These discs are located in-between each of the vertebra in the spine of mammals. They are very watery in consistency. They function as pillows – shock absorbers – for the spine, allowing the mammal’s back to flex.

When a dog has IVDD type 1 (IVDD-1), over time, the discs dry out and are more or less replaced with cartilage and their ability to function correctly is therefore decreased. It has been demonstrated for years that IVDD-1 shows up reliably in certain families of dachshunds, and over three years ago, at least one generic basic was found for the disorder.

Interestingly, researchers also discovered that IVDD-1 does NOT seem to be directly related to what causes the type of dwarfism seen in dachshunds, bassets hound, corgis, and a number of other breeds, called hypochondroplasia. This is great news because it does NOT mean all dogs with short legs and long bodies are affected with IVDD-1 – in fact most aren’t. Dachshunds unfortunately, just happen to account for the majority of dogs with the genetic condition.