Post by trinitydobes on Aug 13, 2011 14:05:09 GMT -5
Dobermann Head Bobbing Syndrome
Written by C. David McLaughlin DVM |
Submitted by C. David McLaughlin, DVM
“It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” (Sir Winston Churchill, 10-1-39). Churchill was speaking of Russia at the time, but the words apply equally well to the condition known as Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome. The Doberman Pinscher Foundation of America and veterinary neurologists across the country are receiving more frequent reports of the condition indicating either heightened awareness or increasing incidence. While no epidemiological studies have been done, the “gut feeling” is that we may be witnessing an emerging disease. The syndrome is one of many classified under the general term of “tremors”. Tremors are defined as rhythmic, oscillatory, involuntary movement of all or part of the body. The nervous or musculoskeletal systems are affected. Many breeds are afflicted with generalized tremor syndrome. Dobermans, Labradors, and English Bulldogs are all overrepresented with head tremors. Tremors in general are often the result of abnormalities in the brain, particularly in the cerebellum. Identified causes can be degenerative, congenital, inflammatory, immune mediated, or toxic.
In Dobermans, clinical features consist of a sudden onset of the tremor restricted to the head. In most cases the movement is up and down, but there are reports of side to side as well. The dogs appear to be conscious, responsive, and otherwise normal during an episode. Tremors typically stop spontaneously after several minutes and n some cases can be stopped temporarily by distracting the dog (for example, with food).
Diagnostic evaluation is typically normal, including neurological examination, blood studies, cerebral spinal fluid analysis and rain CTs and MRIs. There is no known effective treatment. Anti-seizure drugs such as Phenobarbital and bromide do not appear to help. Affected dogs do not develop other neurological deficits and in most cases the syndrome does not severely compromise the dog’s quality of life. In some cases the episodes eventually resolve.
The true nature of Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome is unknown. Although focal epilepsy is possible, the lack of response to anti-seizure drugs suggests some other cause. Some neurologists have even gone so far as to suggest stereotypy as a cause. Stereotypy is the abnormal repetition of an action or abnormal sustained maintenance of a position or posture as seen in some phases of schizophrenia. While this diagnosis seems unlikely it does illustrate the myriad of potential causes that have been considered. Most likely, based on what is known about tremors in general, some type of movement disorder associated with pathology located in the cerebellum is involved.
The apparent risk in certain breeds suggests that genetic factors are involved. One veterinary neurologist has seen several affected Dobermans with a family history further supporting this, but no one seems to be aware of any pedigree analysis.
At this present time, there appears to be no research being done on Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome. There certainly is enough anecdotal evidence suggesting a genetic cause of an emerging disease. Exercising caution in breeding Dobermans with a family history, even if the precise genetic mechanism for transmission is unknown, would seem, at least to this writer, to be prudent.
Submitted by C. David McLaughlin, DVM
Posted by Bitten
As a comment to the above -
Should your dog have this problem, the best "food" to use as a distraction is a teaspoon of honey - at least this is what I have seen.
The Bobbing Syndrome is not something people in general talk about, it also seems that this problem is being regarded as not uncommon, hence being "ignored" as a health problem. Gathering material in regard to track this problem down is a problem, and with reference to the previous said, hence veery few records, lack of pedigree information - but it's not a problem which has been overlooked, not within research groups either.
Just as the Dobermann Dancing Syndrome, these problems seems to become more evident, as owners and breeders are becoming more aware of this incorrect behaviour, which does have a huge impact on the overall life quality of the individual dogs.
Posted by TrinityDobes
Bitten, thanks for your great input! I have produced ONE puppy that developed this head bobbing @ about 6 months - they too found that the bobbing could be stopped, by distracting her with food - by the time she was 18 months old - she had "out grew"? the head bobbing and now at age 3 they have not returned. Its very frustrating to have something so prevalent, yet there be no real information. In 30 years and many dobes I have not experienced this behavior, I do wonder if it is associated with certain lines - since the last 30 years I've been pretty selective with the lines in the pedigree. Please keep us updated on any research you may come upon.
Also thank you for reminding me of Doberman Dancing Syndrome - I will go pull that information together for another sticky! We are building a great educational resource here!
