About Me: 

Hi, my name is Nick.  Many in my profession, call me "Niko".  
Of my life's work, this single page of information, is my proudest.  And I mean that.   
This entire site will be one page - no tabs to navigate, no clickbait, no pop-ups, no data harvesting, no bs. Just: Help - During a time of stress.   

You're welcome to share this page with any person who has a dog, as IVDD can happen at any time, with any breed, with no notice whatsoever.  As was in my case.    

My experience: 

In 2013, my dog (a beagle/lab mix) at the age of 8, experienced an instant, unexplained case of paralysis, from the waist back.   At first, I thought he had a stroke.  After evaluation it was discovered: IVDD.  It was all latin to me. He was given a 0% probabilty to walk again, from two of the nations top doctors.  So, after all the stress, the specialists, the surgeries, the exorbitant sums of money.  Here's what I learned: 

 

DO NOT EUTHANIZE - Your dog will very likely be OK!   And at minimal expense. 
** Note: If you can't afford a vet visit don't worry, everything below still applies (and you can achieve a positive outcome).

 

Step 1 - be cool (and make sure to read all of this - especially #9 & #12)

1) Most important:  your dog is going to be OK. 

I wish professionals would have told me this in 2013.   

I was absolutely demolished inside. A wreck.

If the doctors say:  0%, 1% recovery - take it with a grain of salt. 

Do not allow "specialists" or others, to convince you of this.  

My dogs prognosis was 0% - no chance.  The end.  Put him down. 

Well, my dog lived for 10+ additional years.  Happily. 

And after 6-8 months,  he was walking, swimming & running.

 

2) Your dog can smell the stress on you (they can literally - smell your stress hormones).  

So be COOL.. 

 

3) These stress smells, will cause them undue stress - which can impact their recovery. 

So you must convince yourself right now - your pup will be ok.  As grim as it looks, you must believe this.  Got it?  Be COOL.. 

 

4) Do not seek "specialist" care immediately - a regular standard vet has the authority & ability to issue you exactly what is needed.  And those meds are less than $20. 

** Note ** If you can't afford a vet, everything below still applies, so read on.

 

 

5) Dog lover BEWARE!  In my experience, most specialists are two things.  They are profit happy, and they are "knife" happy.  By knife happy: they want to open the dog up, remove the bulging disc, etc. This is incredibly invasive - and in older dogs, there's more risk during sedation, than IVDD disease itself.  I'd advise against surgery for IVDD, almost always.  That is coming from my experience, with a dog who had two insanely expensive, invasive surgeries.  I now understand through personal lived experience - surgeries were 100% un-necessary.   With regards to "profit happy", these specialists sure do love your pet.. and MONEY!   A lot of money!  The "specialists" that I experienced, were well versed in working my emotions at that time of duress, as I tried to save my son (dog) Tucker.  Having since, studied law & contract law, the level of duress & coercion many of these specialists expel, is absolutely reprehensible. So, dog lover, beware.  

 

6) IVDD as a disease, is actually, very easy to understand & navigate. 

It just takes commitment. 

 

 

IVDD put simply:
IVDD is about addressing inflammation, allowing the spine to decompress while
rapidly reducing inflammation, as fast as possible through medicine and food
(preferably both).   

 

 

STEP 2 - Follow these steps closely!

7) Vet outreach:

Call a standard, regular vet, explain that your dog is likely down & paralyzed with IVDD. 

Just before calling, conduct a "pinch test" in the paralyzed limbs

(which are almost always the rear/hind legs).

Pinch between the toes (the skin) on paw, as if to cause discomfort.
Is there reflex?  Does the dog try to move the leg away?  Watch closely. 
Even with out leg motion, does the dog show a facial expression when pinched?
If so - great!  They haven't lost feeling.  If they have lost it, which was my case, it's still ok!  

 

8) Explain to the vet, you do not want to harm the dog, with additional movements.

Try your best, to have the vet evaluate the dog remotely.

