Yesterday, your dog was walking normally. Today, their back legs are wobbling—or they cannot get up. Does this mean they need spinal surgery?

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Seeing your dog struggle to move is frightening. Even smaller changes, such as crying when picked up, refusing stairs or dragging their toenails, can leave you wondering whether they have strained a muscle or developed something more serious.

Intervertebral disc disease, commonly called IVDD, is one possible cause. Some dogs improve with carefully supervised rest and medication. Others need surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

Spinal surgery is often recommended when a dog cannot walk, has worsening weakness, or experiences severe or recurring pain despite appropriate treatment. The decision depends on a neurological examination, imaging findings and the extent of spinal cord injury.

If your dog suddenly cannot stand, drags their legs or loses normal bladder function, seek urgent veterinary care. Do not wait to see whether sleep or pain medicine helps.

What Is IVDD in Dogs?

Between most of the bones in your dog’s spine are discs that act as cushions, allowing movement and absorbing everyday forces.

With IVDD, these discs undergo changes that make them less resilient. A damaged disc may bulge or rupture, allowing material to press against the spinal cord or nearby nerves.

You may hear this described as a slipped disc, herniated disc or ruptured disc. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, the underlying changes can differ.

The result may be neck or back pain, weakness, loss of coordination or paralysis. Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the injury.

Which Dogs Can Develop IVDD?

Any dog can develop a spinal disc problem. However, certain breeds are more predisposed, including Dachshunds, Beagles, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos and some Poodles.

Larger breeds, including German Shepherds, can also be affected. IVDD is not limited to elderly dogs; predisposed breeds may develop signs in young adulthood.

What Are the Early Signs of IVDD?

A dog does not have to be paralysed to have a significant spinal problem. Pain may be the first noticeable sign.

Watch for:

• Crying when lifted or touched.
• A hunched back or stiff neck.
• Reluctance to walk, climb stairs or jump.
• Difficulty lowering the head towards a food bowl.
• Wobbling, stumbling or crossing the back legs.
• Scuffing toenails or walking on the top of a paw.
• Weakness or dragging one or more limbs.

These signs can have other causes, including injuries, infections and other neurological conditions. A veterinary examination is necessary to identify the problem.

When Is Spinal Surgery Needed for IVDD?

The key question is not simply whether a disc looks abnormal. It is how the disc problem is affecting your dog and whether the spinal cord is under pressure.

Your dog’s condition	How treatment may be approached
Pain with normal walking and mild, stable findings	Strict activity restriction and medication may be appropriate
Walking but increasingly weak or uncoordinated	Prompt reassessment and discussion of imaging and surgery
Unable to walk without support	Urgent surgical assessment is commonly recommended
Paralysis or suspected loss of deep pain perception	Emergency assessment and discussion of prognosis and treatment
Persistent or repeated pain despite treatment	Further imaging and possible surgery

This table is a guide, not a diagnosis. Dogs with similar outward symptoms may have different injuries and treatment needs.

1. Your Dog Can No Longer Walk

Losing the ability to walk indicates more significant neurological impairment. When imaging confirms a compressive disc herniation, surgery is often recommended to remove the material pressing on the spinal cord.

Prompt assessment matters because a dog’s condition can deteriorate.

2. Weakness Is Getting Worse

A dog that was walking unsteadily but is now falling, dragging their feet or struggling to stand needs urgent reassessment.

Do not continue the original treatment plan without contacting the vet simply because medication has already been prescribed.

3. Pain Remains Severe or Keeps Returning

Surgery may also be considered for dogs that can still walk but have persistent pain or repeated episodes despite appropriate medical management.

Neck disc problems, for example, can cause substantial pain even when limb movement appears relatively normal.

4. Deep Pain Perception Is Lost

Deep pain perception is a conscious response to a painful stimulus. Its loss suggests severe spinal cord injury and affects the outlook for recovery.

Only a veterinary professional should assess this. A leg pulling away can be a reflex and does not necessarily mean conscious sensation is present. Do not pinch your dog’s toes to test it yourself.

