Generalized Inflammatory Muscle Diseases in Dogs

Generalized inflammatory muscle diseases in dogs is a painful and debilitating disorder which affects the many muscles of the dog’s body. This disease can be from the direct cause of white blood cells filtering into the tissues of the muscles or negative changes within the skin. It can also have other more severe causes, such as cancerous tumors. 

There are many tests that will determine the exact cause of the generalized inflammatory muscle disease in your dog, and once this is known, you will have a greater idea of your dog’s prognosis. It is crucial to get your dog to the veterinarian if he exhibits any symptoms related to this disorder.

Generalized inflammatory muscle diseases in dogs are disorders where the skeletal muscles are simultaneously inflamed and painful.

There are many negative changes in the pet’s overall behavior and demeanor. The symptoms are easily distinguished from any normal behaviors. Symptoms include:

• A stiff walk and gait
• Swelling of the muscles
• Weakness of the muscles
• Pain in the muscles
• Unwillingness to walk or run
• Gagging or regurgitation
• Possible lesions on the skin
• Enlarged esophagus

Types

There are two main types of inflammatory muscle diseases in dogs.  Both of them are similar in nature but do have a few key differences. 

• Polymyositis, a generalized muscle disorder that affects the skeletal muscles of the dog with no skin inflammation or lesions
• Dermatomyositis, a generalized muscle disorder that affects the skeletal muscles of the dog with skin lesions that can contain pus and infection.

Inflammatory muscle diseases in dogs, both polymyositis and dermatomyositis, have various causes that have been researched. Research is still being conducted, but clinicians and researchers are aware of the findings and what indeed causes this disorder.  Causes can include:

• Infections in which are immune-mediated 
• Medications or drugs
• Specific types of cancer

Once you see your dog behaving differently due to symptoms, it is important that you notify your veterinarian and make an appointment. Once you tell the veterinarian the symptoms, you will be asked about the history of the dog’s health if your veterinarian does not have this on file. The veterinarian will want to perform a complete physical examination. This examination will involve a blood test, urine test, a biochemistry profile, and necessary tests to evaluate levels of the creatine kinase enzyme, which is found in the muscles, brain, and tissues. A sample of the muscle will also be taken and sent to a pathologist for more in-depth analysis.

If the dog is having regurgitation, an imaging method of the esophagus will be performed to check for abnormalities, such as a tumor or growth.

An abnormally active immune system may be an underlying cause of this disorder. If this is the case, prednisone or other corticosteroids will be prescribed to suppress it. Other methods of treatment are as follows:

Supportive Care

If ulcers or any skin wounds are present as a result of this disorder, treatment will be given to prevent any further worsening of these wounds and to prevent harsh bed sores from forming.

Therapy

Therapy, suggested by the veterinarian in terms of specific types, can help keep the dog mobile and increase the muscle strength of your companion. This is usually started when the inflammation begins to decrease. It can also be successful for any heart muscle failure.

Diet

Soft food or liquids may have to be given if the dog’s esophagus is damaged or inflamed. An elevated food bowl may have to be in place, and in severe cases a feeding tube will have to be used to give the dog the nutrition he needs while he heals.

Surgery

Once the pathology report is complete on the muscle sample taken during the diagnostic phase, surgery may have to occur to remove any tumors. Also, the placement of the feeding tube (if needed) will require minor surgery.

During recovery, therapy will be integrated to increase the strength and elasticity of the muscles so they may improve in their function. If your dog required any surgical intervention, the veterinarian will communicate with you as to what you need to do to help him recover at home. This includes the use of a feeding tube if needed.

The veterinarian will help you develop a schedule for feeding times and how to help your dog resist any bed sores, and will be in contact with you on a regular basis while your dog is in recovery and management.

Dogs with generalized inflammatory muscle diseases have a good chance of surviving and returning to much better health.  Unfortunately, if the underlying cause is cancer, the prognosis is not good at this time.