Caudal cervical spondylo‐myelopathy (wobbler syndrome) in the dog: a review of thirty cases

Abstract

Caudal cervical spondylo‐myelopathy was diagnosed in 30 cases admitted to the University of Queensland Veterinary Clinic (UQVC) over a four‐year period. The clinical signs at presentation and the radiographic changes detected varied considerably. A number of different surgical treatments were used and a small number of animals were treated conservatively. The results are presented, followed by some discussion concerning the aetiology and pathogenesis of this condition.

Cervical vertebral malformation‐malarticulation syndrome in the Bernese mountain dog: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features

“…In the BMDs reported here, the age of presentation ranged from 18 months to seven years. Multiple reports suggest that male dogs are overrepresented for CVMM (Read andothers 1983, Lewis 1989), although one report identified no sex predilection (Burbidge and others 1994). In this relatively small group of seven BMDs, male and female dogs were affected evenly.…”

Cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome) in the Boerboel

“…Genetic predisposition is likely, given the preponderance of certain breeds 7 . Those most often quoted as being predisposed to wobbler syndrome are the Doberman and Great Dane 20,26 . The syndrome has, however, been diagnosed in many others, including Basset Hounds, Rottweilers, Boxers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and English Mastiffs 7,8,30 .…”

“…This is well illustrated in the current study where medial deviation of pedicles was seen in 5 of the 8 typical cases. Lesions identified on survey radiographs do not always correlate with the site of compression, so myelography is essential to confirm the diagnosis and localise the lesion 14,20,26 . One of the 8 typical cases reported here showed no abnormalities on survey films.…”

“…There are few reports on the success of conservative therapy, which may be attempted for mild cases and includes the use of cage rest, neck braces, and corticosteroids 3,7,10,15,20,23,26 . Nineteen of 25 dogs that were not treated in one study were euthanased due to progression of symptoms 7 .…”

“…Dorsal laminectomy is best suited to multiple lesions or bony deformities such as those described in this report 23,30 . This technique has been associated with varied success 3,20 . A recent report 8 , however, recorded a good or excellent result in 19 of 20 dogs that undewent dorsal laminectomy, with a return to optimal neurological status within 2 weeks to 12 months.…”