IVDD: What dachshund owners need to know

This last year has been overwhelming for Alberta Dachshund Rescue with the number of dachshunds that have been surrendered with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Of the almost 30 dachshunds surrendered so far in 2022, eight have had IVDD. That is almost one third of the dogs surrendered! 

​All dachshund owners need to be aware of this potentially debilitating disease before they buy or adopt a dog, how to look after a dog with IVDD, and how to help prevent it in the first place.

​WHAT IS IVDD?
IVDD (or intervertebral disc disease) is an inherited back-related illness that impacts about one in four dachshunds. This is because dachshunds’ elongated bodies come with a special spine; this breed basically has discs between all its vertebrae along its long back that act as cushions.

​The discs are thick plate- or disc-like cushions which lie between the bony vertebrae in the spine. They are composed of a fibrous outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a pulpy, gelatinous center called the nucleus pulpusos. The discs help to cushion the spine as your dog walks, trots, runs, twists, and jumps. 
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Photo from Dodgerslist

IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst (herniate) into the spinal cord space. These discs then press on the nerves running through the spinal cord causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
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IVDD is NOT A DEATH SENTENCE
When a dog gets IVDD, it can be terrifying for the owner. Treatment includes an immediate trip to a knowledgeable vet for an assessment and medication. Depending on the severity of IVDD for each dog, conservative care (crate rest with limited movement) or surgery may be recommended. Many dogs with IVDD may require bladder expression until their back can heal. It can be a lot of work, but you don’t have to put your dachshund companion down or surrender them to ADR. You can support your dog through this!!!

HOW TO HELP PREVENT IVDD
The hereditary IVDD factor in dachshunds is not a guarantee – it only signals a predisposition for the dog to develop IVDD. What actually “unlocks” the condition is either a direct and severe physical trauma or continuous physical stress over the dog’s back. We all know dachshunds often have a mind of their own and push to get their own way. Superman style leaps off of couches when someone rings the doorbell are challenging to put an end to. No one is saying owners are to blame, but there are things that you can do to help prevent your dog from getting IVDD: 

• Keep your dachshund slim
• Reduce high impact activities
• Crate your dachshund
• Walk your dachshund with a harness
• Be careful when handling your dachshund

​Let's start by looking at how you can:

KEEP YOUR DACHSHUND SLIM!
The most important step to lowering the risk of IVDD is to prevent your dachshund from becoming obese or overweight.
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Obesity increases the load on various systems making fat dogs more prone to IVDD, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, heat stress, diabetes, and liver disease. (Yikes.) Surgery takes longer to work through layers of fat, and obesity complicates drug therapy, anesthesia, and recovery from disc injury. The accepted definition of obese is weighing 30 percent or more than ideal body weight. (As you are reading this, is your dachshund staring at you with a pair of begging eyes trying to lure you to the treat jar or fridge???)

Unfortunately, the poster dog for canine obesity was arguably Obie the dachshund. Overfed by indulgent elderly owners, the 7-year-old standard-sized smooth dachshund weighed a whopping 77 pounds (34.9 kg) when he became a national news item in 2012. Looking like a helium-pumped walrus, Obie was so fat he needed a sling to prevent his huge stomach from dragging on the ground. Over the course of a year, Obie’s new owner, certified veterinary technician Nora Vanatta of Portand, Oregon, kept up with a diet and exercise regimen that helped Obie lose so much weight – 50 pounds – that he needed a tummy tuck to tighten up his over-stretched skin.

You don’t want your dachshund to become another Obie!!! Nor do you want your dachshund to be more prone to IVDD. As well, dogs who are even moderately overweight tend to have a life expectancy that is roughly two years less than their slimmer counterparts. The first step to solving a dog with an obesity problem is recognizing that it exists in the first place.

Some tips to help your dog keep his weight down:

• Adjust the feeding schedule - Feeding your dog smaller meals on a more frequent basis may help encourage fat loss 
• Choose low-calorie treats - Dogs often enjoy fruits and vegetables as snacks, carrot slices, apples, and bananas are safe and tasty treats
• Keep track - Try keeping your dog on a schedule with specific amounts of food, or keep a food diary for your pet to see where extra calories may be coming in.

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LEARN MORE:

Alberta Dachshund Rescue - Local Resources for IVDD
https://www.albertadachshundrescue.com/ivdd.html

Dodgerslist: Everything You Need to Know About IVDD
https://dodgerslist.com

Keeping Your Dog Thin is a Life Saver
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/keeping-your-dog-thin-is-a-lifesaver

Overweight? Many Owners Have Difficulty Seeing Obesity in Their Own Dog
https://dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Overweight-solutions.pdf

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HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT ADR

• Learn more about IVDD. Make sure you are aware of this potentially debilitating disease before you buy or adopt a dachshund, how to look after your dog with IVDD, and how to help prevent it in the first place. 
• Foster a dog with IVDD. Not a single one of the dogs that has come in with IVDD has been put down. However, we sometimes scramble to find a foster home willing to take in a dachshund with back problems. If you are willing to foster a dog with IVDD, please fill out an Application to Foster and indicate on the form that you would be willing to take a dog with IVDD.
• Meet Valerie and Jade. ADR has a new page on the website where you can read about some of the dogs with extensive medical needs and donate specifically for their care. Alternatively, please consider donating directly to ADR.
• Fundraisers and special events. Learn about ADR's fundraisers and special events. Our volunteers work hard to continue to raise awareness and support for the work that ADR does.