
IVDD: what is it.....
Intervertebral Disc Disease
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What are the signs and symptoms of IVDD?
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Wobbling when walking
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Reduced activity level; unwillingness to jump or even stand up
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Weakness or incoordination in the rear legs
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Paralysis; dragging one or both rear legs when walking
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Whimpering or crying, especially when moved or touched
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Muscle spasms and/or stiffness in neck or back
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Arched or hunched back (sign of cervical disc problem)
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Reduced appetite
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Lack of control over urination or defecation (incontinence)
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What are the stages of IVDD?
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Stage 1 Mild pain and usually self-correcting in a few days Early intervention is best
Stage 2 Moderate to severe pain in the neck or low back area
Stage 3 Partial paralysis causing trouble walking and/or uncoordinated movements
Stage 4 Paralysis but with the ability to feel
Stage 5 Paralysis with the loss of all feeling
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Stage 1 Best to notice early, change behaviors, keep quiet, may add in meds
Stages 2-3 may require oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, neurological pain medications, opioids, support supplements, physical therapy, dieting, acupuncture, laser therapy, and other multi-modal treatment options.
There is no linear progression of the disease.
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A dog may quickly progress from Stage 1 to Stage 5 or show signs of a more progressive stage from the beginning without showing any signs of the first stages.
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Why are French Bulldogs prone to this disease process: Most Frenchies have the genes that cause premature degrading, softening and destruction of the discs in their spine, so then with a sudden movement, jerking motion or activity, the disc ruptures and the fluid moves up into the spinal canal, creating pressure on the spine and the visible symptoms of back disease IVDD. This starts to occur at a very young age. This gene mutation was found in 2017 UC Davis Genetics Lab.