Disease Description: A malformation of the vertebrae in the neck usually leading to nerve damage. Commonly seen in Doberman pinschers and causes a hackneyed gait (high stepping).

Inherit Mode: Unknown. It has been suggested to be autosomal recessive in the Great Dane, Doberman pinscher, and borzoi.

Disease Symptom: The main signs with this disease are weakness and incoordination (ataxia); these signs begin insidiously and worsen slowly over several months. It may look like your dog doesn't know where his or her feet are. This will be most obvious when she is rising from lying down, or negotiating a turn or stairs. Over time, your dog may develop a stiff, high-stepping, exaggerated gait that gradually worsens. The signs are bilateral and symmetrical (meaning they occur equally on both sides). All 4 legs are eventually affected, with the hind legs affected first, and more severely. Sometimes there is a sudden change for the worse as a result of minor trauma. Doberman pinschers often experience severe neck pain (as a result of disk herniation- see<a href="intervertebraldiskdisease.html">intervertebral disk disease</a>) and may develop rigid front legs. This is a chronic, progressive disease (ie. it gets worse with time). Without treatment, your dog's condition will gradually deteriorate. With therapy (either medical management or surgery) the prospect for recovery remains guarded.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Your veterinarian will suspect this disease if your large-breed dog displays the characteristic clinical signs: slowly progressive, bilateral, symmetrical hind leg weakness and ataxia. The front legs are affected after the hind legs, and usually less severely. Your dog&rsquo;s neck may be painful, and may be held flexed slightly downward. Plain x-rays are taken to show structural abnormalities in the vertebrae, butmyelographyis necessary to determine if there is spinal cord compression. In order to do a myelogram, your dog is anesthetized, dye is injected into the spinal canal, and x-rays are taken which will show the exact location(s) of spinal cord compression. This information is essential in considering treatment options, especially if surgical repair is to be attempted. Other imaging techniques, such as CT scans and MRI, may also be used. Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary referral centre for these specialized radiographic techniques, and for potential surgery.

Treat Method: The type of treatment chosen for this condition will depend on a number of factors, including the severity and duration of your dog&rsquo;s signs, and the extent of spinal cord compression apparent on radiography. The goals ofmedical managementare to minimize neck movement (through confinement and use of a neck brace) and use anti-inflammatory medications to prevent further damage to the spinal cord. Medical management may be effective for weeks to years, although it does not address the underlying problem of spinal cord compression. A variety ofsurgical techniqueshave been developed (and more are being developed) which attempt to both alleviate the spinal cord compression and stabilize the vertebrae. Surgery is not without risk, including a variety of potentially severe postoperative complications. Ultimately, the prospects for recovery depend on a number of factors, including duration and severity of clinical signs, and whether the spinal cord is compressed at a single site or at multiple sites. Because of the requirement for both specialized radiographic and surgical techniques in treating this condition, your veterinarian may provide initial neck stabilization and anti-inflammatory therapy for your dog, and then refer you to a veterinary referral centre for further treatment.

Breeder Advice: Although the exact mechanism of inheritance is not known, dogs with cervical vertebral instability should not be bred. (Unfortunately, because this condition often has a later onset, dogs may be bred before any problems appear). It is best to avoid breeding their parents or siblings as well, who are considered potential carriers of the trait. The best ways to avoid this condition in a large breed dog are to inquire before purchase if there is any family history of vertebral instability, to refrain from providing mineral supplements to the diet, and to feed several small meals daily (rather thanad libitum feeding).

Disease Description Source: Link