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Category: Dogs

great dane in car

Protecting Your Gentle Giant: Understanding Wobbler Syndrome in Large Dogs

As a loving owner of a large dog, you’d do anything to keep your gentle giant healthy and happy. But what if an invisible condition was lurking, capable of robbing your furry friend of their mobility? Enter Wobbler Syndrome, a complex condition that primarily affects large and giant breed dogs. Let’s dive into what you need to know to protect your four-legged family member.

Key Takeaways:


    • Wobbler Syndrome primarily affects large and giant breed dogs
    • Early detection is crucial for better outcomes
    • Symptoms progress from mild clumsiness to severe mobility issues
    • Various treatment options are available, including surgery and non-invasive therapies

What is Wobbler Syndrome?

Wobbler Syndrome, scientifically known as Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (CSM), is a progressive disease involving compression of the vertebral column, resulting in spinal cord trauma. This serious condition often goes undetected in its early stages, as the first symptoms can easily be mistaken for arthritis. 

“Early recognition of even subtle gait changes, clumsiness, and a lower carriage of the head should alert the owner [of Wobbler Syndrome, leading the way to] an earlier diagnosis, which allows the specialist to design a plan and, I believe, improves the long-term prognosis.”

Is Your Gentle Giant at Risk?

While any dog can develop Wobbler Syndrome, your large or giant breed pup is at significantly greater first. In fact, in a recent study, only five of the participating 105 dogs were small breeds.

Breeds Most Likely to Develop Wobbler Syndrome

Is your furry friend one of these breeds? They may be more susceptible:

  • Great Danes
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Mastiffs
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Dalmatians

Did you know? If your dog is male, he’s twice as likely to develop Wobbler Syndrome compared to female

Age Matters

Decoding the Warning Signs

Keep a close eye on your pup! These progressive symptoms of Wobbler Syndrome might first appear to simply be quirky or clumsy behaviors.

Early Warning Signs

  • Is your dog clumsy with their back legs?
  • Have you noticed an abnormal or widened gait in their back legs?

As the Condition Progresses

  • Are your dog’s back toenails more worn down than usual?
  • Has your usually friendly pup become more anti-social?

Advanced Symptoms

  • Has the stiffness spread to your dog’s front legs and neck?
  • Is your furry friend having trouble getting up or seeming extremely tired?
  • In severe cases (about 5% of cases), your dog may experience paralysis

Hope on the Horizon: Treatment Options for Your Dog

While Wobbler Syndrome is a serious disease that requires immediate attention, there’s good news. Many creative options can help slow down the progression of symptoms and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Surgical Solutions

Surgery is common for dogs with Wobbler Syndrome and typically involves the removal of a portion of the spine to reduce compression. In a 2008 study, 81% of dogs that underwent surgical treatment for Wobbler Syndrome had an improvement post-procedure.

Non-Invasive Treatments

  • Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (tPEMF™) therapy:
    Assisi Loop® therapy,a drug-free tPEMF devices, provide significant relief for pets suffering from inflammatory conditions like Wobbler Syndrome. Assisi Loop therapy is a clinically proven alternative for dogs that aren’t viable candidates for surgery and can be easily used alongside other treatments.
  • Alternative Therapies:
    Acupuncture and chiropractic therapy have grown in popularity. Treatments like gold bead acupuncture have shown benefits for dogs with Wobbler Syndrome.

Living with Wobbler Syndrome: A Success Story

When 15-month-old Great Dane Ranie started staggering around and walking with extreme difficulty, her owner brought her in for a consultation with veterinarian Dr. Tim Crowe DVM, DACVS, DACVECC.

Dr. Crowe applied the Assisi Loop to Ranie’s neck, and after just 10 minutes, he began to see a difference. After 20 minutes, he noticed improved coordination. “She was able to rise on her own and her gait improved. Right there, within 10-20 minutes, you see her gait change,” Dr. Crowe recalls.

Dr. Crowe sent the Assisi Loop home with Ranie’s owner, instructing them to use it three to four times a day. After two weeks of regular treatments, Ranie’s gait showed significant improvement. “Four months after the initial application you can’t tell her from her other Great Dane playmate!” Dr. Crowe exclaimed.

Quick Tips: What You Can Do Now

  • Switch from a neck collar to a harness
  • Provide non-slip surfaces for easier walking
  • Monitor your dog’s gait and energy levels
  • Consult your vet if you notice any symptoms

Take Action Today!

Don’t wait for advanced symptoms to appear in your furry friend. Early detection and treatment can make all the difference in managing Wobbler Syndrome. If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, book a check-up with your vet as soon as possible.