Written by C. David McLaughlin DVM |
Submitted by C. David McLaughlin, DVM
“It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” (Sir Winston Churchill, 10-1-39). Churchill was speaking of Russia at the time, but the words apply equally well to the condition known as Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome. The Doberman Pinscher Foundation of America and veterinary neurologists across the country are receiving more frequent reports of the condition indicating either heightened awareness or increasing incidence. While no epidemiological studies have been done, the “gut feeling” is that we may be witnessing an emerging disease. The syndrome is one of many classified under the general term of “tremors”. Tremors are defined as rhythmic, oscillatory, involuntary movement of all or part of the body. The nervous or musculoskeletal systems are affected. Many breeds are afflicted with generalized tremor syndrome. Dobermans, Labradors, and English Bulldogs are all overrepresented with head tremors. Tremors in general are often the result of abnormalities in the brain, particularly in the cerebellum. Identified causes can be degenerative, congenital, inflammatory, immune mediated, or toxic.
In Dobermans, clinical features consist of a sudden onset of the tremor restricted to the head. In most cases the movement is up and down, but there are reports of side to side as well. The dogs appear to be conscious, responsive, and otherwise normal during an episode. Tremors typically stop spontaneously after several minutes and n some cases can be stopped temporarily by distracting the dog (for example, with food).
Diagnostic evaluation is typically normal, including neurological examination, blood studies, cerebral spinal fluid analysis and rain CTs and MRIs. There is no known effective treatment. Anti-seizure drugs such as Phenobarbital and bromide do not appear to help. Affected dogs do not develop other neurological deficits and in most cases the syndrome does not severely compromise the dog’s quality of life. In some cases the episodes eventually resolve.
The true nature of Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome is unknown. Although focal epilepsy is possible, the lack of response to anti-seizure drugs suggests some other cause. Some neurologists have even gone so far as to suggest stereotypy as a cause. Stereotypy is the abnormal repetition of an action or abnormal sustained maintenance of a position or posture as seen in some phases of schizophrenia. While this diagnosis seems unlikely it does illustrate the myriad of potential causes that have been considered. Most likely, based on what is known about tremors in general, some type of movement disorder associated with pathology located in the cerebellum is involved.
The apparent risk in certain breeds suggests that genetic factors are involved. One veterinary neurologist has seen several affected Dobermans with a family history further supporting this, but no one seems to be aware of any pedigree analysis.
At this present time, there appears to be no research being done on Doberman Head Bobbing Syndrome. There certainly is enough anecdotal evidence suggesting a genetic cause of an emerging disease. Exercising caution in breeding Dobermans with a family history, even if the precise genetic mechanism for transmission is unknown, would seem, at least to this writer, to be prudent.
Submitted by C. David McLaughlin, DVM
Posted by Bitten
As a comment to the above -
Should your dog have this problem, the best "food" to use as a distraction is a teaspoon of honey - at least this is what I have seen.
The Bobbing Syndrome is not something people in general talk about, it also seems that this problem is being regarded as not uncommon, hence being "ignored" as a health problem. Gathering material in regard to track this problem down is a problem, and with reference to the previous said, hence veery few records, lack of pedigree information - but it's not a problem which has been overlooked, not within research groups either.
Just as the Dobermann Dancing Syndrome, these problems seems to become more evident, as owners and breeders are becoming more aware of this incorrect behaviour, which does have a huge impact on the overall life quality of the individual dogs.
Posted by TrinityDobes
Bitten, thanks for your great input! I have produced ONE puppy that developed this head bobbing @ about 6 months - they too found that the bobbing could be stopped, by distracting her with food - by the time she was 18 months old - she had "out grew"? the head bobbing and now at age 3 they have not returned. Its very frustrating to have something so prevalent, yet there be no real information. In 30 years and many dobes I have not experienced this behavior, I do wonder if it is associated with certain lines - since the last 30 years I've been pretty selective with the lines in the pedigree. Please keep us updated on any research you may come upon.
Also thank you for reminding me of Doberman Dancing Syndrome - I will go pull that information together for another sticky! We are building a great educational resource here!
