SUMMARY: In the final article of this four-part series on intervertebral disc disease, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby recounts the story of an aging German Shepherd named Oslo who suffered from IVDD (Type II). Through sharing his story, you’ll learn the signs, symptoms, and treatment for IVDD in senior and large-breed dogs. For a comprehensive guide to IVDD, please read parts I, II, and III: IVDD in Dogs: Why It Happens, IVDD: Can a Dog Recover Without Surgery?, and IVDD Surgery: What if Your Vet Recommends Surgery for Your Dog?
Common Dog Health Problems
IVDD Surgery: When Your Vet Recommends Surgery for Your Dog
IVDD surgery is often thought of as a last resort for dogs diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease. So when is IVDD surgery the best option? And why? In Part III of Dr. Julie Buzby’s series on IVDD in dogs, she resumes the story of Tango, a 4-year-old miniature Dachshund diagnosed with his first episode of IVDD. (For Parts I and II, please read IVDD in Dogs: Why It Happens and IVDD: Can a Dog Recover Without Surgery? ) By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of IVDD surgery, IVDD surgery success rates, IVDD surgery costs, and what to expect after IVDD surgery.
IVDD: Can a dog recover without surgery?
In part II of this series on IVDD in dogs, a miniature Dachshund named Tango receives conservative medical management to treat intervertebral disc disease. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby recounts Tango’s non-surgical treatment plan and shares why surgery for IVDD correlates to the severity of IVDD symptoms. For Part 1 in this series, please read, “IVDD in Dogs: Why it Happens.” The answer may surprise you.
IVDD in Dogs: Why it Happens
If you have ever owned or loved a Dachshund, you are probably familiar with the most common spinal disease in dogs—intervertebral disc disease, commonly referred to as IVDD.
But I don’t like to talk about “diseases,” I like to talk about dogs, so our story begins with a MUCH loved four-year-old miniature Dachshund named Tango.
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
When I think of laryngeal paralysis in dogs, I think of Charlie—a good-natured black Labrador Retriever who had been my patient for many years.
I think about a complex syndrome in senior dogs called Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy or “GOLPP.” While it had not been fully characterized nor named when Charlie was alive, in retrospect, I’m sure GOLPP most accurately represents his condition.
And I think about the three boxes of tissues I went through the night we lost Charlie because of this disease.