If you’re asking yourself “how do I know if my dog has IVDD?”, you’re not alone - and you’re not overreacting. IVDD rarely starts with something obvious like paralysis. More often, it shows up as small, confusing changes that make you doubt your own judgement: a stiff morning, hesitation before jumping, a quick yelp that disappears, or a sense that your dog just isn’t moving the same way anymore.
The honest answer is this: you usually can’t be 100% sure at home whether your dog has IVDD - but you can recognise when IVDD is a real possibility rather than a random sore back or “one-off” issue. This article is here to help you do exactly that. It won’t diagnose your dog, but it will help you understand whether IVDD should be on your radar and when it’s time to stop guessing.
If you’re looking for a full explanation of the condition itself - what IVDD is, why it happens, and how it’s managed - start with our main guide
If you already know something isn’t right and want a detailed breakdown of symptoms and how they progress, our symptoms guide goes deeper.
Below, we’ll focus on one narrow question only: how to tell whether the changes you’re seeing could mean your dog has IVDD - or whether it’s likely to be something else.
Is this just a sore back - or could it be IVDD?
This is one of the hardest parts for dog owners. Back pain on its own doesn’t automatically mean IVDD, but there are a few clues that make IVDD more likely than a simple strain.
A sore back usually improves with rest and doesn’t change how your dog moves day to day. With IVDD, the pain often comes back, appears during specific movements, or makes your dog move differently even when they’re trying to act normal. You may notice stiffness after rest, hesitation before jumping, or sudden yelps when your dog twists, turns, or is picked up.
Another key difference is how your dog reacts to touch. Dogs with IVDD often freeze, tense up, or flinch when you run your hand along their back or neck, even gently. This isn’t typical of mild muscle soreness. IVDD pain also tends to feel unpredictable - fine one moment, uncomfortable the next - which is why it’s so easy to second-guess.
If the back pain keeps returning, is linked to movement, or is paired with changes in posture, confidence, or behaviour, it’s reasonable to ask: could this be IVDD rather than just a sore back? At that point, IVDD should be taken seriously rather than watched and waited out.
Does my dog’s breed make IVDD more likely?
Yes - dog breed can affect IVDD risk, and for some dogs it lowers the threshold for suspicion. If you’re asking “is my dog at risk of IVDD?”, breed and body shape are part of the answer, not the whole story.
Dogs with long backs and shorter legs are at a higher dog breed IVDD risk because their spine is under more mechanical stress every day. In these dogs, discs can start to wear out earlier and react more sharply to jumping, twisting, or awkward landings. That means the same mild sign - stiffness, hesitation, a brief yelp - may be more significant than it would be in a low-risk build.
That said, IVDD is not limited to one breed. Larger dogs and mixed breeds can also develop it, especially with age, excess weight, or repeated strain on the spine. Breed doesn’t diagnose IVDD, but it changes how seriously you should take early changes. If your dog has a higher-risk build and something about their movement or comfort feels different, IVDD deserves to be on your radar sooner rather than later.
My dog can still walk - does that rule out IVDD?
No. The fact that your dog can still walk does not rule out IVDD. One of the most common misconceptions is that IVDD only matters once a dog can’t move their legs. In reality, a dog can walk with IVDD, especially in the early stages.
With early IVDD, walking often looks slightly different rather than obviously wrong. Your dog may move more cautiously, shorten their stride, hesitate on uneven ground, or seem stiff after rest. Many dogs compensate well at first, which makes the problem easy to miss. Being able to walk simply means the spinal cord isn’t severely compressed yet - not that the spine is healthy.
This is why early IVDD is so often overlooked. Changes in how your dog walks, rather than whether they can walk at all, are what matter most. If walking is still possible but no longer looks confident or natural, IVDD should stay on your list of possibilities rather than being ruled out.
What combinations of signs should make me seriously suspect IVDD?
No single sign can tell you for sure whether your dog has IVDD. The real clue is patterns, not isolated moments. When owners ask “could my dog have IVDD?”, it’s usually because several small things don’t quite add up anymore.
You should seriously suspect IVDD when two or more changes appear together. Common combinations include stiffness after rest plus hesitation to jump, brief yelps linked to movement plus cautious walking, or back pain paired with noticeable behaviour changes like withdrawal or irritability. These are classic signs your dog may have IVDD, even if each one seems mild on its own.
Another red flag is repetition. If the same signs keep returning, improve, and then come back again, that pattern matters. IVDD often behaves this way in the early stages. When discomfort, movement changes, and behaviour shifts start forming a consistent pattern, it’s reasonable to move from wondering “could my dog have IVDD?” to treating it as a real possibility that deserves attention rather than guesswork.
Can I know for sure at home - or do I need a vet to confirm IVDD?
It’s understandable to want a clear answer at home, but the truth is simple: IVDD cannot be diagnosed at home. You can recognise warning signs and patterns, but only a vet can confirm what’s actually happening inside the spine. So if you’re asking “can IVDD be diagnosed at home?”, the honest answer is no.
This is because how IVDD is diagnosed involves assessing the nervous system and, in many cases, using imaging to see the spinal discs and cord. A vet looks at reflexes, pain response, coordination, and strength to determine whether the signs point to IVDD or another condition that can look similar.
What you can do at home is decide whether IVDD is likely enough to justify that next step. If signs are repeating, combining, or changing how your dog moves and behaves, you don’t need certainty - you need confirmation. At that point, a veterinary assessment isn’t overreacting; it’s the only way to get a clear answer and protect your dog from avoidable worsening.
When should I stop guessing and see a vet?
If you’re asking “when to see a vet for IVDD?”, the answer is usually sooner than you think. Waiting for things to become obvious is how early IVDD often slips into more serious trouble. You don’t need dramatic symptoms to justify a visit.
You should take your dog to the vet for IVDD concerns if changes keep repeating, if several signs appear together, or if your dog’s movement or behaviour doesn’t feel the same as it used to. Hesitation, stiffness, brief pain, or cautious walking that lasts more than a few days - or comes and goes - is enough reason to stop guessing.
Trust matters here. If you find yourself repeatedly wondering “should I take my dog to the vet - could this be IVDD?”, that uncertainty is itself a signal. Seeing a vet isn’t about assuming the worst; it’s about getting clarity while the condition is still easier to manage and before more serious damage has a chance to develop.
So… does my dog have IVDD?
There isn’t a simple yes or no answer you can reach at home. Asking “does my dog have IVDD?” is really about judging likelihood, not certainty. IVDD is rarely confirmed by one clear sign - it’s suggested by patterns, repeat changes, and the sense that your dog’s movement or comfort isn’t what it used to be.
If the signs you’ve noticed are isolated and truly one-off, IVDD may be less likely. But if changes keep returning, combine with each other, or slowly shift how your dog moves, behaves, or reacts to everyday activity, IVDD deserves to be taken seriously rather than dismissed.
Knowing when IVDD should be on your radar is already a step forward. Early recognition doesn’t mean jumping to conclusions - it means giving your dog the best chance of staying comfortable, mobile, and supported by acting before the situation becomes harder to manage.
We focus on helping owners support dogs with mobility and comfort issues.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional veterinary care.
