IVDD in dogs: recovery and rehab

By The Animal Physio Co 7 October 2026 6 min read

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is one of the most common reasons dogs suddenly become weak or wobbly in the back legs, and it can happen in an instant. If you have a dachshund or a French bulldog, it's worth knowing the signs. The encouraging news is that many dogs recover well, and specialist guidelines now recommend rehabilitation as a standard part of their care.

What IVDD is

The discs between the bones of the spine act as shock absorbers. In some breeds they age early and harden, and a disc can suddenly bulge or burst into the spinal canal, pressing on the spinal cord. Depending on how much pressure there is, the result can range from back pain to complete paralysis of the back legs.¹

Which dogs are at risk

• Dachshunds. In Swedish insurance data covering more than 665,000 dogs, about 0.3% of all dogs were affected each year, but miniature dachshunds had the highest rate, at about 2.4% a year.⁷ In a UK survey of 2,031 dachshunds, 15.7% had been affected, rising to 24.4% of standard smooth-haired dachshunds.³
• French bulldogs. In a study of over 43,000 dogs in the US, French bulldogs had the highest odds of IVDD of any pure breed,⁴ and disc disease accounted for almost half of all the neurological problems diagnosed in French bulldogs at one referral centre.⁸
• Body shape and weight. A longer back relative to height, smaller size and being overweight all raised the risk. The researchers concluded that "maintaining a lean body shape is particularly important".⁶

Signs to look for

• Back or neck pain, sometimes with a hunched or arched back and a reluctance to move^1,9
• Neck stiffness and muscle spasms, if the problem is in the neck⁹
• A wobbly, "drunken sailor" walk in the back legs, with the back feet often crossing¹
• Weakness or paralysis of the back legs, or of all four legs if the neck is affected^1,9
• Not being able to pass urine, or loss of bladder control^1,9

If you notice any of these, call your vet straight away.

Treatment: what to expect

Your vet will grade how badly the spinal cord is affected, which guides treatment.²

• Dogs with pain only, still walking, can often be managed without surgery: strict rest for at least four weeks (no off-lead walks, no jumping on or off furniture and no stairs), pain relief and basic rehab exercises. The condition can come back, so your vet will talk you through the risk.²
• Dogs that can't walk or are paralysed are usually recommended surgery, as early as possible. The consensus also notes that surgery "should not be declined simply because the dog has been paralyzed for an extended period".²

Specialist guidelines published in 2022 pooled results from many studies:²

Even in the most severe cases, around half to six in ten dogs walk again after surgery.^2,10

How rehab helps recovery

The 2022 consensus statement from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine is clear that rehab is part of standard care:²

• Basic rehab exercises should be "standard components of routine postoperative care in all dogs regardless of severity".
• Rehab "can be initiated safely as soon as 24 hours postoperatively" without increasing pain or setting back recovery.^2,11
• A basic programme includes cold therapy, gentle movement of the joints (passive range of motion), massage, and assisted standing and walking.
• "Activity restriction does not mean avoidance of rehabilitation exercises."
• For dogs managed without surgery, basic rehab exercises are recommended alongside at least four weeks of restricted activity, followed by a gradual increase in activity.

The research behind rehab is encouraging:

• In 40 dachshunds treated with rehabilitation instead of surgery, 85% were back to being functional pets by 12 weeks. Every dog that could still move its legs did well, and the condition came back in only 5% within a year.¹²
• In a large study of dogs given intensive neurorehabilitation after surgery, 99% of dogs that still had pain sensation walked again, as did 59% of those that had lost it.¹³
• Adding laser therapy to rehab after surgery improved dogs' neurological recovery in a trial of 24 dogs.¹⁴
• Dachshunds in a 12-week rehab programme after surgery lost weight and body fat while gaining muscle.¹⁵

Bladder care matters too. Dogs that can't walk often can't empty their bladder properly at first, which raises the risk of infection, so your vet will show you how to manage this until your dog's bladder control returns.²

Helping prevent it coming back

• Keep your dog lean. Overweight dogs were more likely to have IVDD.^4,6
• Stay active. Dogs that got more daily exercise had lower odds of IVDD.⁴
• Use a harness rather than a neck collar and help your dog lose weight if needed, as the American College of Veterinary Surgeons suggests after disc surgery.¹
• During recovery, block stairs and stop jumping on and off furniture, as your vet and physio advise.²

How we help

We come to your home, which means no car journeys for a dog with a sore back. We can:

• Assess your dog's strength, coordination and walking
• Start the consensus-recommended basics: cold therapy, passive range of motion, massage, and assisted standing and walking
• Progress to balance and strengthening exercises as your dog improves
• Add laser therapy where it's likely to help
• Teach you a home programme, and help you set up your home with non-slip flooring, gates and the right harness or sling
• Build a long-term conditioning and weight plan to help protect the spine

We work alongside your vet and neurologist. If your dog is recovering from IVDD, or you'd like to protect an at-risk breed, book an assessment. You can also read more about our neurological rehabilitation.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Speak to your vet before starting any supplement or treatment, and ask a qualified animal physiotherapist to assess your animal individually.