What is IVDD and spinal cord compression?

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) happens when a disc between two vertebrae bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is most common in breeds such as Dachshunds, Beagles, French Bulldogs, Corgis and Shih Tzus, but any dog can be affected. Severity ranges from a painful back or neck to paralysis.

Signs to look for

• Back or neck pain, reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Hunched posture, tense abdomen, shivering
• Wobbly or “drunken” walk, crossing the hind legs
• Knuckling (walking on the tops of the paws)
• Weakness or paralysis of one or more legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

How veterinarians diagnose and treat it

Your veterinarian will do a neurological examination and usually advise imaging such as MRI or CT to find the affected disc. Treatment depends on the severity. Mild cases may be managed with strict rest as directed, pain relief and monitoring. Dogs that cannot walk, that are getting worse, or that have lost deep pain sensation are usually referred for surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Rehabilitation, such as controlled exercise, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, often follows.

Where acupuncture may fit

Some integrative veterinarians add acupuncture or electroacupuncture to a dog’s plan for pain relief and rehabilitation. It is used alongside veterinary treatment. It does not replace a diagnosis, and it should not delay surgery when a specialist recommends it.

What the evidence says: Published studies of electroacupuncture in dogs with IVDD are limited and their results are mixed. They have not shown that acupuncture should replace surgery when surgery is advised.

Results vary from dog to dog and cannot be promised. To find a practitioner, see the veterinary acupuncture directory.

Acupuncture points commonly discussed for this condition

These points are named in traditional dog acupuncture charts for the signs described on this page. Each guide gives the location, traditional indications and safety notes. Listing a point is not a promise that it will help, and points are chosen by the practitioner for each dog.

• Bai Hui (百会)Chart lists: paralysis
• Hua Tuo Jia Ji (华佗夹脊)Chart lists: IVDD spinal recovery, back pain
• GV3 Yao Yang Guan (腰阳关)Chart lists: lumbar pain, hind limb paralysis
• GV4 Ming Men (命门)Chart lists: lumbar pain
• GV14 Da Zhui (大椎)Chart lists: stiff neck
• BL23 Shen Shu (肾俞)Chart lists: lumbar pain
• BL40 Wei Zhong (委中)Chart lists: lumbar and back pain, hind limb paralysis
• BL54 Zhi Bian (秩边)Chart lists: hind limb paralysis
• GB30 Huan Tiao (环跳)Chart lists: hind limb paralysis, hip and lumbar pain, sciatica

See all points on the dog acupuncture points chart.

Further reading

• Hayashi AM, et al. Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007.
• Joaquim JGF, et al. Comparison of decompressive surgery, electroacupuncture, and decompressive surgery followed by electroacupuncture for the treatment of dogs with intervertebral disk disease with long-standing severe neurologic deficits. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010.

References are given for further reading and do not mean acupuncture is proven for this condition.