Slipped disc in dogs

Based on the international veterinary neurology guidelines (IVETF, ACVIM). Updated 19 October 2026. 9 min read.

What is a slipped disc in dogs?

A slipped disc (intervertebral disc disease) is when material from inside an intervertebral disc moves into the canal that holds the spinal cord. The discs are elastic cushions between the vertebrae: they have a soft, jelly-like centre surrounded by a fibrous ring. As a disc ages or degenerates it loses its elasticity, and its material can escape and press on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. The result is pain, weakness in the legs or paralysis.

Vets use two names, following the pattern Hansen described in the 1950s. Both can cause neurological signs, but they behave differently.

In Dachshunds, the number of discs with a calcified centre peaks at around 2 years of age, which explains why a type I disc herniation can happen in dogs that are still young.

Which breeds are most likely to get a slipped disc?

Chondrodystrophic breeds, meaning those with short, disproportionate legs, are at the highest risk. In these breeds a genetic variant (an extra copy of the FGF4 gene on chromosome 12) leads to early degeneration of the discs. The variant is linked to slipped discs in breeds such as:

• Dachshund
• French Bulldog
• Shih Tzu and Pekingese
• Beagle and Basset Hound
• Cocker Spaniel
• Bichon Frise, Corgi, Poodle and others

Not every dog of these breeds will have a slipped disc, and dogs without the genetic variant are not completely protected. There is a genetic test for breeders, which is useful when choosing which dogs to mate.

What are the signs of a slipped disc in a dog?

The first sign is usually pain. Many dogs no longer want to climb the stairs or jump, yelp when they are picked up or touched, tremble, or stand with a hunched back or with the head held low. Sometimes you can hear the nails of the hind feet scraping along the floor.

The signs depend on where the slipped disc is:

• Cervical slipped disc (in the neck): the dog holds its head low, does not want to turn its neck, has a stiff neck and may yelp for no obvious reason. In severe cases all four legs are affected.
• Thoracolumbar slipped disc (in the back): a hunched back, an unsteady gait or dragging of the hind legs, through to paralysis of the hind legs. This is the most common location.

In severe cases the dog can no longer pass urine voluntarily: the bladder fills up and urine may dribble out.

What are the grades of a slipped disc?

Vets divide the signs into grades, from the mildest to the most severe. The disease does not necessarily go through every grade: a dog can go straight to paralysis without having had pain alone first.

Why does it matter whether the dog can feel deep pain?

Deep pain sensation is the most important sign for the outlook. The vet tests it by firmly squeezing the bone of a toe and watching whether the animal perceives the pain: it turns its head, whimpers or tries to bite. Simply pulling the leg away does not mean the dog feels it, because withdrawal is a reflex that can work even without a connection to the brain. Loss of deep pain sensation indicates a severe injury to the spinal cord.

The 2022 ACVIM consensus brought together the published results for acute thoracolumbar disc herniation. The definition of a “good outcome” differs between studies, so the figures are a guide only:

Loss of deep pain sensation also affects bladder control. In a study of 709 dogs, long-term urinary incontinence developed in around 6% of the dogs that could still walk when first seen and in 38% of those with no deep pain sensation. Some of the dogs that have lost deep pain sensation can also develop progressive myelomalacia, a spreading destruction of the spinal cord that is rare but very serious.

How is a slipped disc diagnosed?

The diagnosis has two stages: the neurological examination shows where the lesion is, and advanced imaging confirms the slipped disc. At the neurological consultation the vet watches the dog walk and tests its postural reactions, spinal reflexes and pain sensation. From these it becomes clear which segment of the spinal cord the problem is in (the neck, the area between the shoulders, the back or the lower back) and how severe it is.

The examination also rules out other causes that can look the same: a spinal stroke, inflammation, tumours, injuries or orthopaedic problems. A plain X-ray does not show the spinal cord, so on its own it cannot confirm a slipped disc.

Confirmation comes from imaging:

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the most reliable method, with a sensitivity of over 98% in the studies reviewed by the consensus. It also shows how badly the spinal cord is affected.
• CT scan (computed tomography) is quicker and cheaper and may be the first choice in short-legged breeds, where the herniated discs are usually calcified.

DEMED does not carry out MRI, CT scans or surgery. After the neurological examination I tell you which investigation makes sense, and the imaging and, if needed, the surgery are done at specialist centres. Because the examination has already located the lesion, the imaging can focus on the right area.

