Conservative Management of IVDD

[lehughes]

So I just want to start some discussion here.
I believe in, I've seen, I've been a part of SUCCESSFUL conservative management of IVDD. I think it's absolutely possible in the Grades 1-3/5 dogs and I've seen it be successful in the grade 4-5/5 neurologic dogs.
My plan:
1) Address the site of the lesion
Traction
Manual therapy (in the form of large amplitude pain free rotations)
Laser +++
Acupuncture
Maybe alphastim (ear clips) for pain
PEMF (all our dogs are treated on the PEMF mat)

2) Address the neurologic deficits and 'rewire' the system
PNF
Assisted walking practice in an UWT (or using a sling or w/c over a land treadmill)
Weight shifting exercises
Really, any neuro-rehab stuff.

3) Meds
Ensure that the dog has proper pain management / inflammation control
(i.e.either a steroid OR an NSAID plus adjunctive)

NOW... what are YOU seeing and doing? What's your magic plan for these dogs?

Cheers,
Laurie

[dizzy downunder]

No magic plan I'm afraid. These guys really aren't for those who give up easily
I don't really use/do anything different with conservatively managed cases. PMF or laser before aqua treadmill- depending on duration of disability. Work on muscle spasm in semimemb or gracillus/pectineius to reduce crossing of limbs when trying to walk. I also get owners to walk these guys over varied surfaces for increased proprioceptive input. Longish grass is great for stimulating higher up the limb at the same time.

Every time I work with these guys I wonder if we should be promoting prehabilitation or "training" the dogs to avoid injury.
If spinal injury is unavoidable in Daxi's and similar breeds why do some of them live to a ripe old age without suffering from it?

I also would love to hear thoughts and experiences.

[TanyaG]

I have been looking at conservative management of IVDD. The stats say that 70% of conservatively managed dogs will relapse in 6 - 12 months. Firstly, does anyone in rehab have experiences similar to this? These stats come from dogs that are managed 'traditionally' i.e. no rehabilitation. To tie in with the earlier question about how do we manage dachshunds, I would like to see research in whether or not a preventive (core strengthening and limb awareness program) changes those stats. Can recurrence be prevented? or can the interval between incidents be increased? I would like to be able to give my veterinary colleagues some convincing figures!