Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler Syndrome) in Dogs (original) (raw)

Cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is a common disease of the cervical spine of large and giant breed dogs. CSM is characterized by dynamic and static compressions of the cervical spinal cord, nerve roots, or both, leading to variable degrees of neurologic deficits and neck pain. CSM is a controversial disease. There are few diseases in veterinary medicine that have been referred to by 14 different names. Wobbler syndrome, caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy, cervical spondylopathy, cervical spondylopathy disc associated compression, cervical vertebral instability, cervical malformation/malarticulation syndrome, cervical spondylolisthesis, cervical stenotic myelopathy, disc-associated wobbler syndrome, cervical spinal stenosis, cervical subluxation, cervical vertebral instability-malformation syndrome, and cervical spondylotic myelopathy are all terms that have been used to describe the disease. 1–13 The pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of CSM are also controversial. No fewer than 21 surgical techniques have been proposed to treat CSM. This diversity of treatment approaches reflects the lack of understanding of the basic mechanisms of CSM. Fortunately, recent studies have aimed at understanding the mechanisms leading to CSM. Only with a thorough knowledge of the disease will the treatment of CSM evolve. Palmer and Wallace, 1 in 1967, were the first to describe CSM in young Basset hounds. Later in the 1970s, Great Danes appeared as the most commonly affected breed. 2,14 Since the early 1980s, Dobermans have accounted for the majority of the reported cases. 4,9,15–17 Although no prevalence study has been performed, it is likely that CSM is the most common disease of the cervical spine of large and giant breed dogs. Canine CSM bears similarities with the cervical spondylotic myelopathy of humans and the Doberman breed has been proposed as a natural model to study this disease in humans. 18 Not surprisingly, much more is known about cervical