IVDD in dogs: the signs to watch for, and what happens next
If your dog has suddenly gone quiet, stiff or wobbly on their back legs, a disc problem in the spine is one of the things it could be. Here is what IVDD is, what we do when you bring your dog in to us at Macquarie Park, and how our sister practice in Lane Cove handles the scan and the surgery when they are needed.
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The short answer
- In IVDD, a disc between the bones of the spine bulges or bursts and pushes on the spinal cord. We examine your dog here, and the scan and any surgery happen at Lane Cove.
- Most common in dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles and other long-backed breeds.
- It ranges from back pain and reluctance to jump, through to wobbly, dragging or paralysed back legs. When the disc is in the neck, the front legs can be affected as well.
- Sudden loss of the use of the back legs is an emergency, and the sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.
What is IVDD?
The discs between the bones of the spine act as cushions. In intervertebral disc disease, a disc degenerates and either bulges or ruptures, pushing up against the spinal cord that runs just above it. That pressure is what causes the pain and, in worse cases, the loss of coordination or movement in the legs.
Some breeds are built for it. Dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles, corgis and shih tzus have long backs and a disc type that ages early, which is why IVDD shows up in them far more often, sometimes after nothing more than a jump off the couch.
Is it always the back legs?
Most of the time, yes. About 80% of the IVDD cases we see affect the back legs. IVDD can also happen in the neck, in roughly 10 to 20% of cases, and then the front legs can be affected too. So a dog who is suddenly sore in the neck, or unsteady on the front legs, deserves the same urgency.
What are the signs of IVDD?
Signs depend on where the affected disc is and how much pressure there is on the cord. Early on it can look like a dog that's simply “gone off”: quieter, stiffer, not quite themselves.
- A hunched back or neck, yelping when picked up, or reluctance to jump or climb stairs
- A wobbly, unsteady or “drunk” walk in the back legs
- Dragging the back paws, or knuckling over onto the tops of the feet
- When the disc is in the neck, weakness or wobbliness in the front legs as well
- Weakness or trembling, or crying out in pain for no obvious reason
- In severe cases: unable to stand, no movement in the legs, or loss of bladder control
Signs that need us today
- Sudden inability to stand or walk, or legs that give way or drag
- No movement or feeling in the legs, or loss of bladder/bowel control
- Severe, sudden pain that isn't easing
With IVDD the window for the best result can be short, so please do not wait to see whether it settles. Call us on 02 9888 1833, or your nearest emergency vet, straight away.
How is IVDD diagnosed?
We begin with a neurological examination here at Macquarie Park, which tells us where along the spine the problem is likely to be and how serious it looks. To see the disc itself and plan any treatment, the next step is advanced imaging, a CT scan, which is done at our sister practice, Advanced Vet Care in Lane Cove, five minutes down the road.
How is IVDD treated?
The right treatment depends on how severe the signs are, and how quickly they came on.
Conservative (medical) management
Milder cases, where there is pain and mild wobbliness but your dog is still walking, often do well with strict rest, pain relief and anti-inflammatories, and a careful gradual return to activity. “Strict rest” really does mean strict; it's the hardest and most important part.
Surgery
When the legs are badly affected, or the signs came on suddenly and are getting worse, surgery to take the pressure off the spinal cord gives the best chance of a good recovery. Timing matters here more than in almost anything else we treat. IVDD surgery is done at Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove.
What does IVDD treatment cost?
These are the published prices at Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove, where IVDD is scanned and operated on.
| Option | What is included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| X-rays and non-surgical treatment | An initial consultation, X-rays of the spine under sedation, pain relief and anti-inflammatories, and a detailed home recovery plan. | $1,400 |
| Diagnosis and surgery | An initial consultation, a CT scan read by a specialist radiologist, IVDD surgery, and the first 24 hours in hospital after the operation. | $9,000 fixed price |
The $9,000 covers everything in the table above. Any complications, or a stay beyond the first 24 hours, cost extra, and that is talked through with you at the time. There is no direct overnight monitoring at Lane Cove, so where a dog needs it after surgery a transfer is arranged, also at additional cost.
Is your dog stiff, sore or wobbly?
We can see your dog and work out with you how urgent it is, and if a scan is needed, we will explain how the next step at Lane Cove works.
What is recovery like?
Recovery is measured in weeks, not days, and the rest period is the part owners find hardest. Most dogs that still have feeling in their legs when they are treated do well. Physiotherapy and controlled exercise help, and we will set out what that looks like week by week.
It is always worth ringing early
With IVDD, how quickly a dog with sudden weakness in the back legs is seen makes the biggest difference to how they recover. So if you are unsure, we would rather you rang and let us help you decide, even if it turns out to be nothing more than a sore back.
Common questions
Can IVDD be prevented?
Not entirely, because the disc type is inherited. Keeping your dog lean, using ramps instead of jumps, and a harness rather than a neck collar all reduce the load on the spine.
Will my dog walk again?
Many do, particularly when they still have deep pain sensation at the time of treatment. That is one of the first things we check, because it is the best guide to the outlook.
Is IVDD painful?
Yes, often very. Pain relief is part of treatment from the outset, whichever route is taken.
Medically reviewed by Dr Michael Stephen, BVSc, MVSc · updated October 2026. This guide is general information, not a substitute for examining your individual dog.
Dr Matt was so caring for my dog. He spoke with me over the phone before I had even came in for a consultation when I was worried. He gave him so much love, sat on the floor with him to make sure he was comfortable.
Raquel Hakim, Google review · 5 stars
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Medically reviewed by Dr Michael Stephen, BVSc, MVSc.
We will take a careful look at that back
We will examine your dog, explain what we find, and if a scan is needed, set out exactly how the next step at Lane Cove works and what it costs. If your dog is struggling now, please ring us on 02 9888 1833 rather than waiting for an online booking.
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