If the vet demands that you come in, and in most cases they will,

you must carry the dog in the below manner.  

 

9) This *must* be the way your dog is picked up & carried (for safety).

This keeps the dogs spine straight & balanced.   Hold them close to your chest.

One arm between the back of legs, one arm between the front legs, then embracing your palms to the belly/chest.  

 

** This carry method is imperative to follow - It's crazy how many vet techs lack this simple carry technique.  Lead by example! 

Trust me - this carry technique, is as important as everything else! 
 

10) Medicine (drugs):

Prednisone (or Predisolone) is a rapidly acting anti-inflammatory, steroid. 

It is also one of the cheapest drugs in the world

(literally pennies on the dollar) medicines to buy.   

Weird - the specialists wont tell you this... hmmmm...?

This little cheap steroid (generally less than $20 a prescription) works wonders.  

It is beyond words, how important & valuable this medicine is for IVDD. 

Wether it's the animals first case of IVDD or a flare-up case at a future date

In my decade experience with IVDD - Prednisone is the Silver Bullet. 

 

As with any drug - there's always risk(s) to heart, liver/kidney, organs, etc.  

But don't let that scare you - with IVDD, Predisone steroid works (border line, like magic).  

Just avoid using it long-term.  Even if prescribed - it is not a long-term medicine (don't use longer than a few months) but do save them incase of future IVDD flare-ups!  

 

11) Medicine (food):

One of the most important things for IVDD treatment & future maintenance is FOOD!

 

If you cannot afford the vet, or even with the steroids above,

you can achieve benefits of rapid anti-inflammation.  

There is nothing out of a bag or can that is of benefit, in my experience.

Regardless of the advertisements, insane prices of food & claims. 

 

You must prepare this food yourself.   It's actually very easy. 

And don't be worried, even if you cant cook!

 

Food:  Any Fish is the #1 food.  The fattier the fish, the better.  Nearly every state & city has local fisherman, casting lines in ponds, creeks & rivers.  It really doesn't matter what kind of fish - if your dog will eat it, you can literally feed him that (solely) during this IVDD case, though, I do advise the below items.  If he's a fish snob - and refuses after several days, you might try Chicken.  

 

If possible: try to add Sweet Potato, shredded Pumpkin Meat (not the pulp mush used in pies), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Omega Fish Oil, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Butter & Eggs (cooked or raw eggs are fine).  CBD oil is also valuable - but it can't be sketchy gas station stuff.  Must be Broad Spectrum & by an authentic, regulated company.   

 

 

Helpful hint:

If you're one of the many dog lovers, who live paycheck to paycheck,

and can't afford the fish..  Place a post on Facebook!

"Disabled, sick dog, seeking local caught fish for survival". 

You will receive a response, guaranteed.  Just remember to show gratitude

to those who furnish you help.

 

Preparation:  The food can be prepared separately, or all together in a crockpot, pressure cooker or stove pot and fed during an entire week period.   Don't drain the oil/fat from fish after cooking - you need those nutrients! 

** double check for bones ** or pulverize them in a blender, so there's no bone-choking accidents. 

The entire fish (head, eyes, brain, organs, etc.) is pure nutrient.  I know for us, this sounds gross. 

Not for dogs though -  the grosser the better.  Feel free to alternate meats & organs eventually. 

 

Don't over think this! 

Do not worry about buying organic, etc.   Just get on with the food, where ever you can source it.    It's imperative. 

 

Cost:  Compared to the "specialty food" - making it yourself really isn't that expensive

& you actually know what's in it.  

In almost all cases - it's cheaper than the "specialty" marketed stuff.   

In my case, it was a maximum: $20 a week to make it myself. 

I would do this for over 10 years (starting from his first paralysis case) to maintain his health.  I believe this is what contributed to his nearly 20 years of age.    

And side note: this diet also reversed his (previous) diagnosis of kidney disease. 

