IVDD Lingo Glossary

Adequan: Injectable glucosamine (poly sulfated glycosaminoglycan). Supplement used as natural anti-inflammatory. Designed for arthritis but helps with IVDD. Must be given for 4 weeks, 2 shots per week. Dose depends on weight. AVOID use with diabetic, renal, hepatic or suspected bleeding disorders.
Ataxia: when the dog walks in a weak and uncoordinated fashion. Commonly known as “drunken walk.”
Acupuncture: Alternative therapy used as part of the healing process. Promotes micro-circulation, relaxation of muscles, speeds healing and reduces swelling.
Vitamin A is fat soluble & could accumulate in body to toxic levels if the dog has liver disease or failure.

Vitamin B12. Helps regenerate nerve’s outer layer, can be injected or given orally.
Bowel and bladder control: the ability of the dog to go potty on it’s own. Some dogs lose it during a herniation since nerves that communicate the need to go are damaged. Expressing is needed in that case.
Board Certified Surgeon: Is a specialist in veterinary surgery. He has completed a three-year residency program, met specific training and caseload requirements, performs research and has his research published. http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/WhatisaBoardCertifiedSurgeon/DiplomateDefinition/

Chondrodystrophy: means dwarfness. Dachshunds are dwarves, like most breeds of dogs who are prone to disc disease (IVDD).
Chondroitin: Supplement used in IVDD and arthritis. In theory helps regenerate cartilage.
Conventional medical treatment: a non-surgical treatment using an anti-inflammatory, pain & muscle relaxer medications.
CT Scan: a form of imaging device used to diagnose problems where soft tissue is involved.
Crate Rest: keeping the dog in a plastic or wire crate at all times, 24/7, except for potty breaks. Usually for 6-8 weeks.
Vitamin C, a more readily absorbed form is Ester-C. For bones and cartilage. Promotes Collagen production.

Dachshunds: Owners of the house, the best couch and the largest bed.
Discs: Stuff between the vertebrae and why we are here.
Deep pain: the response gotten when you pinch between the dog’s toes. Usually the dog will look back or try to take the foot off, if there is pain response.
Discus Compositum: Homeopathic remedy, given in Sub Cutaneous shots or orally in combination with vitamin B12. Helps heal a herniated disc according to German Holistic vets.

Vitamin E. Used for IVDD as anti-inflammatory and moisturizer. Use in combination with fish oils. Is fat soluble & large dosing of supplement form may accumulate in body to toxic levels.
Expressing: pressing correctly on the bladder to empty it. Must be done 4-6 times daily until the dog regains control. Bowels can be expressed too by stroking both sides of the rectum.
Ear plugs: heavenly device used by owner when crated dog decides to start “singing the blues.”

Fenestration: procedure in which, while the dog is having disc surgery, the surgeon “pokes” small holes, or windows (fenestration comes from the Latin word window), in the adjacent discs to the one that herniated. Some surgeons believe this will prevent future herniations on the fenestrated discs.
Fentanyl patch: pain killer used after surgery. Prevent accidents by using an E collar (Cone collar) on the dog to avoid it chewing or eating it.
Fish oils: stinky pills that act as anti-inflammatories. Use with Vitamin E. Good combination for skin problems too. Avoid using on dogs with kidney problems.
F%&#!: most common expression used when owners find out their dogs have IVDD.

Gastric Protectors: medicines like Zantac, Pepcid or Tagamet. Given to the dog while receiving steroids, NSAIDs or antibiotics, since such medicines can cause stomach upsets, gastritis, vomiting or diarreah.
Glucosamine, supplement given orally. See Adequan.
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): family of supplements that include Glucosamine, chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid. They are part of the soft tissue of the body, including discs, and are forms of sugar. Pills are usually made from chicken cartilage.
Gene: small parts of the body that carry the information of how it’s made. It can also carry the information of diseases, that’s why gene research is important to have a chance to eliminate IVDD from dachshunds.

Hyaluronic Acid: See glycosaminoglycans.
Herniation: breaking of the cortex of the discs, which allows the inner material to ooze out and press on the nerve cord.

Inter-vertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): Aging faster than normal of the discs, which makes them prone to herniations.

Job well done: When the dachshund recovers!

Knuckling: when the dog’s paw turns upside, showing the pads upwards when they should be pressing on the floor.
Kong: Owner’s life saving device when the dog is crated and decides it’s time to break out of jail. Stuff with light yoghurt, Peanut Butter or canned cheese.

