Neurological

Dog Swimming for IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)

Core and paraspinal muscle is the disc's best friend, and it is very hard to build on land without compressing the spine. Private 30-minute sessions in a heated indoor pool at Bretherton, Lancashire.

Enquire about a session 07359 881320

WHAT IT IS

IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) in plain English

Degeneration or herniation of the discs between the vertebrae, pressing on the spinal cord. Common in Dachshunds, French Bulldogs and other long-backed or chondrodystrophic breeds.

We are a canine swimming and hydro pool, not a veterinary practice — this page explains how our sessions fit alongside the care your vet provides.

WHAT OWNERS NOTICE

Signs owners mention when they call us

arched back or tense abdomen

reluctance to jump or use stairs

wobbly or dragging back legs

yelping when picked up

knuckling of the hind paws

WHY THE POOL HELPS

Why warm water suits this problem

Core and paraspinal muscle is the disc's best friend, and it is very hard to build on land without compressing the spine. Swimming loads those muscles with the spine unweighted.

HOW IT WORKS

What the water is actually doing

No axial compression through the spine while the dog swims

Core stabilisers work continuously to keep the body level in the water

Hind-limb movement is encouraged in dogs that are starting to knuckle or drag

Warm water reduces the muscle spasm that often accompanies a disc episode

RECOMMENDED SESSION

We'd start with the Swim Coach session

Weekly in a rebuilding block, then maintenance — consistency matters more than intensity here.

In neurological cases the useful measure is quality of hind-limb movement in the water, and how well the dog holds itself level. Progress can be slow and non-linear.

£40 · 30 minutesCheck availability

YOUR FIRST VISIT

What the first session looks like

Careful lifting, ramp entry, coach in the water supporting the trunk. We watch back-leg movement constantly and stop early rather than late.

30 minutes

Arrive 10 minutes early

28–32°C water

Indoor, private pool

Towel & dryer

Included every visit

Before you book

Never swim a dog in an acute IVDD episode. Dogs recovering from a flare or from spinal surgery need written veterinary clearance, and we will follow any restriction the vet sets.

For ivdd (intervertebral disc disease) we need written clearance from your vet or surgeon before the first session.

QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED

IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease): your questions

Is swimming safe for a Dachshund with IVDD history?

For a dog that is stable and vet-cleared, controlled swimming is usually one of the safer ways to exercise, because there is no jumping and no spinal compression. During an active episode, no.

Can you help a dog that drags its back legs?

We can offer supported swimming as exercise where the vet is happy for it. We are not a neurological rehabilitation clinic and we will say so if a case needs one.