Dog Community

My best friend's a 'wobbly dog'

Posted : 11/21/2009 4:24:31 AM

Jazz lives everyday with the challenge of walking without falling over. She has been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder known as Cerebellar Abiotrophy. CA effects balance, stance, coordination, depth perception and all motor skills. Despite her disorder, she is a happy and very intelligent dog and is in no pain ... but must have a lot of bruises! She is 2 years old now, and to let you get an idea of the degenerative nature of canine CA, I have posted a link to 2 short videos (about 25secs ea.) one taken just over a year ago before CA was diagnosed and one just last month. Take a look and spot the difference. Jazz August 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7KlhbHTLVQ Jazz October 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibBzem_dv3A I was wandering if anyone knows much about CA and if there's anything I can do to slow the degeneration of her cerebellum functions. I've heard about neurophyscial therapy but what does this involve? And what would you do if you had a special dog like Jazz?

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 11/22/2009 12:16:59 AM

Wow, I've never seen CA in dogs before. The differences in her movement in those two videos are huge.

I have seen it in an Arabian horse before, & it was really scary.

I don't know anything about treating something like this. Obviously, she's already seen a neurologist to be diagnosed so, if she were mine and the neurologist didn't have a specific treatment plans, I would probably have her seen by an acupuncturist, just in case there was something that they could do to help her balance.

I personally have a "wobbler" and our plan for him is to let him live his life to the fullest. We do try to minimize risks of him injuring himself, but at the end of the day, we let him be himself. If there comes a day when he can't live a life where he can be comfortable, happy, & pain free, then it will be my responsibility to help him over the bridge.

calliecritturs

Posted : 11/22/2009 1:39:10 AM

Because it's neuro in nature I would be trying TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) -- not to leave your vet, but rather to use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to "compliment" what your vet is doing.

Dr. Roger Clemmons is knowns all over the world in his work on DM in dogs (and Wobbler's like Bevo has) and if I'm not mistaken CA as well. He's one of the vets on staff at the Chi Institute http://www.tcvm.com -- and he is also the head neurosurgeon at the U of Florida at Gainesville (vet school). You can email him thru the University -- you might want to have your vet email him -- he'd be the first go-to guy I'd suggest. What that man knows about a dog's neck is unbelievable.

Acupuncture is awesome for neuro stuff. From seizures to injuries to genetic stuff. It can really make a huge difference.

CA-Jazz

Posted : 11/22/2009 1:41:12 AM

Yeh, you're right. She's fine on her own at the moment, I'll just have to reassess when the time comes, she'll let me know. Its hard though, they're so special, wobbly dogs are even more special :) Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy your time with yours.

CA-Jazz

Posted : 11/22/2009 1:50:01 AM

Hi Callie, I've never been keen on 'alternate therapy' but maybe its worth a try. I'm in Australia so I'll have to find an equivalent. Acupuncture.... for some reason I can't see Jazz lying down for a long period of time with someone strange poking her. She can hardly let someone other than me cut her nails or bath her. She's a very anxious, stubborn girl. Thanks again for the advice.