Veterinary & hunting dogs: Little known syndrome, that of wobbler causes instability and insecurity in the walk of your dog which can degenerate into total paralysis of the forelimbs and hind limbs.
The dog affected by this disease is characterized by a certain instability on the paws and a noticeable wobble. Also called spondylolisthesis, cervical vertebral instability, cervical spondylopathy, cervical malformation, in reality the disease consists of a compressive phenomenon of the cervical spinal cord that can affect dogs at a young age, especially those of large and very large breeds such as the St. Bernard , the Great Dane, but also the Mastiff, Labrador, Dalmatian etc, but which often affects the dog around 6 years old, especially if male.
In general, these compressions occur due to vertebral instability, but also due to the malformation of the bone structure, poor skeletal articulation and alterations of the lumen in the spinal canal.
The symptoms are clear from the outset as the dog has difficulties in locomotion and in the most serious cases even neurological disorders. Initially, however, motor problems can be compensated for by the non-injured parts: the real problem occurs with the spread of the disease which slowly becomes irreversible and can, in the most drastic cases, lead to paralysis of the 4 legs.
The first symptoms visible to the owner are related to the dog's walk, which articulates longer steps with the hind limbs, but slowly the disease also involves the forelimbs which become more rigid and forcing the dog to take smaller and smaller steps.
The factors that normally accentuate the disease are too fast growth: this can be caused by an enhanced diet with too much calcium, phosphorus but also proteins. Trauma is also dangerous and often the main cause is a genetic predisposition.
Staggering, paresis and abnormal neck posture along with resistance to manipulation of the cervical area are all alarms that should alert the owner that something is wrong. Other signs are related to a certain incontinence on the part of the dog, but also sagging during any physical activity, the almost total impossibility of mating and getting off the ground.
It is not uncommon for Wobbler's syndrome to be confused with other similar ones: for example, generative myelopathy causes similar symptoms, such as vascular pathologies and brain tumors; what matters is that the diagnosis, preferably early, is confirmed by clinical examinations. In that case the healing can be even complete, together with the recovery of the use of the front and hind legs. The interventions are clearly surgical, preceded by some MRI or x-rays. The surgery is followed by a more or less long post-operative rehabilitation after which the dog can be considered completely healed.
In cases of mild syndrome, however, it is not uncommon to try to improve the situation with the exclusive use of anti-inflammatories and resting place of the animal which can be pinstriped or blocked at head height.
The advice therefore is always the same: observe your dog, take him periodically to a veterinarian and reserve all the attention he reserves for you; in this way many long and dangerous complications can be avoided.