IVDD in Dogs: Milo’s Story #1882

In this episode, Chris Cochrane tells the story of his dog Milo, who was paralyzed by intervertebral disc disease. He walks through the emergency surgery, the cost of care, and the long road of recovery at home. Chris also shares the GoFundMe he started to help with Milo’s medical bills.

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Full Summary

Chris Cochrane opens with a personal reflection on a hard year. His father, Todd Cochrane, founded this show and passed away suddenly a little over a year ago. Chris and Ray took over the show after that. Chris says this past year has been one of the most difficult of his life.

This episode departs from the usual tech news. It centers on Milo, Chris’s dog, who became paralyzed a little over five weeks before recording. Chris walks through the diagnosis, the surgery, and daily life since then.

Meet Milo

Milo is Chris’s five-year-old dog and, in his words, his best friend. Chris got him around age 18, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he needed a companion. Milo has a lot of anxiety and can be loud and energetic, so he isn’t a perfect fit for everyone. Chris calls him the perfect amount of love and the perfect amount of headache.

The Surgery Bill and the GoFundMe

Milo’s surgery cost $14,000. Chris is in his early twenties, and he financed the surgery on a CareCredit card. He says the card has been a lifesaver because he can pay it off without worrying about heavy interest. He notes that CareCredit is not a sponsor.

Family and friends urged Chris to start a GoFundMe to help manage Milo’s outstanding medical expenses and ongoing care. Chris says no one should feel pressured to donate. Sharing the campaign helps too, and he says any kind of support matters. The campaign is a personal fundraiser and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s sponsors. You can read more on Milo’s GoFundMe page.

What IVDD Is

Dogs have discs between the bones of their spine. These discs act as cushions and help the spine move. In intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD, a disc can degenerate, bulge, or rupture. When disc material presses on the spinal cord, it can cause pain, inflammation, and nerve damage.

Symptoms range from back pain and weakness to difficulty walking and paralysis. Severe cases can also affect bladder and bowel control. Chris stresses that IVDD is more than a sore back. A dog can seem completely normal one day and suffer a serious spinal injury the next.

Chris says French bulldogs, corgis, and dachshunds are among the breeds prone to IVDD. He cites an estimate that about 2 percent of dogs develop clinical IVDD during their lifetime. He says he loved French bulldogs as a teenager and never thought about future medical bills.

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