Female Dobe w/ Wobblers - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Jbly · 12-07-2012, 03:54 PM

Hi,

I thought this would be a good place to reach out for some advice. Our 3.5 year old red female we adopted from Lean on Me Dobe Rescue 3 years ago has been diagnosed with Wobblers by our vet. She is OK most of the time but any major next movement in particular up makes her yelp...

Last night I had to go carry her in as she was spread out like a new born foal struggling to get up. Once she reseted she was fine. The vet is having me try Meloxicam right now to see if this helps at all if not we might go to Rymadyl (spelling). For the most part she is happy and in great spirits it is just when twists herself or her head funny that she seems to be in pain. Her gait is a little off and can be noticed if you really watch her rear end. I have kept her activity level down and don't let her romp around with our male any more as I am fearful of injuring her more. She still does love to go on walks and I was thinking about a harness as I want to keep any pressure off her neck. Has anyone used a particular light wieght harness they are happy with? Any other thoughts of living with a dobe who has wobblers as this is new to us as it is our first Dobe with an ailment that is not easily curable.

We appreciate and all thoughts. Thanks!

James & Julie B

**EmilyB** · 12-07-2012, 04:02 PM

I know of two dobes that couldn't even walk because of wobblers, they were both brought back to virtually normal with acupuncture. It worked well for my girl and is the first thing I would try if I was on that route again.

There is a surgery as well now.

Jbly · 12-07-2012, 04:05 PM

Thanks! I am going to check with the University of Wisconsin vets to gather their thoughts about surgery, etc. I heard the recovery can be rather challenging - It is hard as she currently has more good days than bad days so far at least..

DobieGal15 · 12-08-2012, 12:45 AM

I would recommend the surgery for such a young girl. And in the meantime, EmilyB is right, acupuncture would be a good thing to try ( the only downfall is you have to keep getting it frequently, but same with medications....) My boy was on tramadol (and steroids) for years and we ended up switching his pain medication to gabapentin which gave better results as far as pain relief. I still regret not going through with the surgery though. Good lluck to you and your girl and thanks for being a good parent, she's lucky to have you!

Sue Strohecker · 12-08-2012, 06:37 AM

I have posted this before on other threads here about my 2 experiences with Wobblers. Got to website apvet.com and go to testimonials for Gus. The University in IA wanted to do surgery, not, did acupuncture. PLEASE read my testimonial!

**Fitzmar Dobermans** · 12-08-2012, 08:56 AM

Look into Gold Bead implants - find a vet in your geographic area that has been doing it successfully. She is young and it could give her a vastly improved quality of life.

LindaH · 12-08-2012, 01:09 PM

We have a member, feverone, who very highly recommends cold laser therapy as she used it on one of her dogs. Please pm her for more information.

If you haven't already, I suggest you use raised feed & water bowls so she won't have to bend down.

Make ramps where you can to bypass steps.

I am sorry you and her are going thru this, it is heartbreaking to watch them. Definitely use a harness, maybe one of those that has a "handle" you can use to help her move around difficult places or to help her up.

Harness links for you.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...fr=yfp-t-521-s

4Dobes · 12-08-2012, 01:27 PM

Hi I've just purchased this Ruff Wear double back harness for Darcy. ( she just had a TTA op )
It has a handle over the withers and a handle over her hips. It's difficult at first to get on but once on I can easily lift her in and out of the car by myself, plus I have greater control over her back whilst she is walking.
When she is able I will be able to support her back legs whilst she climbs stairs

Attachment 19553

You can use it as a front harness and fold the rear straps in a pocket if you don't need them.
It's probably a bit much for everyday walking but if you need to lift a dog or have extra support then it is excellent

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

**MeadowCat** · 12-08-2012, 02:37 PM

I've also heard a lot of success stories with gold bead implants for Wobblers. So sorry to hear about your girl's diagnosis.

LindaH · 12-10-2012, 01:13 PM

Recent thread you might find helpful.

When Good Discs Go Bad

Adara · 12-10-2012, 04:35 PM

I thought Pred was the drug of choice for Wobbler's? I could be mistaken but I thought it was Pred. she won't be able to take an NSAID with pred but can take other pain meds (like Tramadol) and the Pred might help the pain also.

River · 12-10-2012, 06:15 PM

Griffin went on a cocktail of Tramadol and Gabapetin. Gaba is a spinal nerve blocker and Tram is the NSAID. He tolerates both of those drugs well. Our vet said steroids are an option if he worsens in the future, but he's been doing well for now. She wanted to try pain relief and NSAIDs before making the jump to steroids.

I elected not to do surgery because of his age and general prognosis. He hasn't needed any pain meds since February and is very functional and content. That being said, if he was 3 and not 7 when he was diagnosed, I'd be looking into surgery and gold bead implants too.

He does have a step to get into the Jeep, to limit jumping. Elevated food and water bowls to keep him from straining his neck. And no collars, ever. I want to buy a better harness than the one we use for Nosework, the one 4Dobes linked looks perfect. I did try a no-pull harness, but that made him trip, so that's out.

I also limit where and for how long we go hiking. His balance isn't that great, and some of the trails we used to go on are out because I don't want to risk him tripping. We just pick gentler areas and I make him stop when he starts getting tired.