IVDD in dogs: Be prepared before you need to be | Mark Lowrie

IVDD in dogs: Be prepared before you need to be | Mark Lowrie

From Petgevity: Pet Health and Longevity Podcast by Petgevity

July 21, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of being prepared for health emergencies in dogs, particularly focusing on IVDD in Dachshunds through the story of a listener's dog, Rosie.

The other day, we were contacted by a listener called Davina. She asked us to help raise awareness of a topic that is very close to her heart. Here’s her story, in her own words… Rosie is our Black and Tan Miniature Dachshund, and she means the world to us. As dog trainers, we’ve worked with Dachshunds for years, so we’re very aware of the health challenges that can affect the breed. Even so, nothing prepares you for the moment it happens to your own dog. In October 2024, Rosie underwent surgery for Stage 2 Intervertebral Disc Disease (also known as IVDD, a neurological spinal condition that can cause pain, weakness and paralysis). One day, she was absolutely fine, and the next, she had lost the use of her back legs. It was terrifying. We rushed her to the out-of-hours vet, who immediately referred her back to the Veterinary Specialists in Cambridge. Rosie was taken straight for an MRI and then emergency surgery. The days that followed were incredibly difficult. The reality is that modern veterinary medicine can do incredible things, but those treatments come at a cost. Without being prepared, owners could find themselves facing impossible decisions during what is already one of…

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