“1 in 4 Dachshunds will suffer from IVDD in their lifetime.”
That’s not a rare breed quirk. That’s a full-blown crisis for short-legged, long-bodied pups across the country—and they’re not alone. Corgis, Basset Hounds, and even tiny Papillons are all at risk.
When it hits, IVDD can feel like it’s stealing your pet’s spark overnight. One minute they’re chasing squirrels, the next—they’re hunched, trembling, unable to walk, or even stand.
But recovery is possible. And it doesn’t always require surgery or sedation.
Luma delivers safe, drug-free red and infrared light therapy right to the spine—helping reduce inflammation, ease pain, and support nerve repair in pets with IVDD.
Understanding IVDD in Pets
IVDD—Intervertebral Disc Disease—is a spinal condition that can range from “a bit stiff” to full-blown paralysis. It happens when the discs between the vertebrae (those little cushioning pads) deteriorate, bulge, or burst. The inner material pushes on the spinal cord and nerves, causing intense pain and sometimes nerve damage.
It’s most common in certain breeds because of genetics. But age, injury, or repetitive motion can also trigger it.
Signs of IVDD include:
Reluctance to move or jump
Arched back or stiff neck
Weakness or paralysis in the back legs
Knuckling or dragging paws
Loss of bladder or bowel control
It’s painful. It’s scary. But it’s not a death sentence. With early intervention and the right therapy plan, many dogs walk—and even run—again.
Not sure if light therapy fits your dog’s condition?
Download our vet-reviewed Red-Light Therapy Roadmap, a 5-minute guide that explains how light flips the “heal” switch in your pet’s cells, safety do’s and don’ts, and how to match therapy to your dog’s condition.
”Gideon’s life completely changed after we started using the Luma for IVDD pain in his neck and lower back! It was the perfect solution for him—no more stressful vet visits or uncomfortable handling, which he absolutely dislikes. Shortly after we began using the Luma, it was like getting our happy, playful boy back! Gideon became bouncy, social, and full of energy again. Before IVDD, he loved chasing critters and enthusiastically shaking his toys around, but as the pain set in, he became hesitant to run, withdrawn, and spent a lot of time isolating in his bedroom. Thanks to the Luma, he’s thriving! He is back to his playful, social, critter-chasing self, and enjoying life to the fullest. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the results— it’s been a total game-changer!” -Kristen Hanley
Luma uses targeted red (635nm) and near-infrared (850nm) light to penetrate deep into the tissues around your pet’s spine. These wavelengths aren’t random—they’re chosen for a reason:
635nm stimulates healing at the skin and soft tissue level.
850nm reaches deeper into joints, nerves, and bones.
And here’s why it matters for IVDD:
💥 Relieves Pain – Red light triggers endorphins (your pet’s natural painkillers) and modulates pain signals in the spine.
🔥 Reduces Inflammation – Less swelling around the spinal cord = less compression, less nerve damage, and faster recovery.
🧬 Supports Nerve Repair – PBM promotes cellular energy (ATP), collagen production, and circulation—all essential for nerve healing and tissue repair.
❤️ Improves Neurological Recovery – In dogs with surgical IVDD cases, red light therapy has been linked to faster return to walking when used as part of rehab.
See how it all comes together:
Watch our free masterclass, The 15-Minute Miracle: From Chronic Pain to Playtime
This isn’t fringe science. Red and near-infrared light therapy has been studied for decades—and it’s making waves in both human and veterinary medicine.
Here’s what the research says:
📚 In dogs recovering from spinal surgery, red light therapy improved neurological scores and shortened time to regain walking function when used with rehab (Modified Frankel Score ≥3 in 30 days, if deep pain was intact).
🧪 In rat models, 660nm and 810nm light reduced inflammatory markers like TNF-α and COX-2—both associated with spinal cord injury.
🧠 In humans, near-infrared therapy (800–1200nm) significantly reduced chronic low back pain—with no side effects reported.
💉 Light penetrates deep—especially in the 800–850nm range—reaching spinal structures without being absorbed by superficial skin or fur.
Luma was designed with these findings in mind.
🧠 Want to know how Luma stacks up against other pet lasers?
Read The Smart Pet Parent’s Guide to Choosing a Red-Light Therapy Device.
It’s a vet-backed ebook that breaks down specs, red flags, and side-by-side comparisons; so you buy with confidence, not confusion.
🔬 PBM is safe. Repeatable. Backed by evidence. And unlike drugs, it doesn’t just mask symptoms—it supports healing from the inside out.
