Man's Best Friend is His Dog

Wobbler syndrome in dogs is a condition that prevents normal standing and moving around. It occurs when the vertebrae are malformed. Big dogs are commonly affected. Doberman Pinscher, Great Danes, Boxers, and St. Bernards have the highest risk of developing this condition.

Cause

There is no known cause for wobbler syndrome. However, it is thought that a rapid growth rate is one of the leading factors. Two other possible causes include genetics and poor nutrition.

Symptoms

Wobbler syndrome in dogs usually affects the hind limbs the most. You may notice that your dog's rear swings to the side when he walks. The front limbs may appear normal, but some dogs suffer obvious stiffness. These symptoms usually get worse over the course of several weeks. You can really notice these symptoms when your dog changes direction quickly. Symptoms are less noticeable when your dog walks or runs in a straight line.

Diagnosis

An x-ray is not enough to diagnose this condition definitively. Dye will have to be injected into the spinal column before an x-ray is taken. This will help determine the location of the abnormality. It will also reveal how much swelling is present of the spinal cord.

Treatment

Treatment of wobbler syndrome in dogs involves the use of corticosteroids and a neck brace. This helps relieve the amount of swelling caused by the spinal cord compression. Some dogs benefit from having surgery. Surgery is done to repair the abnormality and relieve the pressure that's causing swelling. Although surgery can help some dogs, the condition only gets worse and more painful for other dogs.