict cage rest for 6 weeks is recommended. These are the latest recommendations. The best thing to do would be to get a consultation with a neurologist or a surgeon, and have surgery if you can. I would look into these options ASAP as prognosis and return of function decreases the longer the compression is in place, so surgery now isn't as successful as surgery when it first happened, however surgery does have very good outcomes, often getting 80-95% of normal function back. I would recommend a consultation with a surgical specialist or a neurologist if you can. Good luck with Gina!

Generally speaking, dogs with IVDD who do not have major neurologic deficits (i.e., no paralysis) of the rear legs can often be managed successfully without surgery. The recommended treatment for these dogs usually involves strict cage rest for at least 30 days, along with a steroid or anti-inflammatory medication, pain medication, and sometimes muscle relaxers as well. Laser therapy, chiropractic therapy, and acupuncture can certainly be helpful in some cases as well. If Tigger is still quite painful after 30 days on this treatment plan, or if things get worse or she develops paralysis of her rear legs, these are indications that surgery may be necessary in order to treat the problem effectively.