Fitzpatrick Referrals
Orthopaedics + Neurosurgery

Cervical Spondylomyelopathy / Wobbler’s Syndrome

How is Wobbler syndrome treated?

Various treatments are available to treat Wobbler syndrome depending on the precise cause and severity of the problem as well as the site of the nerve compression. We will advise you regarding the most suitable treatment for your dog on an individual basis.

1.Non-surgical management

Non-surgical management may allow some stabilization of the condition, at least in the short term, particularly in patients with only very limited disease development, although a significant proportion of dogs will continue to worsen with time. Three basic methods are usually recommended:

• Body weight management
• Exercise modification
• Anti-inflammatory / pain relief medications

Additional therapies such as hydrotherapy and physical therapy may also be important in achieving a positive long-term outcome.

2.Decompressive surgery

For dogs affected only by extrusion or protrusion of the intervertebral disc, or localized proliferations of soft tissue, with minimal instability or compression of the nerve roots, surgical decompression alone may be appropriate. This involves removal of some of the bony casing of the spinal canal, allowing us to remove any abnormal intervertebral disc material or soft tissue that might be compressing the spinal cord.

3.Spinal distraction - fusion

Over recent years, we have developed an innovative operation for treatment of patients with Wobbler syndrome instability between the vertebrae is suspected, or where abnormal intervertebral disc material or bone / soft tissue proliferations cannot be easily removed. This technique involves distraction (stretching) of the inter-vertebral joint by placing a specially-designed titanium screw (SpondyloFitz Spacer Screw) between the vertebrae, often supported by other internal metal implants. This combined treatment immediately relieves the compression on the spinal cord and nerves, and allows the vertebrae to fuse preventing further long-term problems from developing. Fusion of the vertebrae is often assisted by use of bone graft collected from the dog’s shoulders as part of the same surgical procedure. We are currently the only veterinary centre worldwide offering this specific technology.

Most patients are able to walk by the day after surgery, and are more comfortable than before the surgery within a few days. However, if the nerves have been severely damaged or compressed for a long period of time, some dogs can take a while to recover walking function and may take several months to achieve their best possible outcome. Postoperative care is particularly important to avoid complications and to allow full rehabilitation after surgery, and our on-site physiotherapy and hydrotherapy teams are frequently involved with post-operative management of patients undergoing this type of treatment.