How Rehab Can Help Your Dog With IVDD

Support for their spine. Strength for their future.

If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), you’re probably feeling overwhelmed, worried, and full of questions. What can you do? Will they walk again? Are they in pain? And how do you give them the best chance at recovery?

We completely understand — and we’re here to help.

Rehabilitation is one of the most important tools we have to support dogs with IVDD. Whether your dog is recovering from surgery or being managed conservatively (non-surgically), a structured and personalised physiotherapy programme can make a massive difference in how they recover — and how they feel.

What is IVDD?

IVDD is a spinal condition where the discs between the bones in the spine degenerate or rupture, leading to pain, nerve compression, and mobility problems. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to complete paralysis of the back legs.

IVDD can occur suddenly (often in breeds like Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, and Cocker Spaniels) or develop slowly over time.

How Rehab Supports IVDD Recovery

No matter how your dog is being treated — with surgery or without — rehab plays a crucial role in their recovery.

Here’s how:

We use a range of non-invasive therapies to help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and keep your dog comfortable:

Laser therapy
Therapeutic massage
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
TENS/NMES (nerve & muscle stimulation)

This helps your dog relax and begin to move without fear of pain.

In the early stages, we guide you through a gentle, safe routine to protect the spine while healing begins. This includes:

Managing your dog’s environment (ramps, non-slip flooring, crate rest guidance)
Handling techniques to avoid flare-ups
Targeted “active rest”, which is different from complete inactivity

Our goal is to reduce the load on the spine while preventing muscle loss.

Once your dog is stable, we carefully reintroduce movement. Using neurodevelopmental rehab techniques, we retrain the nervous system and rebuild coordination.

This includes:

Controlled exercises that teach your dog how to move safely again
Balance work to stabilise the core and protect the spine
Tailored strength exercises for the back legs, core, and postural muscles

This stage is essential to prevent future injuries and improve long-term mobility.

In dogs with more advanced IVDD or those recovering from surgery, the spinal cord and nerves may take time to heal.

Rehab helps by:

Stimulating nerve pathways through movement
Encouraging weight-bearing in a safe, supported way
Keeping muscles and joints in good condition while the nerves recover

We often use hydrotherapy to create a safe, low-impact way for your dog to practice walking again — building strength without pressure.

The Sooner, The Better

Early rehab = better outcomes.
Starting rehab within the first few days or weeks post-diagnosis (with your vet’s approval) helps prevent muscle loss, stiffness, and compensatory issues that can cause problems later.

It also means your dog:

Experiences less pain
Recovers confidence and coordination faster
Has a stronger chance of returning to an active, happy life

Every Dog is Different — and So is Every Rehab Plan

At Apollo, we don’t believe in generic protocols. Your dog’s plan is custom-built around:

Their symptoms
Their surgical or non-surgical status
Their personality, confidence, and current ability

We’ll work closely with you and your vet to create a rehab plan that evolves with your dog — and supports them every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

IVDD is scary, but there’s so much hope. With the right support, we’ve seen dogs go from immobile to active again, tails wagging and eyes bright.

If your dog has IVDD, know this:
You are not alone, and there is a plan.

Reach out for a consultation — we’ll help you understand your options and start building your dog’s personalised path to recovery.

Restoring mobility, one paw at a time