What is Dog Intervertebral Disc Disease(IVDD)?

Humans and K9’s alike experience this same problem as a normal age related change. Sometimes this process is accelerated by an injury. Not all old dogs and people will have back pain.

IVDD occurs when the intervertebral disc becomes dehydrated and looses ability to stiffen and accept load. The disc is like a jelly donut, the outside portion is a firm lattice material , while the inner disc is like jelly more fluid like structure. The disc hydrates and dehydrates on a daily basis with load and this in normal. When a disc ages it flattens out as if the jelly donut has been sitting on the counter for a week. The stiff donut/disc is unable to rehydrate and take in more fluid to pump up the disc. Furthermore, the disc jelly material can push out on the outer donut and sometimes leak out a little with an injury (slipped disc). The K9 injury can be as simple as normal play or walking down the stairs. When the jelly leaks out of disc, it is a very irritable substance which causes a big inflammatory response and pain. The leaking jelly doesn’t even need to touch a nerve root to irritate it.

Onset of K9 back pain can occur gradually and if the dog experiences pain, they will be reluctant to move. Discs which are injured acutely can progress from walking normal to paralysis in less than one hour.

The severity of symptoms in a disc injury can vary, with 80% of cases having successful outcomes conservatively. This is great news for dogs as the majority of them can get better with an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Treatment goals: K9 IVDD

1. increase blood flow for healing
2. unload the injured disc segment
3. gentle supervised walking with support frequent but low intensity and duration
4. activity modification
5. muscle strengthening multifidus
6. PROM/AROM of the legs, arms and all joints
7. support spine with bracing if needed

Treatment Goal #1

Increasing blood flow can be done in many ways safely.

1. hot pack
2. massage (general and trigger point therapy) – SEE BELOW
3. acupuncture, trigger point dry needling, acupressure points
4. gentle cyclic motion (easy supported walks, doggie bicycle movements, hydro-therapy exercises)
5. Doggie Bicycle exercise is performed with dog supported on your lap while laying on their back, move legs in a cyclic movement, like riding a bike. attempt for 30 secs 5-6x, gradually increasing time to 1 min
6. Hydro therapy should be done with a floatation device in a controlled small area. Dog will want to move legs and arms to swim, offer them support and frequent rest periods. 1 min intervals 5-6x should be a good start

http://www.luckydoghealth.com/dogacupressurechart.htm

Treatment Goal #2

Unload the injured disc segment.

1. doggie traction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTmuVrFyEhE
2. hydro therapy
3. laying in supported position of comfort
4. doggie extension or flexion exercises

Treatment Goal #3

Gentle supervised walking with support frequent but low intensity and duration

1. walk 3-5x daily briefly 5-10 min spaced throughout the day, as to not let K9 be immobile for prolonged periods
2. Walk K9 on leash, use supportive harness if there is difficulty walking

Treatment Goal #4

Activity modification

1. Do not let dog play, as this includes a lot of rotational movements that can increase back pain
2. Do not let dog jump up/down in car, bed, etc…
3. Do not let them walk up/down stairs without support ie: harness
4. All walks must be on leash
5. use rubber bottomed rugs or rubber booties on laminate or tile floors which are slippery to dog
6. keep dogs nails trimmed

Treatment Goal #5

Stabilization/Muscle strengthening(multifidus & abdominal muscles)

1. recruitment of the core stabilizing muscles in the K9 can be performed by applying a slow and steady rotational hold on the torso with both hands on either side so that the dog will respond by contracting the multifidus muscles to resist the motion. There should not be any rotational movement of the dog and the resistance should be gentle so as to not cause too much muscle activation and pain. The contraction should be held for 5 secs on initial sessions for 5-6 times per side. As dog tolerates exercises increase holding times for 20-30 secs. These should be done daily
2. Rhythmic stabilization exercises are a progression as dog tolerates above resisted exercises. This is accomplished by gently pushing the dog to get muscle activation. 5-6x, no holding time, please make sure there are no abrupt movements or surprise to K9.
3. Directional exercises: you need to go one direction and assess the dog’s status after. Take cookie above head so that dogs back goes into slight extension, repeat 10x. REASSESS K9 or you can move the dog into flexion by lowering cookie in front of head, repeat 10x. REASSESS K9. Usually one direction is more helpful and that is the direction you should do the exercises
4. Postural exercises can be performed by balancing on all 4, 3, or 2 limbs, with voluntary perturbations (reaching for treat side to side) or manual perturbations (applying gentle force to displace). All movements that require increased balance should be practiced ie: backing up, walking in circles, getting up, lying down. Using a treat to gently coax K9 to perform movement

Treatment Goal #6

Passive range of motion (PROM) of the legs, arms and all joints https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFzzx-epOeA

1. This should be done in a position where the dog feels comfortable. You can perform in standing, sitting, laying on side or cradling dog on their back on your lap. Lots of cuddles and scratches to make enjoyable for the dog.
2. All joints should be moved in both flexion and extension movements. Start with one leg and flex hip so leg goes up towards tummy hold for 3 sec gently. repeat 10x on both sides Extend hip so leg is straight and going away from tummy hold 3 sec repeat 10x on both sides. Now do the same sequence at the knee, and ankle. Once you are done with the legs repeat the same process on the shoulder, elbow.
3. After PROM of all joints you can feel for increased blood flow in the feet. Wiggle toes to increase blood flow

Treatment Goal #7

support spine with bracing if needed

L'il Back Bracer

https://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-vertebrave/?fbclid=IwAR3oRwQ5XNjRbJuCNLbz7U3Is-Nxk3x3B1KoldjfzsbxzS9VRNf0sMc2XPQ