Safe, Soothing, and Designed for At-Home Use
Crash
”During a portion of Crash’s rehab for his IVDD, we were using Luma for daily sessions. He improved so much in such a small amount of time. Now he is stable and pain-free, and uses Luma only once a week. I have so many thanks to give Luma.” – Samual Koch
🩺 Your next step: Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation
A MedcoVet clinician will assess your pet’s mobility, explain exactly how light therapy can help, and build a custom plan for your dog’s spine- no cost, no pressure.
“When my miniature dachshund, Ella, underwent her first IVDD surgery, it was a challenging time for both of us. She…”
Ella
IVDD
“When my miniature dachshund, Ella, underwent her first IVDD surgery, it was a challenging time for both of us. She was in significant pain despite being on multiple medications, and I desperately wanted an alternative solution that didn’t involve adding more pills to her regimen. That’s when her rehab veterinarian recommended the MedcoVet Luma, and it truly became a game-changer.
We’ve been using the Luma therapy every day for the past two years, and I can’t say enough about how much it has helped Ella. Initially, it played a vital role in managing her post-surgery pain, providing her with much-needed relief. Over time, it’s become an essential part of her routine, helping to prevent painful flare-ups and keeping her comfortable and active.
Not only has the MedcoVet Luma been effective, but it’s also incredibly easy to use at home. It has saved us countless trips to the vet’s office and significantly reduced our expenses for in-clinic laser therapy. Most importantly, it has given Ella a better quality of life—and as a pet parent, that’s priceless.
I wholeheartedly recommend the MedcoVet Luma to anyone dealing with similar challenges. It’s been a lifeline for Ella, and I know it can make a difference for others too.”
“Simon is a 15-year-old 80 lb goldendoodle who led a very active life hiking 3 mi a day until he…”
Simon
Degenerative Disc Disease
“Simon is a 15-year-old 80 lb goldendoodle who led a very active life hiking 3 mi a day until he was 14 years old. At 14 he developed degenerative disc disease and cannot get up anymore on his own. He was in a lot of pain and our veterinarian suggested the Luma. It has been the best thing we could have ever done for Simon. We use it every night on him on all his limbs and his spine. He doesn’t cry anymore when he goes to sleep and he’s much more active. We do help him get up but once he’s up he can walk around without any pain. Thank you so much Luma for helping Simon and us”
“The luma helped Teddy with his IVDD. There was a noticeable improvement in his symptoms soon after treating. He…”
Teddy
IVDD
“The luma helped Teddy with his IVDD. There was a noticeable improvement in his symptoms soon after treating. He had many health issues and was unable to take most pain medications. This device helped improve his quality of life greatly and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to try it. Teddy was also very stressed with any type of restraint or vet visits, so the fact that I could treat him at home while he was laying down was also extremely helpful.”
“Shaw-neh has IVDD a Bilateral Cruciate disease. There were days my little girl had trouble just getting around. Shawneh has…”
Shaw-neh
Shaw-new has bilateral cruciate, herniated L7 S1 an has groin issues. Some times she has had soft tissue issues in her cervical region.
“Shaw-neh has IVDD a Bilateral Cruciate disease. There were days my little girl had trouble just getting around. Shawneh has a hunting background with both parents, so she is quite active. This helped give Shawneh a quality of life, to enjoy her walks and hiking with me. She’s my side kick an on days that she couldn’t function all I had too do was use the laser! Sometimes all I had too do was just show her the laser and she would assume her position on her bed for her treatment! I KNOW this works for her!!! But better yet,,SHE knows it works!!”
“We were desperate to find a solution to Norman’s pain. He was unable to walk and could not even get…”
Norman
Pinched nerve or slipped disc
“We were desperate to find a solution to Norman’s pain. He was unable to walk and could not even get comfortable laying down. He would sit like a bear and pivot from left foot to right foot. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right front foot. We couldn’t afford a $10,000 MRI, so I went the natural route and took him to an animal chiropractor. She was very patient and loving with poor Norman. She would adjust him and then give him some ‘scritches’ and then a treat and then the Luma device. We saw a pretty decent improvement with his pain level in just a few uses. I was very interested to learn more about this Luma device. I read everything I could find on it and I wanted to buy one . My animal chiropractor suggested renting it for a bit until she could find one for me to buy. We rented for about 4 months. I used it religiously three to five times a day on Norman. We saw great improvements with the Luma. Within a few weeks Norman was able to stand again without help. He still wasn’t putting any weight on that front paw and it hurt him to limp but he was standing to eat and could potty on his own again. Week after week we saw slight improvements. By week 9 he was walking with a limp. The pain was manageable and controlled at this point. Then on week 17 we turned a corner! Very slight limp and full weight on his front foot. Pain was minimal. It was so exciting! We got our sweet Norman back. He was happy again. It was miracle! Thank you for sharing your miracle red light healing Luma. We are forever grateful to you for bringing our sweet Norman back to a pain free, limp free life.”
