Equine Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy – NAVLE Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM), commonly known as Wobbler Syndrome, is one of the most common noninfectious causes of spinal ataxia in horses. This developmental and degenerative condition results from narrowing of the cervical vertebral canal, leading to compression of the spinal cord and subsequent neurological deficits. CVSM represents a significant category of equine neurological disease frequently tested on the NAVLE, requiring thorough understanding of pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

The condition affects horses of various ages and breeds, with a predisposition for young, rapidly growing male horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Warmbloods. Prevalence studies indicate CVSM affects approximately 1.3% of the equine population, with male horses comprising 70-80% of cases.

Terminology and Synonyms

CVSM is known by several names in veterinary literature: Cervical Vertebral Malformation (CVM), Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy (CVCM), Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy (CSM), Cervical Vertebral Instability, and historically Equine Sensory Ataxia or Equine Incoordination. The term "Wobbler" was introduced in 1938 to describe horses with characteristic unsteady gait.