Intervertebral Disc Disease
What is a disc extrusion or ‘slipped disc’?
The intervertebral discs are composed of an outer capsule and an inner gel-like material that act as a shock-absorber between the bones of the spine (vertebrae), when we move.
In chondrodystrophic breeds, such as dachshunds, there is a degeneration of the material within the discs that becomes thicker and more toothpaste-like. This changes the forces distributed across the disc during movement and a sudden force, such as jumping off furniture, can cause the capsule to burst open, releasing or ‘herniating’ the material into the vertebral canal. This can cause spinal cord compression and bruising.
