Attention owners currently undergoing CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT, here are a few tips and links to give you a little leg up during your journey.

First, it is important to remember that each dog is different, and so is each herniation, and you and your professional provider are responsible for your dog’s treatment.

When humans sprain or injure their joints the rule of thumb is RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate). With dogs it’s not possible to do this; so instead, we restrict their movement as much as possible, administer anti-inflammatories and pain relief so that the damaged discs can regenerate and heal. This is paired with crate/pen/restricted rest and qualified allied services (physiotherapy, acupuncture, laser) plus complimentary treatments (supplements, diet, Bowen Therapy etc).

Please also understand that conservative treatment of IVDD is pretty straightforward commonsense stuff and not complicated at all; the most difficult aspect for the human owners is finding PATIENCE.

Improvements with non-surgical treatment tend to happen over weeks to months of care, and you will need to help your dog through this time. As a guide, dogs who have a suspected IVDD episode and have no neurological involvement (eg mild to moderate pain) should be restrict-rested 5 to 6 weeks. Dogs who have any level of neurological involvement (eg paralysis) should be confined & rested for AT LEAST 8 WEEKS to achieve premium healing potential. Not 10 days, not 2 to 3 weeks. A confinement period that short is a recipe for another, worse episode. https://www.ivdd.org.au/5-stages-of-ivddd/

KEY POINTS WHEN CONSERVATIVELY TREATING

1. Find a great vet/allied service provider to work alongside you.

2. Understand what is required with restricted rest and timelines and why these must be adhered to even when your Dachshund convinces you otherwise!

3. Leaving your dog in a cage 24/7 is no longer considered best practice. Trips out in a dog stroller provide important mental stimulation for recovering patients, just make sure the stroller has adequate suspension, avoid bumps and jolting and take it slowly.

4. Consider the benefit of supplements, diet and “healing from the inside out”.

5. Lots of patience

Make sure you check out these links on our website for verified information on crate rest, physiotherapy & IVDD management techniques, research topics and much more.

https://www.ivdd.org.au/ivdd-support-resources/

https://www.ivdd.org.au/helpful-links-research/

We truly understand that IVDD is the wurst but as always we’ve got your back