Affordable Dog IVDD

09/26/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc02FF8R_s8/?stkn=MXBkcWxpc2swdW9vcg==

09/24/2026

T11-T12 Hemilaminectomy + Spinal Cord Durotomy 🐾🙏
From being paralyzed with no clear deep pain response to running again in less than 6 weeks. 🙏
Some owners are definitely braver than others.
This dog came to us with no obvious deep pain response—or at best, an equivocal response. Occasionally, he would slightly move his head when a toe was pinched, but other times he showed absolutely no response, even with a significant stimulus. Because of that inconsistency, it was difficult to determine whether he was truly perceiving the pain.
Given the uncertainty about when he had deteriorated and the lack of a consistent deep pain response, I gave his owners a poor prognosis for returning to walking.
The owners asked me to video call them so they could see their dog and discuss the situation. They looked at him and simply said:
“Do it.”
For these more severe cases, there is an additional procedure that can sometimes be performed called a spinal cord durotomy.
After removing the portion of the vertebral bone and accessing the spinal canal where the spinal cord was being compressed by the mineralized disc material (“pebble”) seen on CT, I opened the dura mater—the outer covering of the spinal cord itself
This is one of those cases that reminds me why we continue to offer these procedures.
We are doing this for people who, after being given the option of referral to a veterinary neurologist, simply cannot afford the cost of specialty care.
We’ve had patients travel from other states to have these procedures performed. We’ve even had owners cancel plans to travel to other countries after finding us and deciding to have their pet treated here.
And sometimes, the outcome reminds you why you take the chance. ❤️
Paralyzed → walking → running in less than 6 weeks.
🙏🐾
For those interested in the research behind spinal cord durotomy in these difficult cases:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166788/

12/04/2025

If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD or a herniated disc, you’re not alone. Here are the top questions we hear from pet parents — and what you need to know. 💛
1️⃣ What Is IVDD?
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a spinal condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae degenerate, bulge, or rupture, putting pressure on the spinal cord.
This can lead to:
🧩 Pain
⚡ Weakness or wobbliness
🐕 Difficulty walking
🚫 In severe cases, paralysis
Early diagnosis is key to protecting your dog’s mobility and comfort.
2️⃣ How Successful Is Surgery?
Success depends heavily on timing and whether deep pain is still present.
✅ Over 90% success rate when dogs still have deep pain and receive surgery quickly
⚠️ If deep pain is lost, the success rate can drop to ~50% or lower
⏳ Delaying treatment can worsen spinal cord injury and recovery odds
Prompt action makes a big difference.
3️⃣ What Are the Risks?
While most dogs recover well, all surgeries carry potential risks:
🐾 Incomplete recovery
💧 Possible incontinence or long-term mobility issues
🩸 Bleeding, infection, or swelling
🦴 Rarely: spinal instability
❌ Very rare but serious: progressive myelomalacia (fatal spinal deterioration)
Your surgical team will assess and minimize these risks as much as possible.
4️⃣ What Does Surgery Cost?
Costs vary based on location, severity, and hospital capabilities.
💻 CT/MRI: $1,500–$5,000
🏥 Surgery + hospitalization + rehab: several thousand up to $10,000+
🏙️ Complex cases or specialty centers: $15,000 or more
Every case is unique, and your veterinarian can help you understand what’s needed.
5️⃣ What Does Recovery Look Like?
Nerves heal slowly, so patience is essential.
🛌 Weeks 1–8: strict rest, pain control, assisted walking, physical therapy
🐕 Weeks 8–12: most dogs regain walking; coordination improves
🌟 Continued progress for 3–6 months (sometimes longer)
Steady, consistent care leads to the best outcomes.
6️⃣ Who Is a Good Candidate for Surgery?
Good Candidates:
✅ Still have deep pain
✅ Symptoms for a short time
✅ Only one disc affected
✅ Medically stable for anesthesia
✅ Owner able to manage recovery
Poor Candidates:
❌ No deep pain for an extended time
❌ Multiple disc issues or severe spinal damage
❌ Serious underlying health concerns
❌ Limited ability for post-op care
If you have questions about IVDD or think your dog may be experiencing symptoms, we’re here to help. ❤️
Send us a message or call to schedule a consultation.

11/04/2025

A tour of our facility. If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), you know how stressful and costly spinal surgery can be.
🐶 We provide an additional affordable IVDD surgery for dogs in Florida for those unable to pursue specialized care with gold standard Boarded Neurologist/Surgeon.
Our mission is simple — to make advanced veterinary surgery accessible and compassionate for every pet owner. Whether you’re in Tampa, Clearwater, Orlando, or Miami, we’re here to help.
📍 Learn more or schedule a consultation: https://affordabledogivdd.co

10/01/2025

https://affordabledogivdd.com/our-articles/f/ivdd-surgery-in-dogs-a-complete-guide-for-pet-owners

If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), you may be wondering if surgery is the right option. IVDD is a serious spinal condition that can lead to pain, weakness, and even paralysis. In many...