08/12/2026
Here's something that catches a lot of dog owners completely off guard: your dog can go from "a little stiff this morning" to "can't feel their back legs" in a matter of hours.
That's what IVDD does. Intervertebral disc disease. It happens when one of the cushioning discs between your dog's vertebrae ruptures or bulges, and suddenly the spinal cord is under pressure. The nerve signals that tell the legs to move, the bladder to hold, the paws to feel the ground? They start cutting out. Fast.
Here's what to watch for:
π΄ Crying out when you touch their back or pick them up
π΄ Suddenly refusing to jump, use the stairs, or play
π΄ Stumbling, wobbling, or dragging a back leg
π΄ Loss of bladder or bowel control
That last two? Those are emergency symptoms. Don't Google it. Don't wait until Monday. Call us.
The breeds most commonly affected: Dachshunds (by far the highest risk), French Bulldogs, Corgis, Beagles, Shih Tzus. If that's your dog, save this post right now.
We have MRI, CT, and spinal surgery available around the clock. Time matters with spinal injuries. If your dog is showing neurological signs today, that's a today problem.
π (631) 517-1773 Β· Open 24/7 Β· No referral needed