Submitted by J. Hudson on Fri, 07/11/2025 - 09:15
A pioneering enzyme injection treatment for dogs with severe intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) continues to show outstanding success at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH). The hospital remains the only centre in the UK offering this treatment, which provides a safe, less invasive, and significantly more affordable alternative to surgery for suitable patients.
The treatment, known as percutaneous intra-discal chondroitinase injection, involves delivering an enzyme directly into the damaged intervertebral discs. The enzyme dissolves part of the disc’s central material, helping to relieve pressure on the spinal cord without the need for open spinal surgery.
Following a successful clinical trial involving 54 dogs, run in collaboration with colleagues from Texas A&M University in the United States, the procedure was recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a routine veterinary practice. The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, demonstrated that dogs treated with chondroitinase injections regained the ability to walk at a similar rate to those who underwent surgery.
Since beginning routine treatment at the QVSH in early 2025, Professor Paul Freeman, European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology, has treated 32 dogs using the enzyme injections, of these, 24 have made a full recovery. These encouraging results have attracted national attention from both the veterinary profession and the public, highlighting the QVSH's leadership in advancing non-invasive spinal care for dogs.
The treatment is now available at the QVSH through a dedicated IVDD treatment package, which includes a full neurological consultation, MRI scan, and injections into multiple discs - please see our fixed price services page here. The hospital is also continuing to accept eligible dogs into the original clinical trial, which offers the injections at a reduced cost but without MRI or CT imaging.
The Department of Veterinary Medicine takes a multidisciplinary approach to tackling IVDD, focusing both on improving outcomes and preventing the disease in future generations. Alongside the work of the Neurology Team, researchers at the Canine Genetics Centre, also based at the Department, are investigating the genetic and biological factors that make certain breeds - particularly long-backed dogs such as dachshunds, a breed more susceptible to IVDD. Their work aims to develop effective genetic screening tools and raise awareness among prospective owners about inherited health risks, helping people make more informed choices when buying a dog.
For further information about chondroitinase injections for IVDD or the ongoing trial, contact:
Professor Paul Freeman – pf266@cam.ac.uk
QVSH Neurology Service – neuro@vet.cam.ac.uk
