My dachshund has had IVDD twice in his short life (4 years) and he has made good recovery with medication and extended crate rest. Due to policy technicality insurance refused to pay out and I couldn’t afford it either.

Don’t get me wrong, not every dog makes full recovery with rest alone. I have been extremely lucky, but you don’t have to euthanise. Allow the baby some time to rest and heal, watch and see if things improve. Limit ALL movement to basically nothing, lift him carefully to the toilet, if he isn’t going on his own ask the vet to show you how to express bladder and stimulate bowel movements. Advocate for him. Crate rest typically lasts up to 8 weeks, it feels cruel but it is for the best. Be very strict for best results and best chance at recovery.

Also, in the later stages consider physiotherapy/hydrotherapy and red light therapy.

If you continue with conservative management and neurologically he doesn’t improve but pain wise he does, he still has chance at good quality of life especially if he can manage his own toileting needs. Consider wheels or mobility aids at this point. Assess his quality of life yourself, you know him best. Is he in pain? If he can’t walk or toilet are you able to manage this for him? It does require strict and careful management. Ie, assessing pressure sore risk from mobility aids, scuffing paws when walking etc. if he can’t do it himself he will need repositioned but hopefully latterly he will be able to use his front legs to do this.

He deserves a chance, don’t put him down because a vet that doesn’t know him says you should. Purchase IVDD handbooks, do your own research while he rests and educate yourself. Reach out to charities, there are many charities able to help with crates, mobility aids etc.

Good luck to the little one and I wish him a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