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.
Certain breeds are particularly at risk of developing wobblers in dogs. These include: Dobermann Pinscher; Rottweiler; Basset Hound; Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane. The etiology of wobbler syndrome is not fully understood and it appears to have many contributing factors.
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.
This disease has been reported in a number of breeds, with Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Warmbloods being those most commonly affected.
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.
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.
The spinal cord loses its normal round shape over time. Dogs with this form of wobbler syndrome typically show signs at a young age (a few months to a couple years) and slowly get worse over time.
We typically do X-rays first to see if we can identify any obvious bony lesion or diagnose other diseases that can mimic wobbler syndrome. To confirm the disease more advanced imaging tests are required. In the past we used to do myelograms (an X-ray with dye injected around the spinal cord).
Steroids are one of the most typical ways to treat wobbler syndrome. Many pet parents use corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and wobble syndrome symptoms in their pets. Corticosteroids provide relief by reducing the compression on the spine.
This compression causes issues with gait and if nerve roots are affected, a dog can experience a great deal of pain. This form of Wobblers is most common in giant-breed dogs, usually young adults that are less than 3 years of age. Dobermans and Great Danes are the breeds most commonly affected.
Your horse may be a wobbler if you are seeing one or more of the following signs: Has your horse been stumbling or stumbles more often under saddle? Have you seen any abnormal wear of front toes? Are there any unusual sores on front heels from over-reaching? Do you notice any excessive movement of tail when trotting?
In certain cases, horses with wobblers respond well to treatment and can return to normal work. However, other forms of wobblers can be permanent and progressive. Early detection and treatment are critical to avoid poor outcomes.
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.
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.
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.
Cervical Vertebrae Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM), commonly known as Wobblers Syndrome, is estimated to occur in around 2-3% of Thoroughbreds.
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.
There is no cure for Wobblers, and depending on how advanced the symptoms become, sometimes treatment isn't effective.
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.
A wobbler is a special class of crimes involving conduct that varies widely in its level of seriousness. Wobbler statutes cover a wide range of offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon, vehicular manslaughter, money laundering, and defacements of property with graffiti.
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.
Most forms of wobbler disease have a root cause in cervical vertebral myelopathy (CVM), which causes inflammation and arthritis in the joint and is painful to affected horses. At this time it is believed to possibly be a congenital condition.
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.
Infection, inflammation, or brain tumors (tumors of the brain or brainstem) are the most common reasons for a dog to develop central vestibular syndrome signs. Infections may be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa. Many of these same causes can also affect the cerebellum, causing cerebellar ataxia.
Prognosis and recovery
Some dogs may not recover their lost balance or coordination following treatment for ataxia, but most can lead normal lives.