|
|
Post by Shadowlands on Aug 20, 2011 12:46:40 GMT -5
Just a question really. Is there any actual test for diagnosing Wobblers? And if so, is this the test that is being done in Europe when they claim Wobblers Clear? From my understanding there is no genetic test available to see if dam or sire will pass on any "wobbler" genes. I guess this is a question for the breeders. Do you utilize this test in your breeding programs or do you already know that your lines are wobbler free? Is there such thing as a wobbler free line? Or can it pop up anywhere? Forgive my ignorance on this as I don't know a heck of a lot about this. Lol! Hence my questions I suppose.  |
|
|
|
Post by trinitydobes on Aug 20, 2011 21:43:12 GMT -5
Sandy as far as I know there is not current test - genetic or otherwise to predict whether a dog will get wobblers. I supose you could do neck rads and make the statement Wobblers Clear as of the date the radiographs were taken - but it would not be a test predicting if, when, or whether a dog would acquire wobblers.
Now Bitten did post the information below in the Health Issues Thread
Posted by Bitten
In regard to Wobbler Syndrome.
As we speak a new research into the genetic disposition of wobbler syndrome is being conducted. It's fairly new, but again I truly hope, that the outcome of this research will be beneficiary to the breed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadowlands on Aug 21, 2011 9:52:35 GMT -5
"The Myelogram test is only to confirm or not that cervical spondylopathy is present in that dog!" This is a quote that was said to me a while ago regarding wobblers. From what I understood this test is only for testing that particular dog for wobblers. Do I have that wrong?
|
|
|
|
Post by trinitydobes on Aug 21, 2011 15:04:24 GMT -5
Sandy I believe you are right that the MRI or MYELEOGRAM is to diagnose whether or not a dobe has wobblers.
HOWEVER - Bitten specifically stated "genetical" test which to me suggested a genetic test which should predict the possiblity of developing Wobblers not diagnose wobblers.
Now IMHO the conformation of the channel that the spinal cord goes through could be genetic in conformation - but to me - the biggest culprit in the onset of wobblers in most dogs is poor neck conformation - that is genetic but more cause by poor physical structure than the channel within the neck vertebrae being malformed.
Breeders not breeding for those long swan necks perched too high on the shoulder woudl be a good start to eliminating the propensity for a dobe to acquire wobbers - IMHO
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadowlands on Aug 21, 2011 15:35:42 GMT -5
Have you noticed then a correlation between the necks and confirmed cases of Wobblers?
|
|
|
|
Post by trinitydobes on Aug 21, 2011 15:44:20 GMT -5
Sandy yes I have - in a very informal way only - and purely anecdotally when I have studied dogs with wobblers they seem to a higher set neck without much of a base of support and yes the appearance of a longer neck as well.
It would be interesting to me to know if the longer neck is created with longer neck vertebrae and its these longer neck vertebrae (because you would not increase neck length with more verebrae) are the problem because they "may" have a propensity for that spinal cord channel through the vertebrae to be smaller or more constrictive?
Also can we assume that a longer neck vertebrae might not be as strong in the column as shorter ones. Or would the longer vertebrae have a nigher risk for mis-alignment?
Interesting thoughts and another area that will benefit greatly from research.
|
|
|
|
Post by trouble on Aug 23, 2011 11:24:59 GMT -5
It's a NEW research which is being run as we speak ...
|
|
|
|
Post by trouble on Aug 23, 2011 11:26:54 GMT -5
The problems as I have understod, is not the actual lenght of the neck - but the lenght of the neck compared to the overall body - Neck must be in correct porpotion = a shot neck is just as bad as a long neck ...
|
|
|
|
Post by trinitydobes on Aug 24, 2011 17:09:23 GMT -5
I also think that the placement or joining of the head to neck and neck to shoulder would also affect possible predisposition to wobblers - improper structure will affect soundness.,
|
|
|
|
Post by trouble on Sept 14, 2011 5:25:15 GMT -5
->
HOWEVER - Bitten specifically stated "genetical" test which to me suggested a genetic test which should predict the possiblity of developing Wobblers not diagnose wobblers.
<-
I have posted links to the research group on FB/Save the Dobermann plus on my own page and USADobermann Forum - you can require FREE swab kits, which I have. The research is taken place in the USA - and I expect that one do get a result on the tests send in, hence I'm awaiting the test results.
|
|
|
|
Post by trouble on Sept 14, 2011 5:30:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by dobs4ever on Sept 14, 2011 8:09:25 GMT -5
Wobblers is an abnormality in the spine that causes the vertabrae to pinch the nerves. Coming from a strong Chiropractic background that means that it slowly wears away the nerve, restricts blood flow to the area and therefore eventually causes the wobbly gait that it was named after.
Anytime any part of the body is elongated like the neck it means that the ligaments and muscle that supports it is also stretched out so not as solid - this means neck problems period.
The difference in wobblers and neck injury is that the spine is misformed in wobblers and the problem can't be fixed by chiropractic adjustments.
It is often misdiagnosed because it is common in the Doberman breed so vets tend to diagnose any neck problem as Wobblers and it goes untreated.
Last year one of my families called me as their puppy at 6 months was diagnosed with wobblers - she has an older Doberman of mine and they play rough. When they called me just devastated I said take her to a chiro - I doubt seriously that at 6 months she has wobblers. They took her for two adjustments and she has been find since.
You all know I strongly believe in regular check ups for my guys with the chiro. People who are not experienced with this type of problem don't recognize symptons until they are much more exaggerated and then it is too late. An injury that goes untreats for example can cause bone spurs to form that cause problems like CVI. I believe that we would have less neck problems in our breed if we did more chiropractic tune ups.
If one of my dogs yelps - is off in gait - does not put pressure on a leg - looks crooked etc It is off to the chiro and it straightens it right up so the blood flow and pressure is taken off the nerve and normal range of motion is restored.
|
|
