IVDD in dogs – short for intervertebral disc disease – can be sudden, scary, and easy to miss. It’s a painful spinal condition that can affect many breeds, and in some cases, it’s mistaken for other issues entirely. That’s exactly what happened to our dog Coco. His pain was first misdiagnosed as pancreatitis, and by the time we got answers, his condition had worsened.
In this post, we share what IVDD looks like, what helped Coco recover, and what we wish we’d known from the start – especially when it comes to crate rest, vet advice, and listening to your gut.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page is for awareness and informational purposes only. It is not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell or you’re concerned about their behavior or mobility, please consult a qualified veterinarian. We are dog owners with experience of IVDD, not medical professionals.
💔 Coco’s Story
Our little dog Coco was wrongly diagnosed with pancreatitis. What he actually had was IVDD – Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition that affects the spine.
Because of this wrong diagnosis, Coco didn’t get the treatment he needed straight away. He was restless, in pain, and trying to tell us something was wrong. But without knowing, we let him carry on jumping on and off the sofa – something that can make spinal injuries far worse.
We only found out the truth after things got really bad. Luckily, with the right care – crate rest and medication – Coco made a strong recovery. But we always wonder how much suffering he could have avoided if we’d known what to look out for, or if we’d been told to keep him still just in case.
That’s why we’re sharing this page. So more people can know the signs, trust their gut, and advocate for their dogs.
🧠 What Is IVDD?
IVDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Disease. It’s a condition where the discs in a dog’s spine degenerate or herniate, pressing on the spinal cord. This can cause pain, weakness, and even paralysis.
It’s more common in certain breeds (like Dachshunds), but any dog can get it, including small mixed breeds like Coco. It often starts with subtle signs – and that’s part of what makes it so tricky.
🧬 Are Some Breeds More At Risk?
Yes – IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) is more common in chondrodystrophic breeds. These are dogs with short legs and long backs, and they’re more likely to develop spinal disc problems earlier in life due to the way their cartilage forms.
But any breed – including mixes – can be affected.
Coco, for example, is a Havanese x Miniature Poodle, and both those breeds are on the at-risk list. He was eventually diagnosed with Type I IVDD – a sudden disc extrusion that caused moderate spinal cord compression. With strict rest and medical management, he made a full recovery. But it took time, and the right diagnosis.
🐶 Breeds Commonly Prone to IVDD (especially Type I):
- Dachshund (by far the most commonly affected)
- Beagle
- Basset Hound
- Shih Tzu
- Cocker Spaniel
- Miniature & Toy Poodle
- Lhasa Apso
- Pekingese
- French Bulldog
- English Bulldog
- Corgi
- Havanese
- Maltese
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Chihuahua
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
💬 Important note: Even if your dog isn’t purebred, a mix of two or more at-risk breeds (like Coco) can still carry that genetic susceptibility – and it’s not always something a vet will immediately recognise unless IVDD is already on their radar.
🔍 Possible Signs of IVDD
Symptoms of IVDD can range from subtle to severe, and they often depend on where the disc is located and how badly it’s pressing on the spinal cord.
Some dogs may cry out in pain. Others show only vague signs of discomfort – or none at all until things get worse.
Here are some of the more common signs to look out for:
🚩 General symptoms to watch for:
- Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or go for walks
(Coco actually wanted to move at first – this isn’t always present right away) - Trembling or shaking
(Coco showed this early on) - Yelping or vocalising when touched or picked up
(This happened a few times with Coco, but not consistently – which made it easier for vets to dismiss) - Stiff posture or unusual sitting/standing positions
- Arched back
- Holding neck low or stiff
- Sitting with tense body or awkward angle
(Coco’s posture was noticeably hunched, and his neck was very stiff – this was mentioned to the vet)
- Wobbly or weak back legs
(This didn’t appear in Coco until after two weeks of treatment for the wrong condition – highlighting how important early rest is) - Restlessness or difficulty getting comfortable
(A very strong sign in Coco’s case – he paced constantly and struggled to settle) - Loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases)
(This happened in Coco’s case after things had already worsened)
🐾 Every Dog is Different
In Coco’s case, he was stiff and hunched, pacing restlessly, and clearly uncomfortable – but his pain was misinterpreted as abdominal discomfort, and he was treated for pancreatitis instead of spinal injury.
❗ One major red flag that was missed: Coco had no vomiting, no diarrhoea, and a good appetite. These are usually present in pancreatitis – but not in IVDD.
💡 Why This Matters
Some dogs suffer in silence, or their symptoms are mistaken for something else – especially when the pain is vague or inconsistent. That’s why any suspicion of spinal pain should always be treated seriously.
Dodgerslist (a leading IVDD resource) recommends that strict rest be advised immediately if a spinal problem is suspected – even before imaging – to prevent worsening.
🛏️ Crate Rest Can Be Critical
This is one of the most important lessons we’ve learned from Coco’s experience – and it’s something that organisations like Dodgerslist strongly recommend:
🛑 If IVDD is even suspected, restrict your dog’s movement immediately.
