Wobblers in my Dobe

juljules · 05-05-2008, 12:49 PM

My beautiful 5 year old female Doberman has become completely uncoordinated in the past 8 weeks, folding over on her front and rear legs and collapsing after any exercise. She has also developed a distinct sway back. My vet misdiagnosed it as arthritis and put her on Metacam. She got progressively worse last week and a second vet did xrays and just diagnosed her with Wobbler's or CVI (5, 6,7th vertebra). I worry she has been diagnosed too late and is too far gone...she is partially paralyzed at this point and needs assistance to walk…still eating well and eliminating fine. I will not go the surgical route (my vet's solution) as she is a rescue and has already been through so much. She has now been on is prednisone and thyroid medication for 5 days with little improvement. After researching alternate treatments, I am also trying chiropractic treatment and a neck brace, but she is so miserable...am I being fair to the dog? Does anyone have any advice on what I should do next?

DLS · 05-05-2008, 01:04 PM

juljules, Sorry your dog and you have to deal with CVI. I would give the medications more time to do their job. The pred. should help with the inflammation around her vertabrae. Once the inflammation goes down it will relieve the pressure on the nerves. Take it one day at a time right now. If things do not improve soon, sorry but you may have to make some serious decisions.
Also, I have heard of dogs with wobblers being fitted with a neck brace which helps keep the vertabrae in proper alignment. Maybe ask your Vet about this.

saesms · 05-05-2008, 01:08 PM

DLS. what could be the reason that it could have occured. what are the general precautions that should be taken when exercising a dobe or while make a dobe jog?

DLS · 05-05-2008, 01:25 PM

saesms, CVI, Wobblers Syndrome, or Cervical Spondylopathy. It is an abnormality of the cervical {neck} vertebra or associated structures, causes neurological dysfunction. The cause of wobblers is not know, though several contributing factors have been suggested, a large head, a long neck and rapid growth, possibly over-nutrition in the form of excess protein, calcium and phosphorus may induce skeletal changes that precipitate the sydrome. there are also possible hereditary implications.

saesms · 05-05-2008, 01:29 PM

thanks a lot DLS,lucky to have ppl like you. what are the precautions that should be taken while exercising or running a dobe

DLS · 05-05-2008, 01:34 PM

just do not FORCE your dog to exersice! free run is the best form of exersice. And not in a busy area of cars and people of course. But in your yard or in another safe place. I would NEVER run a dog behind a car, but jogging, hiking or if you slowly build up your dogs muscles and endurance biking with your dog would be OK too.

juljules · 05-05-2008, 01:34 PM

Thanks DLS and SAESMS for your reply, I need some real honesty and appreciate your information and concern..the vets only confuse matters!! Re: possible causes. She was terribly malnourished and neglected as a pup and suffered from rickets and generalized demodex mange when she was turned into the surrey spca at 6 mnths of age. I have had her now 4 years and given her the best of care, love and attention, but it would seem her normal bone growth may have been compromised from day one... predisposing her to Wobblers.

**MIA** · 05-05-2008, 01:38 PM

Hi Julie! Glad you made it here. I just want to add Julie saved this gorgeous girl and is a wonderful Dobermom. I wish I had the answers but I know all of you here will help!!!

saesms · 05-05-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

I have had her now 4 years and given her the best of care, love and attention

your dobe should be lucky to have someone caring as you are......

hope she will come through it

katekev04 · 05-05-2008, 03:14 PM

JulJules, I have a Doberman with wobblers. If you need anymore info-pm me! I went against my vet and declined the surgery route. I took him to Marion Indiana to Dr. Durkes. He does gold bead implants. I would have never believed it would work and it did. He does "wobble" when his neck is down but otherwise he is doing great. You can check out his neckbrace in my gallery. He had his surgery two years ago. Here are some things I learned; Keep the dog thin-make sure your dobe is not overweight-extra weight is stressful on the joints. Get rid of all your neck collars or leads and buy a harness. Do not let anyone touch your dobies neck-I told my vet not to take blood from his neck and use his leg instead. Get rid of all your floor food bowls and buy an elevated one. If you have wood floors or tile buy some rugs so your dobie has an easier time walking. All of your dobies toys should not be "shakeable" Meaning, if he has a toy that he puts in his mouth and starts shaking-that toy needs to go since it can promote further damage. Also, the days of playing tug of war are over! If you have small fences that your dobie jumps over or anything that includes jumping, it has to stop. I exercise my Dobie everyday and twice a day on the weekends. He runs off leash. We walk on grass and I do not run him on cement. High end kibble or raw food along with joint supplements. I've also increased his salmon oil since recent studies has shown it's ablility to decrease inflamation. I hope I helped alittle-Good luck and God bless!