When IVDD Symptoms Aren't What They Seem: Sausage's Health Journey

A real owner story about misdiagnosis, persistence, and the importance of looking beyond breed-specific conditions.

As dachshund owners, we're all too familiar with the dreaded four letters: IVDD. Intervertebral Disc Disease affects up to 25% of dachshunds, making every wobble or reluctance to move a potential red flag. But sometimes, what looks like IVDD isn't IVDD at all - as we discovered through our own frightening journey with Sausage.

The First Warning Signs

It started in February 2024 with a scene that would become all too familiar. We found Sausage under the kitchen table, her breakfast half eaten - completely out of character for our food-obsessed girl. She looked scared and walked with a slight wobble for a step or two before seemingly returning to normal within minutes.

Our vet advised monitoring her, noting that true IVDD symptoms typically don't disappear so quickly. We breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was just a one-off incident.

The Pattern Emerges

Nine months later, in November 2024, it happened again - but worse. This time, Sausage was sick alongside the wobbly walking and obvious distress. Convinced her back had "gone", we rushed to our vet and then to a specialist.

Understanding IVDD: Intervertebral Disc Disease occurs when the cushioning discs between vertebrae bulge or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord. Symptoms include back pain, reluctance to move, weakness in hind legs, and in severe cases, paralysis. It's particularly common in dachshunds due to their long spines and short legs.

The specialist suspected a slipped disc that hadn't fully herniated. Sausage was sentenced to four weeks of strict crate rest - no walks, no jumping, minimal movement. She hated every second, acting completely normal when allowed out for toilet breaks, which made the confinement even more heartbreaking.

After her rest period, she seemed recovered. The vets weren't overly concerned, advising surgery at a later point only if absolutely necessary. We became hypervigilant about jumping and exercise, thinking we'd dodged a bullet.

Insurance Reality Check

Ensure your pet insurance covers at least £8,000 for IVDD treatment. We discovered our £5,000 limit wasn't enough when facing potential surgery costs. Don't make the same mistake - check your coverage limits before you need them, as IVDD operations can be significantly more expensive than many owners realise.

The Plot Thickens

February 2025 brought the third episode, following the same pattern: morning occurrence, always after eating, followed by vomiting and wobbliness that resolved within minutes. This time, our vets began questioning the IVDD diagnosis.

True IVDD symptoms don't typically disappear moments after being sick. Something else was happening.

A week later, Sausage saw both a cardiologist and neurologist. After various tests, they remained puzzled but suggested we document any future episodes on video, checking her gum colour and monitoring pulse and breathing. They introduced a new possibility: toxicity.

Understanding Toxicity in Dogs: Toxicity refers to poisoning where substances damage the body's tissues, organs, or processes. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like wobbliness or confusion. Unlike IVDD, toxic reactions can appear and resolve quickly, especially if the dog vomits up the offending substance.

The Breakthrough Moment

March 2025 delivered our most terrifying episode yet - and our breakthrough. Thirty minutes after breakfast, Sausage came upstairs looking shocked and movement still. Her back legs couldn't support her properly, then she was violently sick.

What happened next still haunts us: she appeared to have a mini-seizure, though vets later explained this was likely her losing balance and nearly passing out rather than a true seizure.

Crucially, we captured everything on video.

The Real Culprit

Armed with footage, our vets were almost certain: toxicity, not IVDD. Despite Sausage eating the same food daily without daily symptoms, they explained that toxic substances can build up gradually, with the body reacting irregularly as tolerance levels are exceeded.

The common thread? Every episode occurred after eating, suggesting food-related toxicity rather than spinal issues.

We immediately changed her diet, switching to different protein sources and completely different ingredients.

Three Months and Counting

It's now June 2025, and touch wood, Sausage has been symptom-free since changing her diet. She's back to her happy, healthy, food-obsessed self. While we're not completely out of the woods, we're cautiously optimistic we've found the root cause.

I will continue to update this blog with any relevant updates.

The Lesson for Dachshund Owners

Sausage's story highlights a crucial point: breed predisposition can sometimes lead to tunnel vision. Because dachshunds are prone to IVDD, it's easy for both owners and vets to assume back problems when neurological symptoms appear.

However, dogs are individuals, and symptoms can have multiple causes. Persistence, detailed observation, and video documentation proved invaluable in reaching the correct diagnosis.

If your dachshund shows concerning symptoms, don't hesitate to seek second opinions or specialist consultations. Sometimes the obvious answer isn't the right one.

Have you experienced unusual health issues with your dachshund? We want to hear your story so we can share it with the community. Email us at hello@thesausagedog.shop to share your experience and help other sausage dog owners.