IVVD advice

[JoeShmoe99]

My 4 year old cocker spaniel has suddenly gone lame is his back hind leg. From reading and initial consult with the vet they suspect IVVD. He's gone for an X-Ray today. He's always been really lively and athletic, does a lot of walking and running and is super active.
From research and observing him we think he's at stage 2, but heading towards stage 3. Wondering a few things , esp from a UK slant if anyone has been through this:-

1. Is it likely the x-ray will just lead to an MRI scan that we will need to arrange?
2. If and when its diagnosed, can we insist on the surgery route rather than crate rest? And how much will that likely cost? I read that surgery is likely to be more successful and the thought of him being stuck in a crate for 12 weeks, well i cant even think about it. Is it something we can discuss with the vet/neurologist?
3. If (praying) it gets better is there a high likelihood it will be return? is it a degenarative thing or a one off?

Many tks for taking the time to read

I have no experience with IVVD

but with other stuff…

if an MRI is needed then your vet will refer you to wherever does that near you - might be a vet school, be a specialist vet. They basically arrange it all.

You usually get given treatment options, including more conservative ones and you choose which you want, unless there’s a strong reason not to do one particular one.

Surgery will usually mean crate rest as well - but crate rest doesn’t actually mean they have to be in crate, it means they need to be confined and staying still, if you can do that another way you can. I’ve done things like blocked off an area of a room using furniture so a dog could be sat with me instead.

I don't know much about the condition but just be aware that surgery also comes with crate rest. It's very rare that it's one or the other.

We have avoided surgery and when my dog has a flare up we take him to a vet who does acupuncture for back conditions. I looked into surgery thinking it would solve the problem completely but apparently it doesn’t work that way (but I don’t remember why).
You do have to do crate rest but it can also be room rest, where they are in a small room with nothing to jump on and no running. I made a nest of blankets and hung out with my dog so it was down time for both of us.
We avoid stairs and I am thinking of getting a few ramps around the house for the bed and sofas to avoid jumping. Controlled movement is fine, just nothing crazy. It’s also good to work on their core muscles and for them to maintain a healthy weight so the back does less work

If it is IVDD then you vet will almost certainly offer referral for MRI and possible surgery, surgery will require rest afterwards and has risks associated with it.
With a 4 year old cocker lame on a single leg cruciate ligament disease or hip dysplasia would also be on my list of possible causes.

Mine started with this on Saturday, he's on 24/7 crate rest and it's horrific

Just an update - he has got worse and is now both legs so he is going in to hospital tomorrow for an MRI and hopeful they will just do the surgery there and then. Whatever it costs will sort it out later as it’s heartbreaking and my kids are in bits. Not sure whether to laugh or cry when the doorbell goes and he still barks and tries to get up to run to the door and just falls over

. Thank you for all the replies and will let you know how it goes

I do hope he gets better, empathise completely with what you are going through, have you seen the vet, done a scan ?

I hope the surgery if it happened went well. Typically vets refer you to a neurologist/orthopaedic surgeon at a referral hospital who will offer an MRI to see where the IVDD is localised and if they can do conservative care which is weeks of crate rest and medication or the surgical route. Unfortunately, both do require a degree of crate rest - and typically a lot of dogs who experience IVDD when onto the recovery route need physical therapy but the referral will be able to guide you through whether this is a suitable option for your boy. As for costs it really depends on if it’s done at your routine vet practice or if it’s done at a referral hospital, as well as how many procedures/level of hospitalisation need to take place + physio however I’d recommend you ask for estimates throughout the entirety of the process so you’re kept up to date on approximate costs as I know people who have hit the 6-10k mark. I hope all goes well for you

Hi all I am an owner of 2 daschunds one who is now recovering post op surhery on IVVD just wanted some advice on what to do when Ralph ( the one who had had surgery) will not settle in a crate or pen it's more difficult with me having (Milo) who is absolutely fine Ralph cur all his nose trying to escape out of his metal crate so I bought a plastic pen which after being home not more than 48 hours has chewed through that I have asked my vet for advice and they are doubling his anxiety meds today but I feel that won't help much no one understands how strong willed daschunds are unless they know one I have also bought him a calming collar and calming chews both of which have had no effect as yet as I can't let him be with my other boy that is also stressing him out any advice from anyone who us or has gone through a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!!!