That means:
- No jumping (on or off furniture)
- No stairs
- No long walks or active play
- Confine to a crate or small, padded space until you can get a proper diagnosis
Even if you’re not 100% sure – it’s safer to treat it as spinal pain than to risk further injury.
Coco’s Story: A Hard Lesson
In Coco’s case, we were never told to restrict his movement.
He wasn’t interested in walks, but he was still jumping on and off the sofa and pacing around because he was uncomfortable.
And every jump?
It was making his spinal cord injury worse.
Because the pain was misdiagnosed as something abdominal, we lost two weeks – and by the time IVDD was finally diagnosed, Coco’s back legs had started to weaken and he lost bladder control.
Had he been on crate rest from the beginning, it’s very likely things wouldn’t have gotten that far.
📦 When in Doubt, Crate it Out
Here’s a simple rule of thumb:
| ❓ Is your dog showing any signs of pain, trembling, stiffness, or wobbliness – even if you’re not sure why? |
|---|
| 🛏️ Rest first. Ask questions second. |
| A short delay for imaging is better than a long recovery from nerve damage. |
But crate rest alone isn’t enough.
👉 Always seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
Let your vet know your concerns and that you’re worried it might be spinal – and go in armed with information.
Resources like Dodgerslist can help you feel more confident asking about IVDD and advocating for your dog if needed.
In our case, crate rest might have changed everything – but so might an earlier, accurate diagnosis.
🧭 Resources We Trust
(because IVDD is confusing, and the right info matters)
When Coco was at his worst, we were scared, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. These are the resources that stood out as genuinely helpful – clear, compassionate, and grounded in experience:
🐾 The Rehab Vet
therehabvet.com
This was one of our first lifelines. Dr Marianne Dorn’s site is full of insight on managing pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting recovery – especially through conservative treatment. It helped us make sense of things when we felt totally lost.
📚 Dodgerslist
dodgerslist.com
We didn’t discover Dodgerslist until after Coco’s recovery – but we wish we’d found it sooner. It’s a goldmine of trustworthy information about IVDD: symptoms, stages, treatment options (conservative and surgical), and recovery stories. They also advocate for immediate rest at the first signs of spinal pain – something we sadly weren’t told in time.
🐕🦺 Canine Arthritis Management (CAM)
caninearthritis.co.uk
While CAM’s focus is arthritis, it’s also a fantastic source of advice about chronic pain, mobility issues, and environmental management – which is hugely relevant for dogs recovering from spinal injuries too.
We’re not affiliated with any of these sites – just really grateful they exist.
They helped us feel less alone, and more informed.
And when it comes to something like IVDD, knowledge can change the outcome.
🛠️ How We Manage Coco’s IVDD Now
(practical tools, daily habits, and what we’ve learned to look out for)
Coco’s IVDD diagnosis changed how we do things – not just during his recovery, but every single day since. He’s back to his happy, sassy self now, but we stay mindful and proactive to help protect his spine and keep him comfortable.
Here’s what works for us:
🦮 Harnesses, Not Collars
We always use a harness on walks to avoid any strain on his neck or spine.
🚫 Stair & Jump Safety
- We use a dog gate at the stairs so he can’t dash up or down.
- He has ramps or step stools to access the sofa and bed – no more jumping!
- Luckily, our garden is flat, so outdoor time is gentle on his body too.
🧘♂️ Slowing Things Down
He’s naturally a little more cautious now, but if there’s play (especially with Sylvie!) or any kind of bump or crash – like the infamous eggy incident – we monitor him closely for signs of a flare-up.
💊 Managing Flares Quickly
Coco has had a few minor flare-ups since his big recovery – sometimes after a bump, a jolt, or one of Sylvie’s turbo-charged Eggy rampages (yep, that incident made our Top 10 Things Coco Is Scared Of)… and sometimes, for no clear reason at all.
When that happens:
- We put him on strict rest immediately – confined space, limited movement, cosy bedding.
- We give Loxicom (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescribed by our vet) to relieve pain and inflammation.
- With quick action and care, he’s always recovered within a couple of weeks, with his comfort well-managed and his sass intact.
And yes – Coco still watches Sylvie and Eggy like they’re plotting something.
🩺 New Vet, Ongoing Care
We’ve since moved to a small, independent local vet for Coco’s checkups and ongoing support. We feel more heard and respected now – and that’s made a world of difference.
Every IVDD journey is different. But we’ve learned that with the right support, strict rest during flare-ups, and a few home adjustments, life after IVDD can be full of comfort and joy.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Coco’s story shows just how easily spinal pain can be mistaken for something else – and how quickly things can escalate without the right advice.
We believe these cases shouldn’t be swept under the rug. They should be learned from.
Vets need to communicate the importance of precautionary rest when IVDD is even suspected. And pet owners need to feel empowered to ask questions, push for answers, and trust their instincts.
Because your dog can’t explain what hurts –
but you can still be their voice.
❗This page is not a substitute for veterinary care.
If your dog is in pain or showing signs like those listed above, please seek veterinary advice immediately – and limit their movement right away while you do.
💚 Coco’s journey shows that with rest, the right care, and a lot of love, recovery can and does happen.