Wobbler syndrome / Cervical Spondylopathy

Wobbler syndrome is caused by vertebral malformation or instability with or without associated soft tissue thickening most commonly involving the dorsal annulus of the intervertebral disc. Bulging of the disc compresses the spinal cord. Dogs commonly present with in-coordination or neurological deficits. Sometimes forelimb lameness or neck pain may be present due to nerve root compression.

Figure 1: Sagital T2 weighted MRI scan of a 9 year old MN Dalmatian with C5/C6 and C6/C7 dorsal annular protrusions.

Figure 2: Surgery was performed on this case. Distraction stabilisation of the C5/C6 and C6/C7 intervertebral disc spaces were performed using cement plugs and retention screws.