Loss of deep pain makes the situation particularly urgent, but it does not automatically mean recovery is impossible.

Can IVDD Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes. Medical management can be suitable for selected dogs with mild, stable signs, particularly when they remain able to walk.

Treatment usually involves prescribed pain relief and strict activity restriction for several weeks, often around four to six weeks, according to the treating vet’s instructions.

This generally means:

• No running, jumping or playing.
• No unrestricted access to stairs or furniture.
• Confinement to an appropriately sized crate or small area.
• Brief, controlled toilet trips as directed.
• Monitoring for increased pain or weakness.

A dog feeling better after medication does not mean the disc has healed. Allowing normal activity too soon can undermine recovery.

Medical treatment also needs a clear follow-up plan: when to return, what improvement to expect and which changes require immediate reassessment.

How Is IVDD Diagnosed Before Surgery?

The vet begins with a physical and neurological examination. This helps identify which part of the nervous system may be affected and how much function remains.

Are X-Rays Enough?

X-rays can show changes in bones or disc spaces and help investigate other problems. However, X-rays alone cannot reliably show the spinal cord compression needed to plan many IVDD operations.

Why Might MRI or CT Be Recommended?

Advanced imaging helps locate the affected disc, assess compression and investigate other causes of neurological signs.

MRI is particularly useful for examining the spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues. CT may be appropriate in selected cases. The veterinary team will recommend imaging based on the suspected injury and available facilities.

Blood tests and other checks may also be needed to assess overall health before anesthesia.

What Happens During IVDD Surgery?

The main goal is to remove compressive disc material and give the spinal cord an opportunity to recover.

The approach depends on the affected area. A hemilaminectomy is commonly used for certain back disc herniations, while a ventral slot may be used for selected neck disc problems.

Surgery relieves pressure; it cannot instantly reverse damage that has already occurred. Recovery depends partly on the severity of the original spinal cord injury.

Will My Dog Walk Again After Surgery?

Many dogs regain useful mobility, but there is no single recovery rate that applies to every case.

Important factors include:

• Whether the dog could walk before surgery.
• Whether deep pain perception remains present.
• The severity and location of the injury.
• How signs have progressed.
• Complications and response to postoperative care.

Dogs with retained sensation generally have a better outlook than those with more severe injury. Ask the surgeon for a prognosis based on your dog’s examination and imaging rather than a general online percentage.

What Does Recovery Involve?

Recovery often takes weeks to months. Some dogs improve quickly, while others need prolonged nursing support.

Your dog’s care plan may include:

• Restricted activity and prescribed medication.
• Comfortable bedding and help changing position.
• Support for safe toileting.
• Bladder care if normal urination is affected.
• Wound checks and scheduled reassessments.
• Rehabilitation introduced at an appropriate stage.

If bladder expression is necessary, the veterinary team should demonstrate it. Wet bedding or urine leakage does not always mean the bladder is emptying properly.

Do not begin stretching, swimming or home physiotherapy without approval. Rehabilitation should match the injury and stage of healing.

What Should You Do If You Suspect IVDD?

Stop activity and contact a vet. Keep your dog calm and prevent stairs, jumping and unnecessary walking.

During transport, minimise twisting and support the body. Ask the clinic how to move a large dog or one that cannot stand safely.

Avoid massage, forceful stretching and human painkillers. Tell the vet when the signs began and whether walking or urination has changed.

For pet parents in Hyderabad, contacting Mr. Vet Hospitals can help you arrange an assessment and discuss the appropriate next steps, including further imaging or specialist referral where needed.

The Next Step Depends on Your Dog’s Symptoms

Back pain deserves attention. Weakness, dragging limbs or sudden inability to walk makes assessment urgent.

If your dog is showing possible IVDD symptoms, contact Mr. Vet Hospitals for guidance. Early examination can help establish whether medical management is appropriate or whether your dog needs urgent surgical evaluation.

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