All those years of raising Dobermans and I never had a case of CVI (cervical vertebral instability). Now Morgi (10 year old Corgi) has been diagnosed with this condition.

She had been showing occasional random stilted gait, mostly when going up stairs and last night she went down and stayed down. She was in a lot of pain and I first suspected she had blown out a disc, due to a Corgi's long back. She was vocalizing a lot and was really limping on the front legs when we would get her on her feet. I started thinking it may be her neck due to the way she was limping. Sure enough. It was her neck.

Anyway, looking for input on anyone who has successfully managed a CVI or wobbler dog long term without surgery.

She won't be allowed to do stairs anymore and is on steroids and pain meds for the next couple of weeks. Much as I hate using these meds, I didn't see a choice. She was almost immobile and in a LOT of pain.

This is really hard on all of us, she's always been such an active & athletic dog. No one ever believes that she's 10 years old. Our home is 3 levels and she spends her day traveling between the floors. She's stuck in the lower level now, so she has access to the outside with no stairs to negotiate.

I've spent a lot of time reading about treatment and prognosis, I guess I'm mostly interested in experiences you guys have had dealing with this condition.

thanks in advance.

I'm sorry, Cindy.

I have no personal experience, but I know that an issue of WDJ was devoted to it a few years ago. It may have been so long ago that the info is outdated ... but maybe not. If you have not seen it, let me know and I'll find it.

I have no personal experience either, Cindy, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear this about Morgi.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

I have no personal experience either, Cindy, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear this about Morgi.

Me either Cindy; but my best to Morgi.

Katie

I don't have any personal experience with CVI, I've only heard a few things peripherally that would likely be of no use here. The only dog I knew that had this problem ended up having surgery after a round of steroids but I know that's not what you want for Morgi. I don't know all of the details, but I think this dog did pretty well after surgery. I know it doesn't always go that way though.

I wish I had something of value to contribute, I'm so sorry you're going through this. My best to Morgi.

Cindy, I'm so sorry to hear this, Morgie the Corgi is one cool dog.

Thanks everyone....I appreciate it very much. If surgery is warranted and would help Morgi make a full recovery I think we'd consider it. she's a *young* old dog, and with the exception of this incident and breaking a molar she's never had one health issue her entire life.

I guess time will tell, we have to get through the next 2 weeks on steroids first. (like she wasn't hungry enough without them!)

Morgi is in my prayers.

I am sorry about what happen to Morgi. No one likes to see their animals sick and suffering. I don't know how helpful this is, but several owners from different breeds had dogs with wobbler's syndrome . I believe one woman owned a couple of Bernese. It appears like some of them had a surgery which weren't too successful.


http://www.sunstrike-great-danes.com/health-wobblers.php

You can view their discussion form here. http://www.dogexplorer.com/dog/index.php?PHPSESSID=620a2222b7a8f683271481478629c5a2&topic=178.new

http://www.dogexplorer.com/dog/index.php?PHPSESSID=acc0de736aca60a6d742ece6f73acac7&topic=96.0


A doberman who has a wobbler, but she used neck wrap and couple treatments of Apuncture. The owner of the doberman feeds raw. http://lauriesportraits.ipower.com//wobblers/index.html

Hey Cindy,

If you'd consider taking a road trip, I have an excellent neurological referral. There are 2 guys (one of whom has seen 3 of my dogs and done intensive surgery on 2) at a place near me (several hours from you, I'd guess) who specialize and patent ortho and neurological procedures and implants. They are so far ahead of what most vets have even HEARD of that I don't even go to my reg. vets first for anything tricky. I take 'em straight up to Dr.Pare.

3 years ago, I came home from work to find Widget w/extreme ataxia in his rear legs. My local vet said DJD, and prescribed prednisone and said one day he would just be paralyzed. I didn't like that diagnosis, so I called VSC in Buffalo Grove, IL. Dr. Pare took Widge on HIS LUNCH HOUR, we did an MRI, and he didn't see DJD at all, but rather 2 ruptured discs. I left him there and he did surgery on him at 6pm, after he saw his last patient. The longer you wait, the more likely permanent paralysis is to set in. Anyway, he removed the 2 ruptured discs, and did some procedure along most of his spine to weave the discs in place so that even if he ruptures more, they cannot damage his spinal cord. Widge is fine...no meds...no follow up. He's 9.

This is the same guy who saved Caleb from a TPLO for Pano. He also did extensive surgery on a female of mine a long time ago; a dog I was told should be put down b/c she would be crippled. Crippled, my ass. :-)

Anyway, I can get you his info if you're interested, but I know these 2 are lightyears ahead of ortho and neurological common thought. They often travel and teach their findings at vet schools. It may be a good place to try for Morgan.

Good luck.