Has anyone experienced Wobblers Syndrome with their dog?

claire1976

claire1976

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I have a DobieX who has been having problems with her back legs for a couple of weeks. Vet has advised today that its probably Wobblers - a problem which the nerve system. It starts in the back legs but generally progresses. She looks like her back end is drunk and when she turns around she is unco-ordinated and drags her feet. Vet has given a jab of Metacam and I've got some more to syringe daily then X-ray to see extent of nerve damage.
Just wondered if anyone has experienced it with their own dog and what the long term prognosis is. As I understand it - she's not in pain.
 
it's a problem in the neck to do with compression of the spinal cord. i've only ever seen one case. it means the nerve signals dont get through properly and it makes the wobbly, hence the name. proper name is CVM (cervical vertebral malformation)
 
So what's the long term prognosis for a dog of say 11-12 yrs old? Her spine has started to look a bit curved recently - could that be to do with the compression?
 
Ive had two dobes with wobbler, both lived to a good age and both died from other causes. I'm not sure but think the curvature of the spine is possibly inbalance of the muscles or wastage slightly on one side.

Ellie had the problem in her neck so all 4 limbs were affected, jenna lower in her spine so only her hind legs had problems. From what I can remember the severity differs depending on how much compression is present - my dobes were both seen by a specialist consultant vet and had xrays with some sort of dye or radioactive element injected so the extent of the problem could be seen and properly diagnosed.

neither of my dogs were in pain and coped very well, both were happy and accepted their wobbliness, despite the occasional tumble.

Hope all goes well for your dog
 
Thank you, I know the Xrays wont help much with the treatment but it will be useful to know where the problem starts. She still runs up and down the fields with the same enthusiasm as always its just wierd to see her falling over and bunny hopping!
 
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So what's the long term prognosis for a dog of say 11-12 yrs old? Her spine has started to look a bit curved recently - could that be to do with the compression?

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well i would say a Dobie of 11 or 12 is reaching the end of their life-span and so management of the condition is about managing the signs rather than any kind of cure. prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord compression.
 
I know what you mean, its easier to deal with something when you know exactly what it is - they cope remarkably well, much better than a human. I have a tiny disabled whippet that had a FCE about 5 years ago and another about 2 years ago and the symptoms are similar although the cause is different, she is amazing as she has little sensation in her feet or the lower half of one leg. Its amazing how they adapt and lead happy lives despite their problems.

Very best wishes for you both.
 
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well i would say a Dobie of 11 or 12 is reaching the end of their life-span and so management of the condition is about managing the signs rather than any kind of cure. prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord compression.

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Oh dear - well she's fit and healthy in all other respects and will happily walk for miles so not sure she is reaching the end of her life span just yet! Everyone who meets her is always amazed when I tell them how old she is as she simply doesnt look it or act it!
I will always do the right thing by her though and if I thought she was miserable and in pain I would let her go with dignity.
 
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well i would say a Dobie of 11 or 12 is reaching the end of their life-span and so management of the condition is about managing the signs rather than any kind of cure. prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord compression.

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Oh dear - well she's fit and healthy in all other respects and will happily walk for miles so not sure she is reaching the end of her life span just yet! Everyone who meets her is always amazed when I tell them how old she is as she simply doesnt look it or act it!
I will always do the right thing by her though and if I thought she was miserable and in pain I would let her go with dignity.

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not many dobies make it into their teens, but you may always have an exception to the rule - we always see the odd dog who has lived well past the usual age for their breed. i think with the problems you are now seeing though that they will probably progress and you will eventually find they affect her quality of life. how long this will take i cant say - it very much depends on the severity of the spinal cord compression - could be months, could be years. although she may seem healthy in every other way, unfortunately that is usually the case with older dogs and one thing eventually gets the better of them, despite everything else working fine. it's always very hard, i've been there several times with my old dogs. i hope for you that her condition is mild and you have happy years ahead of you
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well i would say a Dobie of 11 or 12 is reaching the end of their life-span and so management of the condition is about managing the signs rather than any kind of cure. prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord compression.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh dear - well she's fit and healthy in all other respects and will happily walk for miles so not sure she is reaching the end of her life span just yet! Everyone who meets her is always amazed when I tell them how old she is as she simply doesnt look it or act it!
I will always do the right thing by her though and if I thought she was miserable and in pain I would let her go with dignity.

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didnt you say she was a dobe x? She may well live longer than the average dobe - none of mine reached their teens - but if she is happy thats the main thing, dont despair, take every day as it comes
 
Yes she is a Dobie X, but looks just like a full dobie except for a long tail and a white flash down her chest. Being a cross breed may give her the edge on lifespan but she does seem to have aged quickly over the last 2 mths and I'm sure the wobblers is troubling her. I will see what the vet suggest after the xray and take it from there, thanks for all the advice.
 
My late Dobe, Elsa, lived till she was just over 15 yrs - she had wobblers. It was more noticeable as she went into her very senior years but she coped very well with it. In fact it wasn't very noticeable at all as a youngster, just the odd 'funny' looking movement on her back legs.

A friend of mine had a Dobe with wobblers, he had really major surgery to correct the problem and had many happy years post surgery. He was only 5 yrs old though when he had his op. They emigrated to NZ, Barney went with them and lived in Christchurch till his death as a teenager.

I am onto no 5 Dobe and haven't had one die before it's teens - maybe I have been lucky. My present rescued Dobe is 7 yrs old, he shows no signs of wobblers and hopefully I will have him for at least another 7 years.

Good luck with your dog, I hope you have a few more years yet with her.
 
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