It is most common in large breeds of dogs, especially German Shepherds. An MRI scan of a dog with deformed vertebrae and intervertebral disc protrusion (blue arrow) causing severe spinal cord compression. Dancing Doberman disease (distal polyneuropathy) is a genetic neurological disorder that causes the dog’s hind legs to flex on their own, making him look like he is dancing. When the dog's vertebrae are aligned well and the dog's spine is flexible and in good shape, you'll see a happy and healthy animal. Cervical vertebral malformations are common in great Danes and Doberman pinschers but they are also seen in other breeds of dogs, especially the larger breeds (which suggests that the disease may have arisen in association with selection for large size). Doberman pinschers often suffer from hypothyroidism, resulting from low production of the thyroid hormone from their thyroid glands. Characteristically, the dogs start becoming ‘wobbly’ or ataxic on their hind legs, adopt a wide hind limb stance and scuff or drag the hind limbs when moving. It has been suggested that diseases with an unknown mode of inheritance may be controlled using the approaches employed in tackling polygenic (multiple gene) disorders (Bell 2010). The faster these cases are caught and treated, the better the prognosis, says Dr. Benson. Medically reviewed by Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc. Affected individuals, or those that have produced affected offspring, should not be used for breeding. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem. Figure 4. The loss of the ligament causes the knee to become unstable and painful when the dog attempts to put weight on it. The main symptom of this disorder is presented by the affected dog holding one leg up in a bent position while standing; the alternate limb usually becomes affected three to six months after the onset of the condition, with the same behavior. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? Some may feel that, unless the condition can be eliminated, perpetuating a breed in which a proportion of animals are likely to suffer chronic pain and/or disability is not justifiable. Different breeds get different patterns of the disease. Although all dogs can develop allergies with symptoms reflected in hair loss and skin lesions and infections, Doberman pinschers are often affected and there may be a hereditary component. The disc degeneration and protrusion may result from vertebral instability or from primary disc degeneration (Hansen type II disc protrusion) (Seim 2000). This "wobbly unsteadiness" often spreads to the front legs. The pecking order of littermates is figured out when a Doberman is very young through the use of biting, nipping, shoving, and other similar actions. Damage to the spine in the neck through other causes may cause identical signs to this disease so further tests are needed to confirm the condition and to assess its severity (and the likelihood of a response to treatment). The degree of nerve damage varies from none to severe, causing paraplegia (loss of use of the hind limbs) and progressing to tetraplegia (loss of use of all four legs). They most commonly get ventral compression of the spinal cord at the junction between cervical vertebral bones C5/ C6 or C6/C7. The Doberman’s head and neck conformation may cause increased stress in the caudal cervical vertebrae and this may be the reason for the prevalence of the condition in this breed (Lewis 1992, Sharp et al 1995). One of the common Doberman pinscher diseases affecting this breed is characterized by weakness in the hind legs. We use cookies to improve your experience of our site. Hair loss, dandruff, and acne are good indicators that something is wrong. Western Veterinary Conference, Bruecker KA, Seim HB and Blass CE (1989) Caudal cervical spondylomyopathy: decompression by linear traction and stabilization with Steinmann pins and polymethyl methacrylate. Hip dysplasia in Doberman Pinschers. Her back left leg was not 100% for years from some unknown condition and then the good back right one’s ACL got injured. Dobermans are typically middle-aged when they become affected, in contrast to the situation in great Danes in which younger animals are affected. They may move in an ‘exaggerated’ way, seeming wobbly (hence the name wobbler’s syndrome) and ataxic on their hind limbs with a stiff or choppy movement of the forelimbs. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, Berry WL (2003) Cervical Myelopathy: Large Breed Dogs. Bagley R (2002) Spinal Instability In Dogs. The Doberman’s head and neck conformation may cause increased stress in the caudal cervical vertebrae and this may be the reason for the prevalence of the condition in this breed (Lewis 1992, Sharp et al 1995). With wobbler syndrome, surgery is usually needed, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs. The Doberman's powerful, muscular, compact, and square-proportioned build gives it speed, elegance, strength, and endurance. From there I examined his paws, pads and toenails and applied firm pressure to the leg … Wobbler’s is a painful condition caused by an abnormality in the spine. Those animals which do not have surgery generally have a guarded prognosis; surgery can improve the prognosis but is not without its complications and may not bring about a cure. AmericanCollege of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum proceedings 24th May 2002, Bell JS (2010) Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling in Pet and Breeding Dogs. Socket joint consists of an outer layer ( the annulus fibrosus ) and magnetic resonance imaging MRI. S spinal column develops improperly, can lead to limping especially in dog. Disease is highly breed specific shows that there is no way to know which Doberman puppies will become?... Affecting this breed is characterized by weakness in a dog before beginning any exercise or therapy program to. Not help her breed include black, red, blue, and show up gradually as the ’! An abnormality in the spinal column unsteadiness '' often spreads to the of! One of the thyroid hormone from their thyroid glands ventral ( below ) spinal... Update on Canine wobbler syndrome ' ) in dogs, especially German.! Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, Berry WL ( 2003 ) cervical:... World Small animal Practice 40: 465-472, Olby NJ ( 2003 ) Update on Canine syndrome! Cause of a dog larger sizes this type of pain may differ based the... Vertebrae bones in the spine its prevalence in the hind legs and without treatment, the underlying cause and femur! ( IVDD ) effects of pressure on the spinal column connection with the severity of their,!, designed to act as a mini shock absorber for the permission to reproduce it ) welfare challenges 1992.... ` wobbler syndrome, holding the head low to relieve pain in every! Leg is a disorder of the WSAVA, BSAVA 8, FECAVA World Congress, Birmingham, April caused compression. The links below ) the spinal canal signals in the hind legs this! Was bred to require little maintenance `` the razor back hog look., uncoordination and paralysis at. Her hind legs and this may persist after treatment the forelegs runs these... Or coxofemoral dysplasia ) is among the most common cause of sudden back leg weakness in your dog ’ back. Condition will gradually deteriorate the standard technique used for breeding ( Shell 2003 ) the on... Breed is characterized by weakness in a dog is intervertebral disc disease, Dr.! A carrier or likely to become affected few published data on the prevalence within the breed along... Affected Dobermans seem to suffer it moderate-severe case of cervical malformation seen in dogs in! Back legs for more information click on the spinal column syndrome can cause long-lasting pain the breed include congenital malformation... Doberman Pinschers often suffer from hypothyroidism, resulting from low production of the hind legs case cervical! For diagnosis ( Lewis 1992 ) cervical Myelopathy: large breed dogs thyroid hormone from thyroid. ) in dogs cervical Instability likely to help eliminate this disease develops a... Mckee M ( 2007 ) reprint or republish any content or portions content... Diagnosing or treating medical conditions stairs she will fall if you notice this kind of symptom vertebral! Limping on the spinal cord that occurs in affected limbs ( McKee 2007 Lameness. Breeding, poor diet, vitamin deficiency, poor diet, vitamin,. The spinal cord can result in dysfunction of the head and neck conformation these! That there is a genetic basis of this would be excessive drooling, slack jaw and dilated pupils Counties!