Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs: A Guide to this Neck and Spine Disease

A guide to Wobbler Syndrome (Cervical Spondylomyelopathy) in dogs. Learn why this neck and spine disease causes a wobbly gait in large and giant breeds, and understand the diagnostic and surgical options available.

Hey there, pet parents. Today we're going to talk about a condition with a very descriptive name: Wobbler Syndrome. This is a complex disease of the neck (the cervical spine) that affects large and giant breed dogs. It causes a progressive, wobbly, and uncoordinated gait that can be very debilitating. Let's take a closer look at this wobbly condition.

What is Wobbler Syndrome?

Wobbler Syndrome is not a single disease, but rather a collection of different abnormalities of the cervical spine that all lead to the same problem: compression of the spinal cord. The official name for the condition is Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (CSM).

When the spinal cord in the neck is compressed, the nerve signals from the brain can't get to the limbs properly. This is especially true for the hind limbs, as the nerve tracts that control them are on the outside of the spinal cord and are the first to be affected.

There are two main forms of the disease, which tend to affect different age groups:

  1. •Disc-Associated Wobbler Syndrome: This form is more common in middle-aged to older large breeds, especially Doberman Pinschers. It's caused by a chronic, bulging intervertebral disc (similar to Type II IVDD) that puts pressure on the spinal cord.
  2. 1Bony-Associated Wobbler Syndrome: This form is seen in young, giant breed dogs like Great Danes and Mastiffs. It's caused by a malformation of the vertebrae themselves. The bony structures of the vertebrae are too narrow or misshapen, which constricts the spinal cord.

Spotting the Signs of Wobbler Syndrome

The signs of Wobbler Syndrome come on gradually and get progressively worse.

  • •A "Wobbly" or Drunken Gait (Ataxia): This is the hallmark sign. The hind limbs are usually affected first and more severely than the front limbs. The dog may have a short, choppy stride in the front legs and a swaying, long-strided, "floating" gait in the back legs.
  • •Neck Pain: The dog may be reluctant to turn its head, may hold its head low, or may cry out in pain.
  • •Knuckling Over: They may drag their paws or walk on the tops of their feet.
  • •Difficulty Rising: They will have trouble getting up from a lying position.
  • •Muscle Atrophy: Especially over the shoulders.
  • •Worn or Uneven Toenails: From dragging their feet.

How Vets Diagnose Wobbler Syndrome

Diagnosing Wobbler Syndrome requires advanced imaging to see the spinal cord compression.

  • •Neurological Exam: Your vet will perform a thorough neurological exam to localize the problem to the neck.
  • •X-rays: Regular X-rays can sometimes show bony changes or a narrowed disc space, but they can't show the spinal cord itself.
  • •Myelogram: This is an older technique where dye is injected around the spinal cord, and then X-rays are taken to see where the dye column is being compressed.
  • •CT Scan or MRI: An MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing Wobbler Syndrome. It provides a detailed image of the spinal cord, the discs, and the surrounding soft tissues, and it allows the neurologist to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the compression.

Treatment: Medical vs. Surgical

The treatment for Wobbler Syndrome can be challenging and depends on the severity of the signs.

Medical Management

For dogs with mild signs, or for owners who decline surgery, medical management can be tried. The goal is to reduce the inflammation and manage the pain.

  • •Strict Rest: The dog must be kept confined and activity must be severely restricted. No running, jumping, or playing.
  • •Medications: Steroids (like prednisone) are used to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the spinal cord. Pain medications and muscle relaxants may also be used.
  • •A Chest Harness: A harness should always be used instead of a neck collar to avoid putting any pressure on the neck.

Medical management does not fix the underlying compression, and the prognosis is guarded.

Surgical Treatment

For dogs with moderate to severe signs, surgery is the best option for a good outcome. The goal of surgery is to decompress the spinal cord. This is a very complex and specialized surgery that should only be performed by a board-certified veterinary surgeon or neurologist.

There are many different surgical techniques, and the right one depends on the specific cause of the compression. The surgeon may need to remove the bulging disc material, distract the vertebrae to open up the space, or fuse the vertebrae together.

The success rate for surgery is about 80% for improving the dog's quality of life. However, it is a major surgery with a long recovery period.

Prognosis

The prognosis for Wobbler Syndrome is always guarded. Even with successful surgery, most dogs will still have some degree of a wobbly gait. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease and to give the dog a good, comfortable quality of life.

Sources & Further Reading:

  1. •American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler Syndrome)
  2. 1VCA Animal Hospitals - Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs