Surgery for Wobblers Diease in Dogs
Wobblers is a canine disorder involving the compression of the spinal cord. This compression causes the dog to have impaired mobility. No clear cause is known, but the compression seems linked to nutrition and to genetics.
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Affected Dogs
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Great Danes and Dobermans are the most commonly affected dog breeds. Young Great Danes (under the age of 1) and older Dobermans (between the ages of 3 and 9 years) are most likely to suffer from the condition. Male dogs develop the condition twice as often as females.
Before Surgery
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Mild cases of Wobblers is treated with rest, usually in a crate, and corticosteroid treatments to reduce inflammation. A neck or back brace can sometimes be used as well.
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Surgical Procedure
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The most common surgery actually fuses two of the cervical vertebrae together. This procedure helps alleviate some of the pressure.
Other Surgical Procedures
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In severe cases, a fake bone made of medical cement needs to be inserted into the spinal cord to prevent the compression.
Outcome of Surgery
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Long-term effects of surgery depend on the severity of the condition in the dog. Overweight dogs have a worse prognosis because the excess pounds put further strain on the spine. Some dogs regain full mobility; other dogs continue to decline even with treatment and must be humanely euthanized.
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References
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Comments
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ashleecrazee
Jan 24, 2010
i think my dog may have this disease, could you please email me asap. He is 6 years old and is slowly loses all functions in his rear end.