Does a slipped disc in a dog need surgery, or can it be treated without?

It depends on the grade. Dogs that can still walk can often be treated conservatively, and surgery becomes the main option when the dog can no longer walk, when the signs are getting worse or when the pain does not settle. The decision is made together with the vet, after the examination and imaging.

What does conservative treatment involve?

• Strict rest for at least 4 weeks, in a crate or in a small room with no furniture to jump on. The dog goes out only on a lead, briefly, to toilet.
• Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication, chosen and dosed by the vet. Current recommendations do not support the routine use of corticosteroids in the acute phase.
• Bladder and skin care for dogs that cannot get up.

The risk of conservative treatment is recurrence, especially in young, active dogs with several calcified discs. If the signs get worse during rest, the dog needs to be reassessed straight away.

When is surgery needed?

Decompressive surgery removes the disc material pressing on the spinal cord. Studies show better results than conservative treatment in dogs that can no longer walk or are paralysed. The ACVIM consensus states that no exact deadline for surgery has been proven, and that surgery should not be ruled out simply because time has passed since the paralysis began. That does not mean you can wait: a prompt assessment makes it possible to watch for deterioration and plan properly. If surgery is not possible, a trial of conservative treatment is reasonable at any grade.

How long does recovery from a slipped disc take?

Recovery usually takes weeks, and months in dogs that have been paralysed. After surgery there are again at least 4 weeks of restricted activity, which does not rule out the rehabilitation exercises recommended by the vet.

• The bladder: many dogs do not pass urine on their own for the first few days. In one study, voluntary urination returned after about 2 days in dogs that could walk and after about 15 days in those with no deep pain sensation. Expressing the bladder by hand empties on average only half of the urine, which is why the vet shows you how to do it and keeps an eye out for urinary infections.
• Rehabilitation exercises: passive movements, supported standing and short walks are part of normal care. In dogs that could still move their legs, intensive rehabilitation at a clinic did not speed up the return to walking compared with basic exercises done properly. In paralysed dogs without deep pain sensation, intensive rehabilitation may help.
• Recurrence: up to 19% of dogs that have had surgery later have another slipped disc, most often near the first one. The reported risk was 25% in Dachshunds and 44% in French Bulldogs.

Can a slipped disc in dogs be prevented?

Not completely. In predisposed breeds, disc degeneration is genetic and starts early. The tips below reduce the strain on the spine and help recovery, but none of them guarantees that a slipped disc will not happen.

• Ideal weight. An overweight dog has more weight to carry on its spine and recovers less easily after an episode. In a large study of Dachshunds, however, body condition did not come out as a risk factor, so weight is more about general health than reliable prevention.
• Regular daily exercise. In the same study, Dachshunds that exercised for more than an hour a day had a lower risk, and those with less than 30 minutes a day a higher one. Good muscle tone supports the spine.
• Jumping and stairs. The traditional advice is to limit jumping on and off the sofa and bed. Surprisingly, the Dachshund study found a lower risk in dogs allowed to jump every day. The authors say clearly that this result does not allow firm recommendations. A reasonable approach: avoid jumps from a height and sudden, boisterous games, but do not keep your dog immobile.
• A harness instead of a collar. The study found no direct link with the risk of a slipped disc, but a harness puts no pressure on the neck, which matters in a dog with neck pain.

In dogs that have had surgery, the surgeon may also suggest preventive fenestration of the neighbouring discs, a procedure that reduces the risk of recurrence at those discs.

When to go to an emergency vet and when to book a neurological consultation

Go straight to the nearest emergency vet clinic that is open now if:

• your dog can no longer walk or suddenly starts dragging its legs;
• the signs are getting worse from one hour to the next;
• your dog is not passing urine, or urine is dribbling out uncontrollably;
• the pain is very severe and cannot be relieved.

In an emergency, also outside opening hours, send a WhatsApp message or call 0745 145 033; the emergency consultation, outside opening hours, costs 500 lei. If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or you cannot reach the practice, go straight to the nearest emergency vet clinic that is open now. A booked neurological consultation makes sense when your dog has back or neck pain that keeps coming back, or an unsteady gait that has developed gradually, when you would like an assessment before deciding on surgery, or when you want the progress after treatment checked. If trembling is the main thing you notice, read the guide on why a dog trembles as well; for other signs, see the list of neurological symptoms in dogs. If you are coming from another city, you will find practical information on the page for patients from outside Cluj.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.