Laser Disc Ablation: The discs are exposed to a small laser by inserting a needle in them, zapping them with the laser, and removing the needle. This procedure has been proven successful in a very high rate preventing future disc herniations in dogs with IVDD, even those who have had previous herniations. It is not the same as the surgery done on a dog with a current herniation, as the LDA is a preventive measure and is done only on the discs of the back, and not on the neck (currently).
Linda Stowe: founder of Dodgerslist.
Leaking: Releasing urine gradually when the bladder is not emptied correctly. Usually happens between potty breaks and at night. This can lead to an infection.
Luxated Patella: a genetic disease that some dachshunds have, in which the knees don’t work correctly. This might cause a limp that can mimic IVDD. Ruled out by X-rays.
L-Carnitine: supplement (amino acid) used to help the dog regain muscle. Works breaking down food’s fat and protein molecules and making them more available to the body.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Image. Form of image that shows soft tissue. Commonly used to locate the herniation before surgery.
Myelogram: form of image in which a contrast fluid is injected into the spinal cord, for it to be seen in X-rays and be able to locate where the cord is being pressed by disc material.
Myelomalacia: lethal disease in which the nerve cord starts to die. Usually happens within the 10 days following a severe disc herniation. There is no known cure.
Methocarbamol: muscle relaxer. Commonly given to prevent muscle spasms. Many drugs can increase the effects of methocarbamol, fentanyl among others, ask your vet.
Martini: Human calming aid. Use when crated dog howls til your nerves break. Increases “I don’t give a darn” attitude. Do not use if operating heavy machinery or driving. Might cause side effects like: blabbering, folk singing, dropping head on dinner plate and going out to the street in pijamas… or out of them.

Nothing: what we’d love the vet to tell us our dog has, or he’ll charge.
Neurons: tiny little cells in the brain.
Nerves: cells that send and receive information to and from the brain. There are 2 forms of nerves: primitive and advanced. Advanced die faster in a herniation, but primitives are tougher and they can eventually, with therapy and time, take over the advanced functions.
NSAIDs: non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Aspirin, Rimadyl, Metacam, and Deramaxx among others. Must never be mixed with steroids or another NSAID.

Orthopedic: anything that relates to the skeletal structure of the body.
Overflowing: the autonomic system releases some urine when the bladder is stretched & filled to capacity. The bladder does not void completely

Paralysis: When the dog loses the ability to move the hind legs totally. Usually at this point, deep pain is lost too, as well as bladder and bowel control.

Q Tip: device used to help release poop from intestines. Smear with Vaseline and insert tip in anus, then turn clockwise and poop will come out.
Quadraplegic: when a dog’s paralisys involves all 4 limbs. Usually happens after a serious cervical herniation. Might be a sign of other neurological diseases like GME or encephalitis.

Rest: See Crate Rest.
Rescue Remedy: Natural calming aid that helps dogs and humans through stressful crating and resting periods.

Shaking or shivering: tremors manifested by dogs when they experience pain.
Staph Infection: bacteria that commonly dogs get after being on steroids for some time. Usually they get it in the urine or on skin, causing round, oozy red patches. Needs antibiotics.

Therapy: Series of exercises, passive during crate rest and active afterwards, that the owner has to do with the dog to help regain muscle tone and coordination.
Tinglings: Nerve short circuits perceived as pins & needles or burning sensation that cause a dog to chew on legs or limbs. This is a rare neurological defect that can happen after a herniation and must be corrected with drugs, like the liquid form of Neurontin, before the dog causes permanent or fatal damage to itself. Treat with Vitamin B12 and acupuncture. Here is how a human describes the sensations: those shocks are AWFUL!!! They can make you feel pain, too cold, too hot, and worst of all is the feeling of my feet being on fire…literally!! I’m not exaggerating in the least here…it is awful…I’ve lived thru some bad pain in my life, but nothing compares to the pain of neurothapy!!

Tramadol: Pain killer. Commonly given after surgery.

UTI: Urinary Tract Infection. Very common in IVDD dogs or paralyzed dogs. Must see vet.

Vet: also known as Petiatrician, as he treats our fur KIDS. Doctor that specialized in animals and has a vow to protect and heal them.
VOM: Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation is a non-surgical approach to spinal disease and lameness using a very safe low-force adjusting device. Usually provided by a Holistic Vet or Chiropractor.

Wallet: empty after you leave vet’s office.

Xylophone: musical instrument. Good accompanying dog’s howling.
X Rays: Imaging device that shows only mineral material and not soft tissue like discs. It can show narrowing of vertebral space, but not actual herniations. Used to rule out other diseases that mimic IVDD.

Yoghurt: good if given frozen in a Kong as treat. Use low fat.

Z: get plenty of those while you can! Healing is a long process, but sooo worth it.

Recommended Readings | Emergency FAQ's | Join Dodger's Message Board | Home

IVDD Lingo Glossary