It is up to the veterinary technician to manage the critical first stage of recovery, giving the dog the best chance for return of function. Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), which is the protrusion or extrusion of an intervertebral disk secondary to disk degeneration, is a common diagnosis in chondrodystrophic canine breeds -- breeds with short, thick legs -- such as the dachshund, cocker spaniel, and Pekingese. The intervertebral disks lie between the spinal vertebrae ventral to the spinal cord and serve as shock absorbers while allowing flexibility of the spine in multiple directions. When these disks bulge or rupture, the result is compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots and interference with the blood flow, producing varying degreesof neurologic dysfunction.
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