If your dog has been diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease you’re not alone, and you may be feeling overwhelmed by medical terms and prognosis numbers. This chart is a helpful tool we use to better understand how severe your pet’s condition is and what kind of recovery you can expect.
What is IVDD?
IVDD is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine begin to bulge or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord. It can cause anything from mild pain to full paralysis, depending on how far the condition has progressed.
The 1-5 Grading System
Veterinarians grade IVDD from 1, mild, to 5, severe.
Grade 1: Your pet is in pain, but can walk normally. This is the earliest and most treatable stage.
Grade 2: You’ll notice your dog walking wobbly or weakly, but still on their feet.
Grade 3: They can still move their legs, but not enough to walk without help.
Grade 4: This is paralysis. Your pet can’t stand or walk, may have bladder issues, but still feels deep pain.
Grade 5: The most severe- no pain sensation, full paralysis, and often incontinence.
Breaking Down the Chart
The chart shows the likelihood of recovery based on three treatment paths. The first is western medicine, which includes modern medications. Surgical intervention is another treatment path. The final treatment path is integrative medicine in the form of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (or TCVM). This includes acupuncture and herbal support.
Generally, the earlier IVDD is caught, the better the outlook. For example, a dog at Grade 1 has a 90–100% chance of recovery with most treatments. Grade 5 dogs still have hope—but time matters. Surgery done within 24 hours offers the best shot at improvement.
Comparing Treatments
There are differences in outcomes depending on which treatment is used, and at what grade they are applied. Surgery tends to offer the most consistent success across all grades, especially in more severe cases (Grades 3–5). Western veterinary medicine alone (like anti-inflammatories and rest) is highly effective for early-stage cases, but recovery rates drop significantly as the condition progresses. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine shows promising recovery rates, especially in mild to moderate cases- sometimes even outperforming surgery in the early stages. For severe cases, TCVM can also be used as a complementary therapy to improve overall comfort and healing. For an example, read our IVDD case study.
Final Thoughts
If you think your pet might be experiencing signs of IVDD, like hesitation to move, sudden yelps of pain, or dragging limbs, don’t wait- see a veterinarian right away. Acting quickly makes all the difference.
If you’re already facing an IVDD diagnosis, know this- there are options, and recovery is possible.
IVDD Grades and Prognoses
| Grade | Clinical Signs | Prognosis for Western Medicine | Prognosis for Surgery | Prognosis for TCVM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pain, hyperesthesia | 90% | 90% | 95 to 100% |
| 2 | Ataxic, Wobbly, Weak, Paresis, Able to walk | 90% | 90% | 95 to 100% |
| 3 | Severe paresis, needs support to stand, able to move legs but not able to walk | 70% | 90% | 90 to 95% |
| 4 | Paralysis, not able to stand or walk, decreased or no bladder control, deep pain present | 50% | 80% | 75 to 90% |
| 5 | Paralysis, urinary and fecal incontinence, No Deep Pain | <5% | <24 hrs: 50% 24–48 hrs: 20% >48 hrs: 5% | 50 to 60% |