What the heck is IVDD?

IVDD is Intervertebral Disc Disease, which causes the premature aging of the discs in the spine and neck. IVDD is present from birth, but presents itself most often between the ages of 3-7. When IVDD flares up, it can be anywhere from a bulging disc, which causes pressure to the spinal cord and mild pain; paralysis isn't always the problem. Most often, these incidents can be fixed with cage rest and steroids. The type of IVDD episode that hit Louie in 2013 was severe. The disc ruptured and shot disc material into his spinal cord. Slowly, he lost coordination, then he went down, then his tail stopped wagging, and then he stopped being able to go potty on his own. See the chart below for a diagram of what each different disc episode can look like.

So you're probably wondering, what the heck do you do when this happens?! Well, the answer can range from crate rest and medication to surgery. Some dogs respond to a conservative treatment, and some need surgery. During Louie's first episode, when we knew nothing about IVDD, we panicked. We weren't educated and took the first $10,000 suggestion our doctor gave us - surgery. Louie never quite walked the same again, but he regained potty control. He got fitted for a cart in the summer of 2013 and began zooming around like normal.

In March of this year, when Louie begin screaming in pain again, we didn't take the expensive route. Instead, we have been treating him with acupuncture (see below picture) and medicine. Guess what? It has worked wonders! We thought we would have to put him down this go-around, until we saw the miracle of alternative medicine at work. Just remember - you have options!

The first lesson to take from this is: What are the signs of a disc injury?
     -Arching of the back
     -Reluctance to move
     -Pain when touching the abdomen
     -Feet knuckling over or crossing when walking
     -Loss of appetite
     -Crying

What do I do?
     -IMMEDIATELY CRATE YOUR PET! This is not cruel, it is for their own good, and can save the injury from progressing further.

What caused this? I don't remember seeing anything happen.
     -Sometimes you'll never know. It can be as small as turning funny, jumping, or chasing a squirrel in the backyard. Prevention can help, but most of it is predestined.

What is the prognosis if my pet never walks again?
     -Whether they walk again after the first incident, or they don't, there is always the chance of recurrence. One in four dogs will see another disc episode once they have one. Life can be GREAT for a downed pet. Louie runs faster in his wheels than he ever did on all fours. IVDD IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!

I'll end today's entry by sharing a poem that his neurologist gave to me during his injury:


I’m Still Your Dog

Because I’m “just a dog” you see, I don’t sigh and say, “why me?” I just face it- go on livin’ and play the hand that I've been given.

I need you more now, that is true, for there are things I just can’t do. The ball you throw I can’t catch- I can’t even lift my leg to scratch.

It’s embarrassing a little- that I may need your help to piddle. But if our roles they were reverse, I’d be proud to be your nurse.

But hey, I love you more than ever. Me, give up? Well yeah, like never. I don’t regret what cannot be- with you my friend, I’ll just me me!

I’m still me within my soul where it counts, I still am whole. My back is bent and I’m quite lame, but in my heart I’m still the same.

by Julia Wrigley Smith