Individual care · Veterinary consent
IVDD
Intervertebral disc disease, where disc material presses on the spinal cord.
What it is
Intervertebral disc disease occurs when one of the cushioning discs between the vertebrae bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord. It is particularly associated with long-backed breeds such as dachshunds, but it is not limited to them. Because the spinal cord is involved, it ranges from painful to genuinely serious.
What you might notice
- Obvious pain, yelping, or reluctance to be picked up
- A hunched or arched back, and tense abdominal muscles
- Unwillingness to jump, use stairs, or move at all
- Wobbliness, scuffing the toes, or crossing the hind legs
- Weakness, dragging a limb, or loss of use of the back legs
These are things owners commonly describe. They are not a diagnosis, and several of them overlap with other conditions — only your vet can tell you what is actually going on.
How massage may help
Once your dog is stable and your vet has confirmed that massage is appropriate, work focuses on the muscles that have been bracing. Dogs with disc pain hold themselves rigid to protect the spine, and that guarding is exhausting and sore in itself. Shanice works with the surrounding musculature and the compensating limbs, never over an acute or unstable area, and always within what your vet has advised.
Speak to your vet first
Sudden weakness, wobbliness or loss of use of the back legs is a veterinary emergency. Please contact your vet immediately rather than arranging massage.
Talk to Shanice about your dog
A diagnosis is only one part of the story. Two dogs with the same condition can need quite different care, depending on their age, temperament, routine and what they love doing. Share your dog’s veterinary history when you enquire and Shanice will talk through whether massage is appropriate for them.
Treatment complements your dog’s veterinary care, takes place in your own home, and requires signed veterinary consent.
Enquire about a session