IVDD

Preventing IVDD In Dogs

If you have a dog or puppy, it is important to understand what you can do proactively to prevent him or her from developing IVDD, whether your puppy carries the IVDD gene or not!  In this article, we provide some good information about the IVDD gene and what steps you can take to proactively prevent IVDD from developing in your pet.  We also provide the basic holistic healthcare approach we would use if any of our dogs ever developed IVDD.  

 A Word Of Caution  

Conventional immunizations and flea, tick, and heartworm medications are extremely dangerous to pets, especially dogs who carry the IVDD gene. These conventional medications cause auto-immunity and a whole host of neurological problems in your pet. We never recommend that these products be used on any pet with the IVDD gene, as these treatments dramatically increase the risk that your pet will develop IVDD!

Important Things To Understand About The IVDD Gene

  • In general, genetics do not definitively determine health and longevity of any living being.  This is because genes can be switched on (activated) and switched off (deactivated) by lifestyle factors. 
  • A reproductive veterinarian that works closely with lots of high-end breeders, including breeder friends and mentors of ours - says in his extensive experience, he has never seen a cross-bred dog develop IVDD, regardless of whether or not they carry the IVDD gene.  He claims in his practice, IVDD is a genetic issue among pure-bred dogs.
  • Certain breeds - like Daschunds & Corgis - are much more prone to developing IVDD because of their body shape (extra long backs and short legs).
  • Other breeds - like Toy Poodles, Maltese, Maltipoos, etc. - have a much lower risk of developing IVDD (even if they carry the gene), because they have a healthier, more stable body structure.
  • If a dog carries the IVDD gene, it DOES NOT mean they will develop IVDD.
  • If a dog carries 1 copy of the IVDD gene, they are not at significant risk of developing IVDD from the gene alone.
  • If a dog carries 2 copies of the IVDD gene, they are at a higher risk of developing IVDD.
  • Lifestyle factors - such as being overweight, poorly nourished, conventionally vaccinated, etc. - contribute more to the development of IVDD than carrying 1 copy of the IVDD gene does.
  • A dog without a good lifestyle that does not carry the IVDD gene is more likely to develop IVDD than a dog with a good lifestyle who does carry the IVDD gene.
  • If a dog is overweight, for example, that dog is 67% more likely to develop IVDD even if they don't carry the IVDD gene.
  • Conventional vaccinations create auto-antibodies in 100% of puppies who receive them, according to the 1999 Purdue University Study "Vaccine-Induced Autoimmunity In The Dog".  By contrast, the unvaccinated puppies in the control group created 0 auto-antibodies.
  • Conventionally-vaccinated dogs are much more likely to develop IVDD (even if they don't carry the gene) because the vaccines create auto-antibodies to multiple forms of collagen in the body.  These auto-antibodies likely contribute to the development of joint and back issues because collagen is critical to their proper function. 
  • Dogs cared for conventionally have a much higher risk of developing IVDD than those cared for holistically because the medications (vaccinations, flea/tick/heartworm meds, antibiotics, etc.) all create the perfect storm for the development of autoimmune disease and neurological diseases like IVDD.
  • Dogs cared for holistically - by contrast - have a much lower risk of developing IVDD because their lifestyle includes far less toxic exposure and better nutrition.

Preventing IVDD: Other Pages

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