“The Luma helped my dog with neck and spine pain. With the help of the Luma my dog was able…”
Roxy
Helped her walk again I can’t remember the name of the disease but her legs gave out on her all 4 with the help of the Luma and Chinese herbs Roxy was able to walk again within a couple weeks,IVDD
“The Luma helped my dog with neck and spine pain. With the help of the Luma my dog was able to run and use her legs within a couple weeks!”
“During a portion of Crash’s rehab for his IVDD, we were using Luma for daily sessions. He improved so much…”
Crash
IVDD, arthritis
“During a portion of Crash’s rehab for his IVDD, we were using Luma for daily sessions. He improved so much in such a small amount of time. Now he is stable and pain-free, and uses Luma only once a week. I have so many thanks to give Luma.”
“The Luma device eased Birdie’s hind leg pains. It brought tears to my eyes when I first saw her get…”
Birdie
muscle spasms in back legs,IVDD
“The Luma device eased Birdie’s hind leg pains. It brought tears to my eyes when I first saw her get “zoomies” in the backyard – it’s been a while since she felt good enough to zip around!”
“Syre suffered from excruciating IVDD flares that would cause back, leg, and facial spasms. Using the Luma device helped to…”
Syre
IVDD and other musculoskeletal pain
“Syre suffered from excruciating IVDD flares that would cause back, leg, and facial spasms. Using the Luma device helped to reduce inflammation and pain during IVDD flares. And we’ve had a reduction in IVDD flares since using the device on a regular basis. Being able to provide cold laser therapy to my dog at home saves us time and money, and we can adjust the treatment schedule to more/less frequent treatments depending on his health. This has been a game-changer in managing his IVDD. Thank you, Medco!”
“Luma red light therapy has been an incredible tool in my senior dog Autumn’s health journey. At nearly 16 years…”
Autumn
Pemphigus Foliaceous and IVDD
“Luma red light therapy has been an incredible tool in my senior dog Autumn’s health journey. At nearly 16 years old, Autumn has faced some tough challenges, including pemphigus foliaceus (a rare autoimmune skin disease) and IVDD, which has left her unable to use her back legs. When conventional treatments had limitations, I turned to holistic support to help her feel as comfortable and vibrant as possible.
Luma became a key part of her routine, and I truly believe it made a difference. It helped calm and support her skin when her autoimmune condition flared, and as IVDD progressed, I noticed it helped prolong her mobility and reduce discomfort. Even though she can no longer walk, she’s still enjoying life—going on hikes, taking road trips, and staying engaged in all the adventures we love. For any pet parent looking to support their dog’s health naturally, I can’t recommend Luma enough. It’s easy to use, safe, and something I wish I had started even earlier. Thank you, Luma, for being a part of our holistic routine and helping me give Autumn the best quality of life possible!”
“Tucker is a 12-year-old Doxie mix who has been dealing with “long dog back problems” for about four years. Unfortunately,…”
Tucker
Tucker has chronic IVDD.
“Tucker is a 12-year-old Doxie mix who has been dealing with “long dog back problems” for about four years. Unfortunately, Doxies are known for being incredibly stubborn, and Tucker is no exception—he doesn’t always know his limits. We often find him on tables, running up and downstairs, or sprinting to the door to bark at delivery people. It’s no surprise that he occasionally experiences flare-ups of back pain.
During his first few episodes of IVDD, he was completely crate-bound for weeks. Now, we incorporate the Luma into his recovery plan, and we’ve found that it helps shorten the duration of his flare-ups and gets him back to normal more quickly. We know this is a critical part of his care, and we’re grateful that our rehab vet suggested adding it to our at-home routine.
Before, I had to schedule appointments with the vet—hoping they had an opening—and drive there for laser treatments. Now, we can do it more frequently and cost-effectively from home, which has made a huge difference in Tucker’s recovery. It’s been wonderful to see him return to his usual antics!”