Remember, your gentle giant relies on you to be their health advocate. By staying informed and vigilant, you can ensure many more years of tail-wagging happiness together!

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How Does Assisi Loop Therapy Benefit Senior Dogs? An Interview with Dog Owners

From daily nature walks to trips to the park, we treasure the routines we’ve created with our dogs. Routines provide great bonding opportunities and ensure our pups get the exercise and mental stimulation they need. However, as our dogs age, adjustments are often necessary to accommodate their changing physical abilities. As pet owners, we are in the best position to notice signs of aging and create a care plan that helps our senior dogs age comfortably. In this article, we’ll share stories of senior dogs like Pickles, Maggie, and Pebbles and how Assisi Loop Therapy has played a key role in managing pain and improving their quality of life.

Miss Pickles’ Journey with Assisi Loop Therapy

For some dogs, the effects of aging are accelerated by lifestyle factors. This was the case for Miss Pickles, a 10 ½-year-old pug who developed early-onset arthritis. Her owner, Margaret, noticed signs of arthritis when Miss Pickles became stiff at night—one of the common signs of discomfort in senior dogs. When looking for ways to ease her pain, Miss Pickles’ veterinarian recommended the Assisi Loop®, a targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (tPEMF™) therapy device that helps reduce pain and inflammation without drugs.

“It was so easy to use,” Margaret happily reports. “After four months of Assisi Loop Therapy, Miss Pickles is less stiff!” Not only is the Assisi Loop drug-free, but it’s also non-invasive and side-effect free, making it the perfect intervention for senior pets. It’s also portable, allowing senior pets to reduce pain and inflammation from the comfort of home. Margaret adds, “It makes me feel so much better. We’re being proactive with her comfort without the use of any pharmaceutical medications.”

How Assisi Loop Therapy Improved Maggie’s Quality of Life

Maggie, a 14-year-old Bichon Poodle mix, was an active dog, regularly hiking with her owner, Nicole. However, Nicole, a Fear Free certified dog trainer, began noticing signs of aging in Maggie—longer recovery times, stiffness after walks, and increased sleep. As a senior dog with joint inflammation, Maggie’s body was slower to heal. Nicole turned to Assisi Loop Therapy for senior dog joint pain and saw immediate benefits.

“Getting her used to the Assisi Loop Lounge pad was easy,” Nicole recalls. “My dogs love their Assisi Loop Lounge, and Maggie climbed right on. She didn’t even know anything was different.” After six months of use, Nicole noticed faster recovery times after busy days and relief when Maggie felt sore or off. “A quick session with Assisi Loop Therapy greatly helps,” she explains. Nicole loves the Loop’s portability and versatility. “Sometimes I put the pad on her dog bed or on the bed with me and cover it with her favorite blanket. She can relax and recover at the same time. A pet that is pain-free and happy is my goal, and I’m so happy Assisi helps us reach that.”

Pebbles’ Journey with Senior Dog Dementia and Pain Management

Pebbles, a 15½-year-old Maltese, remained active and playful well into her senior years. However, her owner Brandi noticed subtle signs of aging, including stiffness and symptoms of Canine Cognitive Disorder (CCD), also known as dog dementia. Along with these mental challenges, Pebbles also dealt with separation anxiety and physical discomfort.

“A couple of years ago, we were introduced to Calmer Canine to help with some of Pebbles’ separation anxiety issues,” Brandi recalls. “At the time, it was exactly what we needed, and it not only helped Pebbles but Bruiser & Jax, as well.” The Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment System™, which utilizes similar tPEMF technology as the Assisi Loop, helps canine anxiety by reducing inflammation in the emotional center of the brain.

With her anxiety under control, Brandi turned to the Assisi Loop for senior dog inflammation to address Pebbles’ stiffness and pain. “It was super easy to just lay the Loop on top of her while she rested at my feet,” Brandi says. “Pebbles is less stiff and more active, ready for the next adventure! I would most definitely recommend the Assisi Loop as a treatment for inflammation and discomfort in senior pets. We never leave home without it!”

Why Assisi Loop Therapy is Ideal for Senior Dog Care

As dogs age, they face various physical and cognitive challenges, including arthritis, joint pain, and dementia. Assisi Loop Therapy is an effective, drug-free solution to manage these conditions, offering the following benefits:

  • Reduces pain and inflammation associated with aging, arthritis, and joint issues.
  • Non-invasive and side-effect free, making it a safe option for senior dogs.
  • Portable and easy to use at home, reducing the stress of frequent vet visits.

With proven success in improving mobility, reducing pain, and enhancing recovery times, the Assisi Loop is a must-have for owners of senior pets looking to improve their dogs’ quality of life.

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