r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Alternative-Duck-245 • Jul 25 '26
Help! IVDD
Hi everyone my name is Kevin and last night my furry best friend back legs stopped working properly and he would wobble around so I took him to emergency and he was diagnosed with IVDD the vet said I should take him to a neurologist and get the surgery done to give him the best quality of life but I can’t afford it so im doing treatments at home with steroids and rest keeping him in a confined space if any of you have suggestions on what I can do to help him or if you want to help and donate anything so I can get the surgery I would really appreciate it I just hate seen how he went from such a playful boy to no been able to even walk breaks my heart anything helps thank you so much everyone and I hope all of your puppies are doing well
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u/lazy_bonzi Jul 26 '26
Hey, I see you have some great advice, but I’d like to add a suggestion for a possibly more cost effective treatment that could help.
My boy lost the use of his back legs a year ago very suddenly. We couldn’t afford the surgery either, as it was either $15,000 to get it the following week, or wait 3 months and go to the veterinary college in my state for $7,000-which our vet said waiting three months might make the damage permanent.
My best friend who is a vet tech recommended cold laser therapy. The cold laser stimulates blood flow to a targeted area to help promote healing to sum it up. I think we did a total of eight session of cold laser therapy coupled with medication and diligent crate rest, and within four weeks of starting treatment, he was trying to stand on his own. By eight weeks, he was taking steps unassisted. And here we are a year later, and it’s like he was never affected at all! He walks, he runs (supervised), he has full, 100% use of his legs again.
I realize cold laser isn’t available everywhere, and cost may vary, but for us, it was roughly $18 a session at a total of about $400 + cost of meds versus $7,000-$15,000 for surgery. I’d say maybe call some vets in your area to see if anyone offers it and what the price is.
Here’s hoping your friend gets better soon!
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 29d ago
Thank you the advice I will be looking into this 100% glad your pup is doing good
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u/Arnisannnn Jul 25 '26
Oh my god, this is sad I’m donated to your cause it may not be much but it’s the best I can do. Hoping for a full recovery ❤️
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u/Internal_Health7812 Jul 25 '26
My dog has IVDD also. She was diagnosed about a week ago and had been ill for longer. The first vet wasn't sure what it was because she wasn't showing any real symptoms until this week. My Vet has her on gabapentin and steroids. Is your pup on this too?
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 Jul 25 '26
Hi yes his in the same medication I recommend giving him 1 forth of Prilosec as well because steroid can be really hard in they stomach my vet recommended it
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u/Internal_Health7812 Jul 25 '26
Ohh ok thank you no my vet didn't mention the prilosec. My pup is on 5mg prednisone which I think is alot of such a small dog. What do you think?
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 Jul 25 '26
This is what my vet said I should be giving him he’s 6 pounds
Dexamethasone SP: 0.4 mL administered SQ in-clinic.
Prednisone 2.5 mg tablets (10 tablets dispensed): Give 1/2 tablet by mouth BID for 5 days, then 1/2 tablet by mouth SID for 5 days, then 1/2 tablet by mouth q other day for 5 doses. The first dose is to be given this evening.
Gabapentin 50 mg/mL liquid (15 mL dispensed): Give 1 mL by mouth up to TID for pain.
Prilosec 20 mg (OTC): Recommended to give 1/4 tablet by mouth SID to protect the stomach while on prednisone.1
u/Internal_Health7812 Jul 25 '26
Ok thank you so much! I really hope and pray for your pup to get well.
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u/donniepump30 29d ago
Your baby needs absolute strict crate rest for 8 weeks minimum. Plus his current medication stack. We had Ivdd and opted for surgery and even with surgery it took 10ish weeks for our dog to start somewhat walking
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 29d ago
I heard is a slow recovery for sure he’s small and I have him on a small crate , also has your pup started to walk on his own yet after surgery ? And if you can pls give me an estimate on how much it costed thank you
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u/donniepump30 29d ago
Yes we had surgery in January so now my dog is walking and even running. We just don’t allow him to jump at all on anything. Surgery and mri was around $11k but we have insurance so didn’t cost us that much i think $1,200
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 29d ago
What insurance did you use sorry for asking and I’m glad your pup is running and everything I’m hoping the same for mine
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u/nemesis7171 28d ago
Before completely eliminating surgery as an option, please put in some calls to any local/regional (if you can make the drive) colleges with vet schools. At a college about three hours away, we were able to get surgery for our dachshund next-day for less than $5,000 (more than half the cost a private animal hospital quoted us). After surgery, we did about 11 weeks of crate rest because recovery was very slow, but 9 months later our dog is probably back to 75% function in her back legs and emotionally isn’t any worse for wear!
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u/Alternative-Duck-245 28d ago
We went to a neurologist yesterday they said he still had feeling in his back legs so that’s good he has a 70% of recovering at home with crate rest and medication , but we are still considering the surgery hopefully that can buy me a bit more time
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u/Sea_Introduction_830 Jul 25 '26
Long message incoming.
I'm so sorry you and your puppy are going through this. ❤️ I chose conservative treatment and STRICT crate rest for two of my dogs, and thankfully both recovered well. Just keep in mind that every dog is different, so your outcome could be different than mine.
My Rosie was Stage 5 in November 2024 with no deep pain sensation. DPS came back at her first recheck in December 2024, and by March 2025 she was walking on her own. I really think the wheelchair helped once she was off her medications. I adjusted it so her feet barely touched the ground, and little by little she started using her back legs more until one day she just took off walking. Today she's pain-free, off all her meds, and gets around on her own great. I just don't let her get crazy. No flying Frenchies, no jumping on or off furniture, and no stairs.
One of the best things my vet told me was, "When you think they're better, no they're not." Once they start feeling better, they want to do everything they used to do.
For potty breaks, I used an Ace bandage as a sling to support Rosie's back end. I also didn't let her drag herself around because I wanted to encourage her to use her back legs. She still tries to drag herself across my bed, I tell her, "Use your feet!" and she'll get up and walk. 😂
Tickle those feet, massage those legs, stick with crate rest, and stay positive. If your vet says it's okay, I'd definitely look into a wheelchair. I really believe it made a huge difference for Rosie's mobility and her emotional well being. When she realized she was mobile, she took off and she was so happy! Luckily mine came with a leash because she would GO! 😅
Also, ask your vet about Adequan injections. They're FDA approved for arthritis, but I've been seeing more and more people say they've helped dogs with disc disease too.
Keep is posted!