Write down the essentials
- Medication names, doses, times, and stop dates from the vet
- Allowed movement and the date of the next review
- Toileting instructions and a contact for urgent concerns
Sudden weakness, inability to walk, or trouble urinating? Contact a veterinarian immediately.
The IVDD family guide
Small steps. A little more confidence.
Home care is easier when everyone knows the plan. Use these conversation starters and checklists alongside your dog's discharge instructions.
Before coming home
Leave with a plan you understand.
Recovery can take weeks to months. Rest, nursing support, and rehabilitation needs vary. Ask your veterinary team to demonstrate the care your dog needs before discharge.
Ask for a demonstration
- How should we lift and support our dog?
- What should the rest area look like?
- What should we do if a dose is missed or a new symptom appears?
At home
Build a calm, manageable routine.
Rest & comfort
Follow the prescribed confinement and activity limits. Soft bedding and skin checks matter for dogs who cannot reposition themselves. Ask about stairs, furniture, harnesses, and safe handling.
Bladder & skin care
Some dogs need help emptying their bladder. Have the veterinary team teach you if this is needed. Ask how to monitor urine and keep skin clean and dry.
Rehabilitation
Ask when rehabilitation can begin and which activities are appropriate. Home exercises, walks, and water therapy should follow an individualized veterinary plan.
Everyday adaptations
Discuss weight management and ways to reduce jumping. If mobility aids are appropriate, ask about fitting and supervised use.
A practical family checklist
Keep the details in one place.
- Choose one place for discharge papers, invoices, and clinic contacts.
- Make a shared schedule so medication and care tasks are not duplicated.
- Record appetite, toileting, comfort, and changes to discuss with the vet.
- Keep a list of questions for the next recheck.
- Arrange help with household tasks so the main caregiver gets a break.
A simple notebook is enough. Ask your team which observations are useful for your dog and when to report them.
Make room for hope, too.
Elsie, the dog who inspired this organization, lives a joyful life with a wheelchair. Her story is one family's experience; your veterinary team can help you consider your own dog's comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Read Joe and Elsie's story →