 

Helpful cost savings:  Place an add on facebook: "Sick dog - needs local caught fish".  There are old retired men & women that would be happy to furnish you with as much fresh caught fish as you can ever use!   Trust me!   And for fresh (cheap) sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, check out Aldi, Lidl, Walmart in the frozen section (typically $.99 - $1.99 a bag).

 

As stated:  DONT OVER THINK THIS. 

 

To us, what appears to be an unappealing pile of mush (above).  

Is actually a medicine, that will save their life and maintain their life. 

 

12) CAGE REST!  (Spine Decompression)

The undisputed, most important thing for IVDD recovery is completely restricted mobility.

I know this seems cruel - but you must prevent the dog from moving around. 

This is by far, the most important matter when overcoming IVDD. 

Every flinch of movement, can cause additional damage.  

If you feel guilty - make a bed down with your dog, to keep them company. 

I did this for an entire year.  His struggle, was my struggle.    

In my 15 years with the dog, our little floor bed was my most memorable

moments of bonding with him, moments I'll always cherish.  

 

If you have a cage - prepare it accordingly **REMEMBER the #9 lift/carry technique above. 

 

Helpful hint:

To help move the dog, if you place a towel or sheet on ground, then the dog on top,

you can use it to slide the dog in & out of the cage.  

The easiest solution:  make a barricade with baby gates (or anything) to keep the dog confined to an area that is nearly impossible to stand up, or move in.  I'm talking small.  Just enough for the animal to lay in, nothing more.   You can feed him in there, leave a water bowl - that is it!    

 

13) Using the bathroom with a IVDD

 

I can tell you - this is the most dedicated part with IVDD. 

But once you get the hang of it, it is actually very easy, once you've figured it out.

It took me about two days to master it.

 

The dog will have a hard time going pee & definitely #2.   So let's start with the hardest first!

 

The dog MUST remain in place, in his cage or little home-built baby gate kennel.  Do NOT, repeat, do NOT try to take the dog outside, to use bathroom.  The dog must go, in place, where he lays.  This seems weird, but I'm telling you, you'll get over it.  The dog would do it for you, if he could. 

 

To go "#2" (defecate) simply heat a bowl of water between "hot" and "warm".  Place an old sock, washcloth in the bowl and warm it up.  Place an old newspaper under the rear of dog (or training puppy pad) and then begin softly touching the warm (almost hot) sock against the dogs anus.  Keep at it & you'll begin to see the area opening up - there it goes!   This might take a few attempts or even a day or two - but trust me, it will work.  Hopefully the poo is hard & firm, making clean up easy as can be.  If its loose, just mix up some water/vinegar combo (dawn soap can work too).  And a light cleaning if necessary.  

 

To go #1, (pee) you must place your hands around dogs stomach and feel for the bladder.  You slowly, gently begin to express the blatter.  I have no personal, or business relation to this person, but she is very clear in the technique.  

 

 

 

 

 

14)  At first, my experience with IVDD seemed grim.   I began to lose faith.  After two months, my dog showed no progress at all, nor showed any feelings when giving "the pinch test".   Doctors said in the beginning, after a few weeks, if the nerves were lost, there was no return.  It was a done deal.  Put him down.  

 

I can assure you with certainty, this is NOT TRUE.   Because at the 3 month mark, with no notice, no progress or feeling in legs, he began to flinch his toes and move his legs.   Literally, over night.  By month 6.. he was walking.  He lived for 10 additional years and passed in 2023 at 19 years old, with me by his side.  Between 2013 & 2023, he had a few IVDD flare-ups (they only lasted a few days) I'd immediately issue him Prednisone, and he was immediately back on his feet.  Withh IVDD - maintain the diet & keep the Prednisone close by.  There is one more important element reserved until this moment.  In all - I'd say it was the most imporant of all.    

 

And a little thing some call "Faith".

 

 

If I can be of assistance - you're welcomed to drop me a line.  I'm happy to help & can direct you to those who might be of assistance.  

 

Nick (Niko):  help@ivdd.dog