CAT: Wobbler surgery: what is the evidence?

In a recent multicentre study 66% (173/266) horses diagnosed with cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) were euthanised – 96% of those due to perceived poor prognosis [1]. Reported prevalence of CVM in Thoroughbred horses is 1.3–2% [2,3]. Thoroughbreds with radiographically evident CVM who go on to race following conservative treatment have significantly less neurological grades in the thoracic and pelvic limbs, are less than one year of age and have dynamic radiographic changes – epiphyseal flaring and caudal extension of the dorsal laminae - both of which can remodel when the growth rate of the horse is managed [4]. A total of 30% had at least one racing start ...