Question:
I have a 5 year old male Doberman. (90lbs). He's been having problems walking for the last 1.5 years. It's hard for him to even get up. He never runs....just hobbles. His front paws look like they will colapse each time he bends them. Originally, I thought he was just heavy for a doberman....but the condition appears to be getting worse. Someone told me it could be a liver or kidney problem. Anybody heard of this?

Thanks in advance for your time.

Answer:
Dobermans are predisposed to a condition called "Wobbler's Syndrome".

What does your vet say? I'm assuming you have taken him, since this has been going on for 1 1/2 yrs?

Answer:
Easy people, easy........

Think before you post

About the Doberman. Can you please elaborate more on this problem and what your vet has told you what he thinks the problem is and how to treat it?

Heather

Answer:
You really have to go to a vet pdq.
It sounds like Wobblers syndrome and it can get worse. It usually does.
IF it's Wobblers they can put your dog into a neck cast for several weeks/months to see if it helps.

Pls read up on the condition here:
http://hometown.aol.com/clcw/
http://www.chetbacon.com/wobblers.htm
http://www.doberescue.com/faq/items/75.html

And also where did u get the dog from? A Breeder?

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(the three of us posted at the same time too funny)

Answer:
Originally Posted by Luba
(the three of us posted at the same time too funny)


I know! Then when I saw the order they were in, I was worried LR would think I was referring to her (which I wasn't).

Heather

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Thanks for the information. The last time he was at the vet (1 year ago), it wasn't that bad....the vet. didn't even say anything. I have appoint for this Monday. It's only gotten really noticable the past 3 months. However, as I think back.....I remember seeing signs of it 1.5 years ago.

Answer:
So discuss it with yur vet and know your options.

Read the article links I posted and hopefully if its Wobblers there is something they can do for your dog.

Now, lets see some pictures

Answer:
Because I have experience with Dobermans and, unfortunately, Dobermans with Wobblers, I can honestly say that this is what it sounds like. I rescued a large male dobe that had this debilitating disease. The first symptoms I noticed were much like what you describe. It steadily progressed to where he was barely able to get around at all. I had to lift him (quite difficult considering he weighed in excess of 120 pounds!) up and down the stairs and up onto my bed. I actually posted here my first time right before I had to have him put to sleep. He was my best friend and my heart aches even now.

Definately get this boy to a vet right away, preferably one who has dealt with Wobbler's before. It's not a well-known disease and, unfortunately, there are even vets who are not very familiar with it. Do your own research online. You can find a great deal of info simply by searching Wobbler's Disease and/or Wobbler's Syndrome.

I wish you the very best.

God bless you!

Answer:
I was worried LR would think I was referring to her
Yes, I did think so, and was puzzled because I didn't think I had said anything wrong.

Answer:
Thanks again for all your posts. I called the vet today to see if he had any experience with Wobbler's. Unfortunatley, he didn't.....he advised against any type of surgery. I'm to meet with him on Monday.

Heiress68 (or for that matter, anyone): Do you know if there is any pain associated with this illness? My dog dosn't seem to have any. I've read the links above and I think it mentions pain, but it dosn't say a whole lot.

Thanks again.

Answer:
Have your vet refer you to someone who does have experience with this syndrome or contact a doberman rescue in your area.

The alternative collar support seems to work on some dobes.

Answer:
I don't know where you are but here you go:


http://www.dpcacope.org/directory.htm (in the U.S)

http://www.dogsaver.org/doberman/canada.htm (in Canada)

Rescue may be able to tell you who to go to in your area

Or a breeder may as well.

Best of luck.

Answer:
One:
I am sorry to say that there is, indeed, pain associated with Wobbler's. As pet owners, we have to remember that our pets do not reveal their pain in the same way that we do. Sometimes, dogs are in excrutiating pain, and their owners never know. As you study up on this horendous disease, you'll begin to understand that there's no way a dog could not be in pain with it. As the disease progresses, the pain increases, becoming more intense and prolonged. I have no doubt that at the end of my beloveds life, he was in constant pain, with no relief. With diseases such as Wobbler's, it simply becomes a matter of "quality of life." Personally, I had made a promise to Shabach ('Bach for short) that he would never suffer again. I adopted him from a rescue. He had been abused and neglected and the love he was given in the early years was snatched away as soon as a human baby entered the picture. I promised that he would always have love and that I would never leave him. When I carried him to the Vet (with help) on the day I put him to sleep, I still hoped he would come back home with me that day. But, he was in so much pain. He couldn't walk... He was in shock and his red cells were extremely low. I couldn't put him through anymore. I kept my promise that day, and cried for days afterward. His ashes now sit on my dresser and my promise that I would never leave him is intact.

I guess I say all this to explain that there is definately a lot of pain associated with this disease- pain for the dog mostly, but also for the owner. It is debilitating and heartbreaking. The meds that are often administrered ease the pain for awhile but lead to other problems such as kidney disease and extreme diarrhea (made that much worse because the dog can't walk!). My heart goes out to you.

The best suggestion I can make is to tell you to study the disease, seek the most knowledgeable counsel available, and love that dog with your whole heart. My prayers are with you!

God bless!

Answer:
I am not sure where you are located but I would call the University of Guelph and find out what vets in your area are knowlegable about this disease. I put a few links about wobblers at the bottom but I would not jump to any conclusions before you speak to someone who knows what they are talking about. Definitely not your vet if this has been going on for 1.5 years and he has not suggested anything or recommended you see a specialist I would find a new vet. If my vet did not know what was wrong with my dog or suspected something he would refer me to someone who did. I think your vet should have noticed this as well as seeing if your dog was in pain. If this is wobblers they can do different treatments as well as accupunture has been know to work on this in conjunction with other treatments. If you would like pm me and I can put you in touch with someone who has just been through wobblers and is still recovering from it.



www.chetbacon.com/wobblers.htm
hometown.aol.com/clcw/ dealing with wobblers without surgery
www.animalhospitals-usa.com/ dogs/bone_wobblers_syndrome.html

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