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- Dystrophin deficient myopathy
- Bilateral muscle weakness
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Regurgitation
- Stiff gait
- Loss of muscle mass
- Plantigrade stance (walking with full footpads on the ground)
- Pain
- Limited joint mobility
- Hunched posture
- Accompanying heart muscle disease (signs may be breathing abnormalities)
- Labrador Retriever Myopathy
- Severe muscle weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Stiff or abnormal gait
- Arched back
- Stunted growth
- Abnormal joint posture
- Forward bending of the head and neck
- Jaw spasms in which the mouth closes tightly (trismus)
- Swelling and enlargement of muscle
- Enlarged esophagus (megaesophagus) resulting in vomiting or regurgitation
There are several types of hereditary muscle disease known to affect canines.
- Dystrophin deficient myopathy
- This muscle disease is known as X-linked muscular dystrophy
- It is caused by a gene on the X chromosome
- It results because of a deficiency or alteration of dystrophin (crucial in stabilization of muscle fiber membranes during contraction)
- Typically males are affected
- Breeds predisposed are Terriers, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Belgian Shepherds, Brittany Spaniels, Japanese Spitz, Samoyeds, and Miniature Schnauzers
- Labrador Retriever Myopathy
- This condition is possibly autosomal recessive
- Both black and yellow canines of this breed are affected
- Cold and exercise exacerbate the condition
- Males and females are represented
- The disease has been recently renamed centronuclear myopathy
- Dystrophin deficient myopathy is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene, leading to a degeneration of muscle fibers
- Labrador Retriever myopathy results from a type 2 muscle fiber defect
- Congenital myotonia is due to a defect in the chloride channels
- Sarcoglycan deficiency is caused by a reduced amount of proteins responsible for connecting the muscle fiber
- Non-breeding of dogs known to have hereditary muscle disease is the responsible choice
- What are the symptoms you have seen that are causing concern?
- What are the typical exercise patterns of your dog?
- How long have his muscles seemed weak or stiff?
- Does he have a good appetite?
- Have you seen any usual behaviors like regurgitation or difficulty swallowing?
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