Conservative Care of Intervertebral Disc disease (IVDD) in Dogs

Introduction to iVDD in Dogs

Most dogs that show signs of spinal cord disease have intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), often called a ruptured disc or a slipped disc. Because slipped discs are so common in dogs, veterinarians often suspect IVDD as the cause of a dog’s spinal pain or weakness unless testing suggests otherwise. A definitive diagnosis requires an MRI, but not every dog with mild spinal signs needs advanced imaging.

For dogs with mild symptoms, or when advanced testing and surgery aren’t an option, Remedy may recommend conservative treatment for IVDD, using strict rest (crate rest) and medication.

What Conservative Management Means

Conservative management uses strict rest and medications to support healing. Rest is the hardest part for most families, but it’s also the most important.

Why Strict Rest Matters

A spinal disc is a cushion between the bones of the spine. It helps the spine stay flexible and acts as a shock absorber.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs

With a slipped disc, a small tear forms in the disc, and the inner “jelly” can push out. That disc material can place pressure on the spinal cord, leading to pain and sometimes weakness.

Strict rest protects the injury while the tear heals, so more disc material is less likely to push out and worsen symptoms.

How to Rest Your Dog With IVDD

The single most important part of conservative treatment for IVDD in dogs is strict crate rest. Crate rest means confining your dog to a crate, exercise pen, or small room (such as a laundry room) that’s just large enough for them to stand comfortably and turn around. Your dog shouldn’t have access to furniture. The goal is a controlled recovery space with room for a bed and a bowl of water.

IVDD Recovery Crate Size

As a general guide, the rest area is often:

  • Small dogs: about 3 by 4 feet

  • Large dogs: about 4 by 5 feet

The enclosure should also be tall enough for your dog to stand up and turn around comfortably.

Potty Breaks & Leash Walks

Your dog should stay in the recovery space at all times except for three short 10-minute leash walks per day for bathroom breaks.

If your dog has neck pain, use a harness rather than a neck collar, and attach the leash to the harness for all walks.

Safe Handling at Home

If your dog is small enough, you may hold them while you’re quietly reading or watching TV, but only if you maintain direct physical control the entire time. If you need to stand up, even briefly, place your dog back in the crate first.

If you have a larger dog, you may be able to use a harness to tether them to a heavy piece of furniture so you can maintain control if something unexpected happens, such as someone coming to the door. Dogs shouldn’t sleep in bed with you and shouldn’t be on furniture unsupervised. Many dogs worsen after jumping off a couch or bed, and it only takes a split second.

How Long Is Crate Rest for IVDD in Dogs?

Full recovery for a presumed slipped disc takes a minimum of four weeks of strict rest, followed by a gradual return to activity. It’s important to complete the full plan even if your dog seems better sooner. Stopping too early is a common cause of relapse.

Recovery Crates & Playpens for IVDD Surgery Recovery

An indoor dog playpen (exercise pen) helps limit movement during IVDD recovery while giving your dog a safe, calm space to rest. It can also help prevent jumping on furniture or sudden bursts of activity during healing.

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A rolling travel kennel can make it easier to keep your dog safely contained during IVDD recovery, especially when you need to move them from room to room. A secure crate helps limit sudden movement and supports a calm rest routine.

IVDD Medications for Dogs

During conservative treatment for IVDD in dogs, veterinarians often prescribe a combination of anti-inflammatories, pain medications, muscle relaxers, and sedatives to keep dogs comfortable and calm during recovery. Medications can help with pain and make strict rest easier, but they don’t fix the underlying disc problem. Strict crate rest and time are what allow healing.

Common medication categories may include:

Emergency Signs in Dogs With IVDD

Conservative management isn’t the right fit for every dog with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Even with strict rest and medication, some dogs may need additional treatment, including surgery.

Seek emergency veterinary care right away if your dog has any of the following IVDD emergency signs:

  1. Moderate to severe pain despite medication

  2. Unable to stand or walk, even for a step

  3. No urination for more than 24 hours

If your dog isn’t improving over several weeks, or if you notice worsening symptoms at any point, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Conservative Treatment for IVDD in Dogs FAQs

  • Conservative treatment for IVDD uses strict crate rest and medication. Medications help with comfort and calm, but rest and time support healing.

  • A presumed slipped disc requires a minimum of four weeks of strict rest, followed by a gradual return to activity. Ending rest early is a common cause of relapse.

  • Strict crate rest means confinement in a crate, exercise pen, or small room that’s only large enough to stand and turn around comfortably, with no access to furniture.

  • As a general guide, the rest area is often about 3-by-4 feet for small dogs and 4-by-5 feet for large dogs, with enough height to stand and turn around comfortably.

  • Yes, but only for bathroom breaks: three short 10-minute leash walks per day.

  • If a dog has neck pain, use a harness instead of a neck collar, and attach the leash to the harness for walks.

  • Veterinarians may prescribe anti-inflammatories, pain medications, muscle relaxers, and sedatives. Examples listed on this page include prednisone/NSAIDs, gabapentin/tramadol/amantadine, methocarbamol, trazodone, and acepromazine.

  • Medications can help reduce pain and support rest, but they don’t fix the underlying disc problem. Rest and time are essential for healing.

  • Seek emergency veterinary care if there’s moderate to severe pain despite medication, inability to stand or walk even for a step, or no urination for over 24 hours.

  • If there’s no improvement over several weeks, or symptoms worsen at any point, contact your veterinarian. Some dogs need additional treatment, including surgery.

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