Guest guest Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 We are dealing with a 1 year old Great Dane that has been diagnosed via MRI as a Wobbler. with spinal cord compression at C3-5. She knuckles the right front to the point that it drags sometimes. Ataxic all four but very functional. Owner noticed signs at 9-10 months of age and they do not seem to have progressed at this time approx 2 months from diagnosis. Neurologist has recommended against surgery at this time due to her high level of function. Owners are willing to pursue surgery if necessary. I would be interested if any of you have long term follow up with wobbler dogs and rehab with or without surgery. I would also be interested a to treatment regimins that have been used as hve not had one so young to deal with that surgery was an option as well. THanksJeff Bowra DVMCertified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Acu and gentle cervical mobilizations with strengthening exercises for the neck can help them regain normal to near normal life usually. Laurie Laurie McCauley, DVM TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation Grayslake, IL drmc@... www.tops-vet-rehab.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 Alpha-Stim microcurrent therapy and cranial electrotherapy stimulation can do wonders with neurological patients. This is NOT tens. We have protocols for this type patient and I have treated many with very good success for years. visit www.midwestmicrocurrent.com I am h appy to help if you so desire. Ava Ava Frick, DVMHartz 2006 Veterinarian of the Year Runner UpVeterinary Medical Director, EPI, Inc. Animal Fitness Centerwww.avafrick.comphone: fax: Wobblers We are dealing with a 1 year old Great Dane that has been diagnosed via MRI as a Wobbler. with spinal cord compression at C3-5. She knuckles the right front to the point that it drags sometimes. Ataxic all four but very functional. Owner noticed signs at 9-10 months of age and they do not seem to have progressed at this time approx 2 months from diagnosis. Neurologist has recommended against surgery at this time due to her high level of function. Owners are willing to pursue surgery if necessary. I would be interested if any of you have long term follow up with wobbler dogs and rehab with or without surgery. I would also be interested a to treatment regimins that have been used as hve not had one so young to deal with that surgery was an option as well. THanksJeff Bowra DVMCertified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canada No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.9/1636 - Release Date: 8/26/2008 7:09 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 Hi Jeff, I have cut and pasted some researched materials on the subject of surgical interventions in this area. The following deals with older dogs, but I think the same would apply with the younger animals as well. I defer to the neurologist on the list however. A Note on Surgical Interventions in the Cervical Spine Both medical and surgical treatment of caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy were able to improve the clinical conditions of the animal and slow the progression of clinical signs and MRI abnormalities.(da Costa & Parent 2007) Decompression by means of a ventral slot procedure appeared to hasten the development of additional areas of spinal cord compression and lesions in dogs. The median survival time for dogs with CSM treated surgically (36 months) was identical to median survival times for dogs treated medically.(da Costa et al 2006) Ventral slot decompression increases the range of motion of the operated segment, which could cause clinical instability.(Koehler et al 2005) As well, catastrophic neurologic injury can occur if an internal fixation and arthrodesis procedure inadvertently excludes an adjacent unstable segment.(Whitehill et al 1987) Cheers, Laurie Edge-, BScPT, MAnimSt, CAFCI, CCRT From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Jeff Bowra Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 11:23 PM To: VetRehab Subject: Wobblers We are dealing with a 1 year old Great Dane that has been diagnosed via MRI as a Wobbler. with spinal cord compression at C3-5. She knuckles the right front to the point that it drags sometimes. Ataxic all four but very functional. Owner noticed signs at 9-10 months of age and they do not seem to have progressed at this time approx 2 months from diagnosis. Neurologist has recommended against surgery at this time due to her high level of function. Owners are willing to pursue surgery if necessary. I would be interested if any of you have long term follow up with wobbler dogs and rehab with or without surgery. I would also be interested a to treatment regimins that have been used as hve not had one so young to deal with that surgery was an option as well. THanks Jeff Bowra DVM Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner 26841 Fraser Highway Aldergrove, BC, Canada No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.9/1636 - Release Date: 26/08/2008 7:09 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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