Comparative Characteristics of the Wobbler Syndrome Correction in Dogs

Abstract

Wobbler syndrome is characterized by compression of the cervical spinal cord, resulting in varying degrees of neurological deficit. At the same time, the choice of the best method of treatment remains controversial, which confirms the fact that the correction of spondylopathy has not been studied enough. The aim of this study was to compare the methods of surgical treatment of cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs and to establish the most effective method. This study involved 45 dogs diagnosed with Wobbler syndrome. All animals underwent a clinical and neurological examination, including radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The animals were divided into three groups. The first group (n=19) included dogs that underwent the cage method, and after the screws were placed, bone cement was used to fix them. The second group (n=11) included animals that were caged and fixed with two beams. The third group (n=15) received a cage and fixation with two plates. As a result of the research, it was found that the use of two parallel plates, reinforced with four cortical screws located at angles of 25-350 in the bilateral direction, provides high-quality operations in 86.7% of cases due to the high ergonomics of the method. Correction with an interstitial cage with its strengthening with a diagonally placed intervertebral screw and two parallel transpedicular beams is successful in 63.6%, and the installation of screws with bone cement to fix the screws is successful in 58.0% of cases.