Did you know that the intervertebral discs sit between the vertebrae (bones) and act as shock absorbers? The vertebral spine is made up of 7 vertebrae in the cervical neck region, 13 in the middle thoracic section and another 7 in the lower lumbar back region. In between all those are the intervertebral discs.
IVDD can occur in all areas of the vertebral column and whilst we most commonly see it occurring in the thoracic and lower lumbar region many dachshunds also suffer in the cervical (neck) region.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way and thankfully IVDD is no longer a death sentence for affected dogs. Treatment options range from rest and conservative management to surgical intervention. The exact therapeutic protocol will vary depending upon the severity of the disease.
© 2017 Dachshund IVDD Support Australia Inc
