Wobbler syndrome is a neurologic disease of dogs that affects their spine in the neck region. It is a very important and common cause of neurologic disability in large breed dogs.
There is no cure for Wobblers, and depending on how advanced the symptoms become, sometimes treatment isn't effective.
Treating Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs
Treating Wobbler Syndrome depends on the location and severity of the problem. Cervical (neck) surgery is typically recommended for the best chance of improvement, but as with any surgery, there is always a risk of complications.
The signs of wobbler syndrome start out as very subtle, and you may barely notice them, but they gradually get worse and become more noticeable with time. The first thing you might notice would usually be weakness or incoordination of the hind legs. Over time, the front legs may become affected also.
Dobermans usually have the classic form of the disease in large breed dogs whereas Great Danes have the typical form seen in Giant breeds. Other breeds are Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Weimaraners, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain dogs, Swiss Mountain dogs, but any large or giant breed dog can have the disease.
How Long Do Dogs With Wobbler's Syndrome Live For? The prognosis of wobbler's syndrome in dogs is fairly dependent on the severity of the condition and spinal cord compression. The average survival time, according to studies done by Ohio State University, is approximately 4 years.
The most common clinical sign of wobbler syndrome is a 'wobbly', uncoordinated gait, with a tendency to stumble and scuff their feet. Some dogs have neck pain, although many do not show any sign of discomfort. Signs can progress to complete paralysis of all four limbs.
Recovery of Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs
The dog will need to be walked on a leash with a chest harness. If your dog is young and still growing, a low protein diet may be recommended to slow down growth. This is common in the giant breeds such as Great Danes.
Most giant breed dogs with wobbler syndrome are diagnosed before the age of three, although symptoms may emerge later in life. Doberman pinschers and other large-breed dogs with wobbler syndrome usually present to the veterinarian for clinical symptoms when they are a bit older- the mean age of onset is 6 years.
A middle-aged form, the so-called “disk-associated” or type II wobbler syndrome, affects large breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher and Bernese Mountain Dog. Typically dogs develop signs in early to mid-adulthood (4 – 9 years) but occasionally will have signs earlier.
Anti-Anxiety Effects
Treat wobbler syndrome with CBD. CBD may help your puppy, as it can reduce anxiety and let them sleep better. The benefits of CBD are not limited to just wobbler syndrome. It also helps your puppy to deal with pain resulting from arthritis and can keep its limbs healthy for a long time.
For the most part, Wobbler Syndrome can't be prevented because it is genetic in nature. However, sometimes the condition arises when puppies grow too fast, so monitoring your dog's diet to prevent rapid growth can help you avoid, or reduce the severity of, Wobbler Syndrome.
Wobbler syndrome is typically a progressive disease most commonly found in larger dog breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes and Mastiffs. “Symptoms can vary widely from mild neck pain to an inability to walk in all four limbs,” said Dr. Steele.
What is the cause of Wobbler Syndrome? The underlying cause has not been completely determined yet but it seems to be a combination of disc degeneration (when the cushion between the vertebrae break down and no longer provide cushion for the vertebrae bones) and cervical spine instability.
Still, in other cases, ataxia and other clinical signs may worsen over time, becoming severe enough that euthanasia is considered. Many ataxic dogs can still have a good quality of life with appropriate home modification. Make sure to block off sharp corners and fall risks, such as stairs.
But a serious genetic abnormality could affect your large or giant breed dog and you might miss the subtle signs. The name of this painful condition: Wobbler's Syndrome.
Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.
If your dog suddenly loses their sense of balance they could be suffering from any of the following serious health problem. This means your dog requires immediate attention and you should get to a veterinary hospital right away .
Causes of Neurological Disorders in Dogs. Neurological conditions are commonly caused by genetic disorders, and some breeds are more prone to them. They can also be caused by cancer, trauma, and toxins. Brain tumors may be the root cause of a dog's seizures or behavior changes.
Bone associated wobbler syndrome (BAWS) and disc associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS) in dogs can be treated either medically or surgically. However, both conditions are considered surgical diseases and medical conservative treatment is associated with a guarded prognosis.
Typically the fore limbs have a shortened stride with a choppy action and the hind limbs look disconnected. Inability to walk and incontinence are very common with cervical spondylopathy.
A dog's tail has 20 vertebrae (although some breeds with short tails have less) and can pack a pretty good wallop. Happy tail syndrome in dogs occurs when this strong tail repeatedly hits solid objects with force during a wagging session, resulting in the thin skin of the tail splitting open.
Time from onset of clinical signs to euthanasia varied from 6 months to 6.5 years, with the majority of affected dogs surviving from 2 to 4 years.
Wobbler disease is also known as cervical vertebral instability, cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM), and cervical vertebral malformation (CVM). In dogs, the disease is most common in large breeds, especially Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers.