Wobbler Syndrome – What Dog Owners Must Know About this Silent Killer
Big Dog Mom Disclaimer:
I am not a neurologist. I am not a vet. I am not giving medical advice and this post should NOT be taken as such. My purpose in writing this post is to share what I have learned in the five months since Wobbler Syndrome invaded my life.
Much of this information is based on my own research, discussions with my neurologist as well as the process that took my boy from chronic neck pain to a Wobbler’s diagnosis.
If you have not yet read the beginning of our story, you can do that here: Wobbler Syndrome -The Most Painful Intersection Between Diet and Genetics.
Above all, If you suspect your dog may have Wobbler Syndrome, please seek veterinary medical care as soon as possible. Early intervention can absolutely help and a proper diagnosis (**see below for what that means) is a critical first step.
Wobbler Syndrome Defined
Quoted from Junior’s diagnosis:
“Wobbler Syndrome” / Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy / Cervical vertebral malformation – malarticulation. Osseous proliferation of C4-5 and C5-6 articular facets as well as hypertrophy of soft tissues/joint capsule with secondary mild vertebral canal stenosis at these locations (predominantly right-sided).”
I’m going to do my best to break this down into layman’s terms.
Essentially cervical spondylomyelopathy refers to a disease of the neck vertebrae affecting the spinal cord.
You may also see Wobbler Syndrome (also called Wobbers Disease) called cervical vertebral instability (CVI), cervical vertebral malformation (CVM). cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation (CVMM), and cervical spondylopathy. These terms are all used interchangeably and refer to the same disease.
There are two main forms of Wobbler Syndrome.
The first is the type that Junior has. In his above diagnosis, it says “osseous proliferation of C4-5 and C5-6 articular facets as well as hypertrophy of soft tissues/joint capsule with secondary mild vertebral canal stenosis”
In other words, his bone is growing too fast (osseous proliferation) at the C4-5 and C5-6 vertebrae (internal facets are the inside area of the bone where the spinal cord is) and is causing compression of his spinal cord in that area (vertebral canal stenosis). This form of Wobblers is also called cervical stenotic myelopathy.
This form occurs most often young, giant-breed dogs such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Symptoms of the disease in these dogs typically show up at a young age (a few months to a couple of years) and progressively get worse over time.
The second form is often referred to as disc-associated Wobblers. This form occurs in middle- to older aged dogs and is usually caused by a chronic bulging intervertebral disc, which slowly puts pressure on the base of the spinal cord. This form of wobbler syndrome is commonly seen in large-breed dogs, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, and Dalmatian.
Wobblers is a Big Dog Disease
Wobbler Syndrome is a disease of large and giant breed dogs primarily. While there are cases in smaller dogs, they are uncommon.
The most commonly affected breeds are Doberman pinchers (5.5%), Great Danes (4.2%), and Mastiffs, however, any large or giant breed dog can be affected.
Dobermans are usually diagnosed with disc-associated Wobblers later in life. The mean age for diagnosis in Dobermans is 6 years.
Giant breed dogs like Great Danes and Mastiffs are most commonly diagnosed with the vertebral malformation (bony associated compression) form early in life, from 6 months to 3 years.
Other breeds that are affected are Rottweilers, Weimaraners, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain dogs, Greater Swiss Mountain dogs. and any other large or giant breed dogs.
Wobbler Syndrome Causes TBD
While there is no consensus to date, genetics are believed to be the most likely cause of the disease. In other words, the genes responsible for causing the disease are passed from one generation to another through breeding.
Studies have also speculated that nutrition could be a factor in the development of Wobblers. According to Ronaldo C. da Costa, Veterinary Neurologist and head Wobblers researcher at The Ohio State University (OSU),
“diets high in protein, calcium, and phosphorous accelerate growth, which may contribute to skeletal changes seen in wobbler dogs.”
In very rare cases, injury to the neck has been also been reported as a possible cause. This is NOT a common cause of the disease and should NOT be used to pass the blame onto owners with Wobblers dogs.
Current research at OSU is investigating the genetics of the disease in Dobermans with plans to study it in Great Danes in the future.
In addition, Embark Vet is doing some groundbreaking new research to try and identify a DNA test for Wobblers as well. Read about that in New Embark Vet Research and the Future of Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs!
Signs and Symptoms of Wobbler Syndrome
Clinical signs are usually slow and gradual in onset with Wobblers disease but can appear to suddenly get worse if they have trauma to the spinal cord during exercise or have a second spinal cord problem, such as a sudden disc herniation.
Most commonly, these dogs will have a “wobbly” gait mostly in the back end (thus the name “wobblers”). It will appear as a lack of coordination, walking with a wide stance, swaying from side to side, and taking longer strides.
This wobbly gait may only be visible in slippery floors and when the dog walks slowly.
Forelimb involvement can vary greatly depending on the abnormality and severity of the disease. Some dogs have no clinical symptoms in the front limbs, while others have a stiff short-strided, choppy, or floating front limb gait. Some dogs have difficulty turning around and cross their front limbs over each other when turning.
Some Wobblers dogs may present with neck symptoms like Junior. These dogs walk with their head down and are reluctant to bend their necks down or turn their necks from side to side. All of this is a clear indication of neck pain.
In the more advanced stages of the disease, the problems become obvious in all four legs, and they may have trouble getting up, appear very weak, and even “buckle over” with the front legs. Approximately 5% of dogs with wobblers may become acutely paralyzed in all four legs.
4 Simple Tests You Can Do At Home if You Suspect Wobblers
As I stated at the beginning of this post, if your dog is showing any of the symptoms I just outlined, you need to see your Veterinarian.
I will share briefly some of the tests your vet may recommend if he or she suspects Wobblers, but before I get there, I wanted to share a few of the physical tests you can do at home to check your dog’s neurological function.
These were tests my neurologist did with Junior when we went in for his MRI.
- VISUAL ASSESSMENT: A wobbly gait would suggest a neurological issue, whereas weakness could be more musculoskeletal.
- POSTURAL REACTION ASSESSMENT: When turned over, paws should right themselves automatically if neurological function is normal. This is also called paw replacement, proprioception, or postural reflex. A delay in flipping the paw upright might suggest a neurological deficit.
- HOPPING ASSESSMENT: Poor initiation of the hopping reaction suggests sensory (proprioceptive) deficits; poor follow-through suggests a motor system abnormality (paresis).
- RANGE OF MOTION OF NECK: You will want to test the range of motion down to the chest and side to side. Stiffness or lack of ability to fully flex neck can be an indication of neck pain. Here is a short video showing what a full range of neck motion looks like for a dog’s neck.
Here is a full video of me showing how to do these tests so you can easily do them at home. This second video is a Facebook Live session with my Big Dog Mom Community. If you are not yet a member, join here.
Medical Testing and Diagnosis of Wobbler Syndrome
X-rays are usually recommended first to see if they can identify any obvious bony lesion or diagnose other diseases that can mimic wobbler syndrome. However, while plain x-rays of the skull and spine can detect fractures, infections, or bone cancer, in most infections or cancers of the brain and spinal cord, plain x‑rays appear normal. For reference, Junior didn’t have x-rays taken until the day we went in for our MRI.
Blood tests may also be ordered to detect metabolic disorders, some of which can affect nervous system activity. Blood tests can also identify other conditions, including lead poisoning, certain infections, and myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease in which the connections between nerve and muscle are blocked and weakness results.
For an official confirmed diagnosis of Wobbler Syndrome, more advanced imaging tests are required. The best test is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and that is what we got for Junior.
(MRI) scans are very safe and can
also help evaluate changes in bone structure, internal bleeding, abscesses, inflammation, and certain nervous system cancers as well as confirm a diagnosis of Wobblers.
Here are a few images from Junior’s MRI that illustrate the difference between what is a normal amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (the white) around the spinal cord and where the bone is now compressing his spinal cord.
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Treatment Options for Wobbler Syndrome
Dogs can be treated medically or surgically and the recommendation by your neurologist will depend on many factors including age, severity of disease, type of compression, and the number of vertebrae affected.
Medical management typically involves activity restriction and treatment with anti-inflammatories and/or corticosteroids to reduce spinal cord swelling associated with compression. Medical management alone is often recommended in dogs with mild clinical signs or dogs with spinal cord compression in multiple locations (more than three to four vertebrae) that might not be good surgical candidates.
Since Junior’s symptoms were primarily in his neck, he was also prescribed Gabapentin for neuropathic pain.
Additionally, traditional collars or Halti – type harnesses are not recommended for dogs with Wobblers. The use of a chest harness is strongly recommended to ensure no pressure is applied to the neck.
If surgery is an option, there are over 21 different types used to treat Wobbler Syndrome.
The goal of surgery is to stop the progression of clinical signs. Because the spinal cord compression has been occurring over a long period of time, there is typically permanent spinal cord damage. Most dogs never walk normally even with surgery, however, many will improve to be able to have a good quality of life.
Dr. da Costa at OSU shares some interesting findings from his research on Wobbler Syndrome and the success rate of medical versus surgical management:
“We have done a study looking at the success of surgery and medical management of wobblers in 104 dogs. Based on that study we learned that approximately 50% of dogs will improve with medical management, approximately 30% will remain stable and 20% will worsen. Surgical treatment offered a success rate of approximately 80%. The other 20% of dogs either remained stable or worsened. We have had very good success with both medical and surgical management.”
Natural Treatments for Wobbler Syndrome
Since Junior’s diagnosis, I have been on a mission to find alternatives to chronic medications for him. While I am not at all opposed to using medications where necessary and am absolutely committed to keeping him comfortable and pain-free, I believe there are some great natural supplements that can absolutely make a difference for him.
I have been attacking this disease from two sides as it relates to supplements; boosting immune function and anti-inflammatory effect.
Rather than going into great detail here, I will refer you to a few articles I wrote about these supplements. Please let me know in the comments below if you would like more information on any one of these.
- New Embark Vet Research and the Future of Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs!
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Must Know
- Natural Pain Relief for Dogs: 5 Supplements You MUST Try!
Prevention of Wobbler Syndrome
Unfortunately, because we do not have a definitive answer on what causes Wobbler Syndrome, we don’t have a clear picture of how to prevent it either.
That said, I do believe there are steps each of us big dog owners can take to reduce the prevalence of this silent, progressive killer.
As stated above, the following are my opinion and should not be taken as scientific fact. They are merely one Wobbler mom’s recommendations based on her knowledge and personal experience.
1. Genetics
- Do not breed dogs that have been diagnosed or are suspected to have Wobbler Syndrome.
- Do not breed parents or siblings of dogs with Wobbler Syndrome.
Ok, I know breeders are screaming at me right now, so let me explain this one.
While researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of Wobbler Syndrome, it is undeniable that the prevalence is highest within certain breeds and pedigrees of dogs. Studies are being done on Dobermans and Great Danes, and hopefully soon, Mastiffs, the breeds with the highest rates of disease, with the goal of finding a genetic marker.
Short of a genetic marker, we can only speculate when it comes to breeding decisions.
So, here’s my question for all reputable dog breeders…
Why take the risk?
Why breed dogs who are related or who have produced Wobblers when there are so many others to choose from who haven’t? Why knowingly impose this disease on the hearts of future puppy buyers, who may not be prepared for the years of medications, tests, and heartbreak that lie ahead for them.
Until we have a genetic marker, you are taking a risk. One that I do NOT believe is worth it. Parents and siblings of Wobblers dogs should not be bred. Period.
**UPDATED: Read New Embark Vet Research and the Future of Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs!
2. Diet
This one is controversial, especially for me. I won’t go into detail about Junior’s raw diet here. I did that in Wobbler Syndrome -The Most Painful Intersection Between Diet and Genetics.
What I will say is that feeding a large or giant breed puppy is a science in and of itself.
Most giant breed puppy owners will go through two years of self-doubt, confusion, and uncertainty about what they are feeding, constantly searching for perfection that doesn’t exist. That said, here are a couple of simple rules to follow as you are raising your large or giant breed puppy.
- While there is no documented evidence that diet causes Wobblers, it is prudent for all large and giant breed dog owners to watch the weight and caloric intake of their dogs while they are growing. Keep your dog lean and don’t overfeed. Too many calories have been linked to other growth disorders in large and giant breed dogs; panosteitis, OCD, etc.
- Pay attention to the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the food you are feeding. Excess calcium and phosphorus have been linked to other growth disorders in large and giant breed dogs. You want the ratio of calcium to phosphorus to be close to 1:1.
Your Dog Is Diagnosed With Wobbler Syndrome, Now What?
The prognosis for a dog with wobbler disease depends greatly on the severity of the malformation and the amount of spinal cord compression. Dogs that are severely affected to the extent that they are unable to stand or walk have a guarded prognosis even with surgical intervention.
Here’s the truth to the question, now what.
Life changes. A walk around the neighborhood changes. Freedom to climb the stairs in your house changes.
Look, I’m not going to sugar coat this and tell you it’s no big deal. It’s a huge deal and it will change your life.
I have heard some suggest that Wobblers isn’t a disease. That it is an outcome of some outside force (diet, injury).
While none of us knows the exact cause of Wobblers, it is clear to me that those who deny or reject the obvious genetic component of this silent, progressive killer are those who are passing the buck.
These are breeders quick to blame their puppy owners for not feeding the right food or injuring the puppy’s neck with a collar. Breeders who conceal evidence of Wobblers in their lines to avoid a tarnished public image. And breeders who deny responsibility and continue to breed affected dogs, siblings, and offspring.
Wobbler Syndrome IS a neurologic disease of large and giant breed dogs.
We may not have a genetic marker (yet), but we do have common sense.
Here’s what I propose…
- Let’s make selfless and conservative breeding decisions to stop the spread of Wobblers. We may find that there are other contributors, but until we know for sure, let’s not take the chance.
- Share this information with a big dog lovin’ friend. Early detection is critical and that only happens if dog owners know what to look for.
Additional Resources About Wobbler Syndrome
Big Dog Mom Community Group on Facebook
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Please ask your neuro surgeon about Pentoxifylline. My female Dobbie was FULLY paralyzed and went on 400mg extended release 3 times daily and started walking again after about a month and was back to baseline at 6 weeks with no prednisone. It was a lifesaver for us. She has continued on this therapy for 2.5yrs. We too need surgery but so far this is allowing her to maintain without medication side effects. I don’t know why more physicians don’t prescribe this. It was prescribed by her neuro surgeon. The medication restores/improves blood flow to the spinal cord which helps with mobility and subsequently pain since it restores the constricted area of the spinal canal which leads to pain.
Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful news, Katherine! We are basically medically managing right now and fortunately surgery is not an option for Junior at this point. I’ve never heard of the drug you mentioned. I will definitely look into it. Thank you so much for posting this!!!
Our Dane has been diagnosed with wobblers he has been on prednisone and a proper diet for his illness.
Now he seems in paid and anxious and sad.
He almost bite our grandson whic is most in like him. Our grandson 13 has always been our Danes favorite. He petted him something he always does.
Help! I am really concerning
Oh, no, I’m so sorry, Patricia. If you suspect your Dane is in pain, I would make sure you have a call into your vet. You didn’t mention whether he was put on any kind of pain medication, so my first thought is that it would help if he was. Dogs often have a change in behavior when they are in pain. I will tell you, as soon as my boy was put on gabapentin, it made all the difference in the world for him. I would encourage you to call your vet and ask about pain medications. There are natural anti-inflammatories as well which I outline here, however because this is a neurological disease, he will need a pain reliever that works specifically with the nervous system. I really hope this helps. Please keep me posted on how he’s doing. https://bigdogmom.com/natural-pain-relief-for-dogs/
Posting the names of breeders of dogs that developed Wobler’s would be a good first step at holding them accountable. Our boy Maks developed this horrible disease at about 5 years old. If the breeders won’t be responsible we will shame them into it.
I’m so sorry, Marvin – for you and for Maks. I know the heartbreak you feel. Wobblers is awful and the knowing breeding of dogs that have it, borderline criminal. I agree that people with Wobblers dogs need to be public. But rather than out breeders, I’m hoping this blog, my videos and sharing all that I do about my journey with Junior, will set a precedent that others will follow. Since coming out about Junior I have received many private messages. Sadly few will go public which is the problem you are addressing. Sweeping this disease under the rug will never stop its spread. And with genetics being the most likely cause, we need to be more open about the dogs who are affected.
Hi , my dog is 1 year and few months old and is a mixed breed and has developed this horrible disease. He has wobblish gait and neck pain. We did MRI to diagnose it. He has nerve compressed in spinal cord coz of bone malformation. I have been looking for answers for what happened and how it happened but now I want to focus more on how can I prevent it ? I want to focus on his diet . Could you please tell me what kind of diet for you use for your dog after diagnosis ? Should we only keep him on kibble ? He eats a very nourished diet of chicken , veggies , kibbles , oats , white rice , curd , fruits like banana , apple , carrots etc.
Found out my Bailey likely has this disease today. I am crushed. Bailey is 1.5 sleeps In our bed and is the biggest baby snuggler.
Her older sister (terrier mix) is epileptic and has a large tumor mass slowly taking up all her space in her stomach. I adopted her 10 years ago and thought by getting a pure bred I may spare some of the heartache I’ve had over the years with our older dog. Today’s diagnosis has completely turned me upside down.
Yesterday I got so mad at her thinking she was being crabby and pulled at her collar when she wouldn’t come. I spent all day thinking I did this to her when I pulled her. I’m a mess over all this. She’s my baby.
I am so very sorry, Maddie! I know the guilt you feel, but you didn’t cause this disease. She is young and has a lot of life yet to live, which is a true blessing. As awful as this disease is, it’s not generally a death sentence. There are so many things we can do to keep our dogs happy and healthy in spite of it. My heart is with you. You are not alone in this, so feel free to reach out anytime.
Hello! I just read all the information on your site and watched your video. I have a 10-year-old Dobie, Jason. He’s in remarkably good health despite the fact that he has survived a ruptured gallbladder at age 8 and his stomach turning at age 9. He has always been incredibly active – he goes on three walks a day and has always enjoyed running Like crazy in the backyard. For about a week, he has been reluctant to jump up on the bed. It may be my imagination, but he seems a little slower and getting up. I did your knuckling test and his one back leg stays folded under. He also seems to have some problems with range of motion in his neck. We took him to the vet and she seems to think that it might be arthritis, but I have my fear that it is wobbler’s. I am going to insist on an MRI to see what this is. I really don’t have a question as of yet – your video was very informative. I guess I just felt like I had to reach out to someone who would understand. I am heartbroken and I’m having difficulty concentrating on anything other than Jason.
Thank you so much for all of your articles and explaining this in terms that are understandable. We just received this diagnosis for our 3 year old Cane Corso mix and we are just crushed. He goes in next week for an MRI and we will go from there. But I truly appreciate the information and the sense of some hope!
Hello! I found your article very helpful. I am considering adopting a 6 month old mastiff with wobblers disease. I believe someone should show him love and affection for as long as possible. He is such a sweetheart and I can’t understand why no one wants him. Thank you for all the information.
Thank you for sharing your story I sit in my car and write this as I just got off the phone with the neurologist and Diesel St. Bernard age 6 just underwent his MRI and is currently coming out of recovery from sedation I was told that he is diagnosed with wobbler syndrome and has three results within the MRI his main points are the C5 and C6 , c6 and c7, t2 and t3 they also are not sure but once the radiologist able to look at it it will confirm but they believe he might have a possible desk herniation within the T2 and T3 area of the spine I will know more once the radiologist is able to complete the report they want to start him on prednisone mixed with the gabapentin that he’s already on I am so heartbroken to find his diagnosis however I am optimistic that this will allow him to have the best life that he has left while he’s here with us my biggest concern is that he does not endure any pain and when it gets to that point which I know it will ultimately will have to make that decision I would say though my question to you is what harness if there’s a specific brand do you recommend getting for use of not only a walking harness but as a lift support
Also with your baby boy did you do any type of water therapy rehabilitation with him my biggest concern is although this is a debilitating disease and there’s no cure I don’t want him to have his surrounding muscles go lame to cause him to be even more reluctant or speed the process up but degenerative disease
Hi, thanks for posting. My Bernese Mountain Dog, Doc, was dx with wobblers just before 18 months. My Doc has always been a grazer, even as a puppy and agree on the genetic component. I am not breeder blaming, as I have discovered that offspring of those with wobblers to not necessarily develop the disease. (Do not want to start a breeder debate here!) We have managed with medications and Doc is now almost 6 years old. The good weeks and months followed by flair ups of obvious discomfort are definitely confusing, frustrating, and heartbreaking at times.
I wanted to ask about sleeping habits, have you or any others noticed or found any information on average sleeping times for aging with wobblers? I’ve noticed increased sleeping, but not sure about how wobblers effects the sleeping habits of seniors and when I should really be concerned.
Thanks!
Our 1 year old pitbull Chihuahua rescue was just diagnosed with Wobblers. The Neuro vet called in three other neurons for confirmation since they had never seen a case this extensive in a small dog so young. 11 vertebrae affected from the top and the 11th vertebrae has started compressing from the side as well. We have decided on medical management instead of surgery since it is so extensive. I hope research improves so much soon for answers.