Wobblers Disease?

Question

Has anyone ever had a dog diagnosed with this disease & will you please explain the symptoms ? Thank you all in advance!!

Yes, the vet does suspect Wobblers Disease in one of my dogs.

Answer 1

I haven't seen this myself, but have talked to people who have dogs that have been diagnosed with Wobblers..

An unwillingness to bend the neck is usually the first sign, followed by weakness and lack of coordination in the rear limbs, progressing to weakness in the front limbs as well.

Check here tho.. I talked to this girl years ago now.. And she had great luck with her girl.. It's about a dog that she rescued and her ordeal with wobblers and how they helped out her dog.

http://hometown.aol.com/clcw/index.html

Like I said I don't have any personal experience, or even puppy people who have had the problem. I hear it more from people with danes than Dobermans.. So if you are searching check dane sites too.

Also search CVI or Cervical Vertebral Instability
http://petsurgery.com/wobblersyndrome.html

Answer 2

I have a Dane with wobblers. Hers isn't genetic though, hers is caused by an injury.
Some wobbler dogs have neck pain others do not. Most walk like they were drunk, have trouble walking on smooth floors, going up/down stairs, fall often, are unsteady...not all wobbler dogs have all symptoms though. Some are affected in front legs as well as back.

There is surgery but it is very expensive and is not guaranteed in many cases...gold bead implants are another option (Go to Dr. Terry Durkes site to learn more), acupuncture is also another option. The acupuncture is what I do with my dog. It has been tremendous help..she has had acupuncture now for @ 3 years. She went from barely being able to walk at all, not able to wag her tail or hold her head up to being a happy tail wagging dog that has earned her obedience title, rally title, certification as a therapy dog, doing parades & demos, etc. You can also join the yahoo wobblers group to..that might help you as well.

One thing I will tell you..avoid having a mylogram done if at all possible.There are far too many risk factors with it especially with Danes. Opt for an MRI instead. Also depending on the problem and what vertebrae it is located in x-rays may also be a big help. My girl had x-rays and her issue is c-6, c-7.

Answer 3

Great Danes are very prone to Wobblers. Take a look at the ginnie.com website, and go to the medical links. There is an extensive library on Wobblers there.

Edit - I'm so sorry to hear that. There are various treatments, depending on the severity, and the site of the problem. Some people have also used alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and gold bead implants.

Answer 4

Oh my ! My friends Dane had wobbler's. They did a milogram and found that is was not to bad. He live to be 10 years old. Did not really effect him too much. I hope the news will be just as good for you and your dog.

I'll say a prayer ok.

Answer 5

Wobbler disease is probably inherited in the Borzoi, Great Dane, Dobermann, and Basset Hound. Instability of the vertebrae of the neck (usually the caudal neck) causes spinal cord compression. In younger dogs such as Great Danes less than two years of age, wobbler disease is caused by stenosis (narrowing) of the vertebral canal. This narrowing of the canal is related to degeneration of the dorsal articular facets and subsequent thickening of the associated joint capsules and ligaments. A high protein diet may contribute to its development. In middle aged and older dogs such as Dobermanns, intervertebral disc disease leads to bulging of the disc or herniation of the disc contents, and the spinal cord is compressed. In Great Danes the C4 to C6 vertebrae are most commonly affected; in Dobermanns it is the C5 to C7 vertebrae.

The disease tends to be gradually progressive. Symptoms such as weakness, ataxia, and dragging of the toes start in the rear legs. Dogs often have a crouching stance with a downward flexed neck. The disease progresses to the front legs, but the symptoms are less severe. Neck pain is sometimes seen. Symptoms are usually gradual in onset but may progress rapidly following trauma. X-rays may show malaligned vertebrae and narrow disk spaces, but it is not as effective as a myelogram, which reveals stenosis of the vertebral canal. MRI has been shown to be more effective at showing the location, nature, and severity of spinal cord compression than a myelogram. Treatment is either medical to control the symptoms, usually with corticosteroids and cage rest, or surgical to correct the spinal cord compression. The prognosis is guarded in either case. Surgery may fully correct the problem, but it is technically difficult and relapses may occur. Types of surgery include ventral decompression of the spinal cord (ventral slot technique), dorsal decompression, and vertebral stabilization. One study showed no significant advantage to any of the common spinal cord decompression procedures. Another study showed that electroacupuncture may be a successful treatment for Wobbler disease.

Commonly affected dog breeds

* Great Dane
* Dobermann
* St. Bernard
* Weimaraner
* German Shepherd Dog
* Boxer
* Basset Hound
* Rhodesian Ridgeback
* Dalmatian
* Samoyed
* Old English Sheepdog
* Bullmastiff

Answer 6

I have never experienced this disease but here is a website I found on the disease

http://personal.palouse.net/valeska/wobblers.htm

Answer 7

My dog had it. This can explain it better than I.
http://www.chetbacon.com/wobblers.htm
Good luck.....

Answer 8

I had never heard of this disease, did you find out from a vet or what?

Answer 9

yes