What are The Five Stages of IVDD?
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) has a wide range of symptoms from mild pain and stiffness, to full on paralysis. This can make it fairly easy to overlook in the early stages, when the symptoms are less severe. It is very important to learn what symptoms to look out for, especially if your dog is a predisposed breed like dachshunds for example. Knowing how to spot IVDD will give your dog a much better chance at recovering without losing their mobility.
The Five Stages of IVDD
IVDD can typically be broken down into five stages, stage 1 being the least severe and stage 5 being the most severe. Although there are five stages, IVDD does not always follow a linear pattern. This means that your dog could suddenly become stage 4 or 5 without ever showing symptoms of the first stages. Or your dog could go from stage 2 to stage 5 very suddenly. Look at it more as a scale of severity of symptoms. Depending on your dog’s symptoms, they will fall somewhere on the scale.
Always consult with your vet…
Your vet should help you determine what stage of IVDD your dog is in. Knowing this will help you and your vet form a plan of action, and determine what treatment option is best for your situation, be it surgical or conservative. Always be sure to consult with your vet immediately when your dog is presenting symptoms of IVDD, especially the more severe stages, as the faster you take action and get your dog treated, the higher chance they will have of making a full recovery.
Stage 1: Mild to Moderate Pain
Stage 2: Moderate to Severe Pain
Stage 3: Ataxia (Lack of Coordination)
Stage 4: Paralysis (Deep Pain Perception)
Stage 5: Paralysis (Loss of Deep Pain Perception)
Symptoms
Stage 1:
- Mild to moderate pain in the back or neck area
- Stiffness in the back or neck
- Reluctance to move the head
- Lowered head stance
- Reluctance to jump up or down steps or furniture
Stage 2:
- Moderate to severe pain in the back or neck area
- Yelping and/or aggression when moved or touched
- Yelping when getting up or laying down
- Panting, trembling, lack of appetite
- Arched (hunched) back with tense muscles
Stage 3:
- Moderate to severe pain in back or neck area
- Lack of coordination in one or more limbs (ataxia)
- Difficulty walking or sanding on their own
- One or more paws knuckling over when standing
- Dragging one or more limbs when walking
Stage 4:
- Moderate to severe pain in back or neck area
- Paralysis (no voluntary movement) of affected limbs
- May or may not have control of bladder and/or bowels
- Reflexes are still in tact
- Deep pain perception still in tact
Stage 5:
- Moderate to severe pain in neck and back area
- Paralysis (no voluntary movement) in affected limbs
- Loss of bladder/bowel control (incontinence)
- Abnormal reflexes in affected limbs
- Loss of deep pain perception in affected limbs
What do you do when you notice symptoms?
No matter what stage your dog is in, it is absolutely crucial to confine them to a small area like a crate and get them in to see the vet as soon as possible. Like I said before, stage 1 can quickly become stage 5 if the disc ruptures more into the spinal column. Any amount of pain will result in inflammation in the spine, which can lead to more damage to the spinal cord, not to mention more pain for your dog. If you can’t get in to see your regular vet, go to the nearest emergency vet hospital, don’t wait! Your vet or neurologist will help you determine what stage your dog is in, and what the best treatment options are for your situation.
