Wobbler’s Syndrome (technically called Cervical spondylomyelopathy or cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation) is an uncommon condition of the spinal cord in the neck of certain breeds of dog- in particular, Doberman Pinschers. Dogs with Wobblers Syndrome suffer from compression of the spinal cord caused by abnormal development of the vertebrae in the neck. Genetic factors and possibly nutrition may be involved.

Clinical signs of Wobblers Syndrome can be sudden or slowly progressive. Mild cases are characterized by subtle ataxia (incoordination) of all limbs, often evident as a long, protracted stride in the rear limbs, with short-strided gait in the front limbs. In severe cases, there is weakness or paralysis of all limbs. Neck pain may or may not be present.

Nonsurgical treatment of Wobblers is indicated for dogs with mild clinical signs and consists of exercise restriction, steroid use (prednisone) and, if necessary, weight loss. Surgery is indicated in animals with more severe neurologic deficits or for those that do not respond adequately to medications. 

Max was initially started on prednisone as well as acupuncture treatments.

After 2 months of therapy, Max was showing about 50% improvement in his signs. He was then started on an herbal medication aimed to help with cervical instability, or stagnant Qi. 

Within a few weeks of this, his foster reports that he is doing really well! His mobility is almost normal and he is even able to jump up onto his bed with a running start, which he could not do prior to this time. His fosters feel he is as close to "normal" as he's been since he came to be with us.

We expect that Max will need to continue on some combination of steroid, herbal medication, and possibly acupuncture to keep his symptoms at bay. He will need his new family to be very diligent with monitoring his mobility and to seek veterinary care if they feel anything is off with him. 

I have a condition called Wobbler's Syndrome which is unfortunately common for dobermans like me. You might notice that my walk is a little stilted or sometimes my back end takes a bit to catch up with my front end when I run...otherwise you'd probably never know there is anything different about me! The good news is that my veterinary team and my foster mom have been working out the best way to help me live a happy and normal life and I'm doing great! I take a low dose of prednisone each day to help with the swelling in my spinal cord and I also take a supplement to help with my overall mobility and function. I have been receiving acupuncture treatments as well and I'm pretty good for those although I'd rather have everyone in the clinic just pet me!

I love it here in my foster home, but I still dream of my forever family. Here is what I hope they'll be like:

-Looking for a companion to rest nearby while they're working, watching tv, doing housework, etc

-Provide lots of comfy beds, couches, and blankies for me

-Make sure there are always nylabones for me to chew

-A home with minimal stairs (I can do a few but it's harder for me, especially going down)

-Carpet or the ability to put down rugs for me to get traction on, hard floors aren't my favorite

-Other animals in the home are laid back and won't get in my face

-Commitment to continuing my care and making sure I'm as healthy and happy as possible for the rest of my days 

Could you be my forever family? I can't wait to meet you!