One of the scariest diagnoses that a pet owner can hear is that their dog or horse has Wobblers Syndrome. Technically known as Cervical Spondylomyelopathy or a few other names, Wobblers is an often-mystifying condition that causes worrying symptoms like stumbling, neck and back pain, and sometimes even paralysis. It’s most common in Great Danes and Dobermans, with 4-5% of those breeds being affected. There is no cure for Wobblers, and depending on how advanced the symptoms become, sometimes treatment isn’t effective. Until recently, those treatments have been few and far between, but due to recent advances in surgery and Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy (tPEMF™), some animals diagnosed with Wobblers even early in life can live comfortably for years.

 

Wobblers is caused by spinal cord compression in the neck. This compression can be a result of bulging or herniated discs, or it could be caused by an inherited bony vertebral malformation. However, there is much variation in types of Wobblers disease, and some veterinary professionals believe the only true positive diagnosis can occur in an autopsy, so there are often more questions than answers.

 

Surgery can be a very effective option. A recent study at Ohio State University showed that, of 104 dogs with Wobblers observed, that 80% improved after surgery, while only 50% of dogs medically managed (who were given steroids and painkillers) showed improvement. There are currently nearly two dozen different surgeries that can treat Wobblers. Unfortunately, surgery is often prohibitively expensive, and always comes with its own set of risks.

 

For those seeking a more economical and non-invasive treatment for Wobblers, this is where the Assisi Loop™ comes in. One of the most important things to do for a dog that has Wobblers is to reduce the pressure on the spinal cord. When Wobblers is caught relatively early on, the Assisi Loop’s targeted PEMF therapy can be very effective in reducing the inflammation between vertebrae, and therefore can help reduce the pressure on the spinal cord that causes Wobblers symptoms.

 

How does the Assisi Loop work? To put it simply, the Assisi Loop’s microcurrents stimulate the body’s own healing process by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is essential to many body functions such as controlling localized blood pressure (and therefore swelling). targeted PEMF microcurrents stimulate the cascade of molecular binding that leads to the release of NO. The proliferation of NO speeds along the recovery process, and, in many cases, quickly reduces swelling, inflammation and pain.

 

Dogs that have Wobblers Syndrome need inflammation reduced. When the Loop is placed over the head like a collar, or (if the head is too large) held in place over the back of the neck over the affected vertebrae, the swelling in the spinal cord is reduced and symptoms are often alleviated. The Assisi Loop treats for 15 minutes at a time, and, after the first month or two in which multiple daily treatments may be necessary to “jump-start” healing, many pet owners see consistent maintenance when using the Loop only once a day.

 

The Assisi Loop has been used for many animals with Wobblers, often with great results. Check out video of one case, a Great Dane named Ranie.

 

Since there is no cure for Wobblers, the Assisi Loop will need to be used continually (usually one 15-minute treatment per day) to maintain the animal’s mobility and comfort. However, the Loop is an economical choice – especially compared to surgery – and it also spares your animal the risk of complicated and invasive surgery.

 

To learn more about the Assisi Loop, contact our office by emailing info@assisianimalhealth.com or calling 866-830-7342.

 

Useful resources:

 

Ohio State University’s Information about Wobblers

 

Wobblers on PetMD