Wobbler Disease in Horses

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Wobbler syndrome is the common term for cervical vertebral myelopathy, a condition in which the spinal cord becomes compressed because of a narrowing or instability affecting one or more vertebrae. Pressure on the spinal cord causes irritation and swelling of the spinal cord. The condition develops slowly, and early signs may be missed.

Symptoms

Common in

Treatment

Surgical fusion of the affected spinal vertebrae is indicated to help alleviate pressure on the spinal cord. The horse is placed under general anesthesia on his back. The neck is extended, and special stainless steel ‘baskets’ are screwed into place in the area of the vertebral disc. The baskets are filled with the bone fragments that are removed during the drilling process. With time, the bone fuses through the basket, and the vertebrae are permanently fixed in place.

Prevention

–

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Related articles

Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in horses is a neurological disorder causing spinal cord degeneration, leading to ataxia and weakness.

Neurological

Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy

Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is a hereditary neurological disorder

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis is a neurological disease caused by protozoan parasites, leading to ataxia, muscle atrophy, and weakness.

Neurological

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is

Equine Dysautonomia is a severe and often fatal gastrointestinal disorder affecting horses, typically associated with grazing on pasture, with symptoms including colic, weight loss, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Neurological

Equine Grass Sickness (Equine Dysautonomia)

Equine Grass Sickness (Equine Dysautonomia) This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Equine grass sickness