Metabolic Myopathy
Non-inflammatory metabolic myopathy is a very rare muscle disease associated with metabolic disorders for example, various enzyme defects or storage of abnormal metabolic by-products and others.
Little is actually known about how the disorder affects dogs exactly, however the English Springer spaniels, American cocker spaniels, German shepherds, Akitas, curly-coated retrievers, clumber spaniels, Sussex spaniels, old English sheepdogs, Lapland dogs are all predisposed to this disease.
Typically, a dog will be born with non-inflammatory metabolic myopathy or acquire it later in life due to problems in metabolism. However, underlying factors may include:
Viral infections
Drug toxicity
Environment
This condition of muscle fibres directly results because of the interference of chemical reactions involved in using energy from the food that your dog consumes. This is because the dog’s energy levels are low, and then the muscles become weak. In addition, unused fuel molecules are then building up inside the muscles, causing damage. Any sign of general weakness, or fatigue with exercise should be discussed with your veterinarian. A metabolic muscle disease interferes directly with the reaction of the dog’s body metabolism resulting in chemical changes at a cellular level. This condition affects all of the dog’s voluntary muscles. Although this classified as non-inflammatory, a metabolic muscle disease is also called a metabolic myopathy.
Symptoms
Muscle disease can have a big impact on your dog’s day to day life. The effects will vary, depending on the type of disease; symptoms you could see because of this condition:
Different types of metabolic myopathies can affect your pet’s mobility and desire to participate in his usual activities.
Diagnosis
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, along with the onset and nature of the symptoms you have seen. Your vet will then carry out a complete physical examination as well as a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and complete blood count. The results of which; may show abnormalities related to metabolic problems involved. For example, the biochemistry profile should highlight abnormal levels of serum creatine; which is an enzyme found in muscle, brain, and other tissues, and abnormally low levels of glucose (hypoglycemia).
Your veterinarian may also choose more enzyme assays and other specific testing to determine the dog's levels of amino acids, organic acids, and creatine. DNA-based tests, meanwhile, are then used to identify specific carriers.
Often, a muscle tissue sample will be sent to a veterinary pathologist for further evaluation. This may reveal abnormal accumulation of fats or glycogen within muscle cells.
Treatment
Treatment varies with the type of metabolic defect and extent of your dog's symptoms. However, to date, most of these conditions offer supportive care only, in the form of rest, nutrition and supplementation. At best, for fibrotic myopathy, surgery can be an option, keeping in mind that recurrence is very possible. Exertional myopathy is treated with a fluid injection, body cooling, muscle relaxants, and rest, but muscle loss can occur with episodes and recovery can be slow. If your dog suffers from seizures, decreased body glucose, or brain issues, it will need to be hospitalized and placed in intensive care.
Living and Management
Due to the nature of this condition, the reality of the lifelong exercise restrictions should be faced head on. However, depending on the type of metabolic defect, diet restrictions may be put in place, especially if the defect has led to hypoglycemia. Discuss with your veterinarian about a feeding plan.
Overall prognosis depends on the type and extent of the metabolic defect, but a veterinarian will always advise against breeding the dog due to high probability of passing along the defect.
You must be aware that advanced stages of the disease will result in your dog who has limited mobility for life. Because some of the conditions under the umbrella of metabolic muscle disease can result in serious muscle damage with concurrent episodes, it is recommended that you do not encourage over exertion in the form of extreme running or competition. Long walks are still a possibility that you can enjoy with your canine companion, but take care to keep him well hydrated and do not expose him to high temperatures.
Offer him plenty of rests in the shade as you enjoy the outdoors. Metabolic muscle disease will progress; only in the case of an illness like Type II muscle fibre deficiency does it have a chance of stabilising. Keep in communication with your veterinarian, and along with her help, you will be able to offer a good quality of life for your pet.
Non-inflammatory metabolic myopathy is a very rare muscle disease associated with metabolic disorders for example, various enzyme defects or storage of abnormal metabolic by-products and others.
Little is actually known about how the disorder affects dogs exactly, however the English Springer spaniels, American cocker spaniels, German shepherds, Akitas, curly-coated retrievers, clumber spaniels, Sussex spaniels, old English sheepdogs, Lapland dogs are all predisposed to this disease.
Typically, a dog will be born with non-inflammatory metabolic myopathy or acquire it later in life due to problems in metabolism. However, underlying factors may include:
Viral infections
Drug toxicity
Environment
This condition of muscle fibres directly results because of the interference of chemical reactions involved in using energy from the food that your dog consumes. This is because the dog’s energy levels are low, and then the muscles become weak. In addition, unused fuel molecules are then building up inside the muscles, causing damage. Any sign of general weakness, or fatigue with exercise should be discussed with your veterinarian. A metabolic muscle disease interferes directly with the reaction of the dog’s body metabolism resulting in chemical changes at a cellular level. This condition affects all of the dog’s voluntary muscles. Although this classified as non-inflammatory, a metabolic muscle disease is also called a metabolic myopathy.
Symptoms
Muscle disease can have a big impact on your dog’s day to day life. The effects will vary, depending on the type of disease; symptoms you could see because of this condition:
- General weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Muscle pain
- Limited joint movement
- Regurgitation
- Limited esophageal movement (megaesophagus)
- Spasms of jaw muscles (trismus)
- Ventroflexion of head and neck Local or general muscle atrophy (decrease in muscle mass)
- Hypertrophy (increase in muscle mass due to increase in cell size)
- Stunted growth
- Lameness Stiff and stilted gait
- Body and limb tremors
- Swelling Dark urine
Different types of metabolic myopathies can affect your pet’s mobility and desire to participate in his usual activities.
Diagnosis
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, along with the onset and nature of the symptoms you have seen. Your vet will then carry out a complete physical examination as well as a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and complete blood count. The results of which; may show abnormalities related to metabolic problems involved. For example, the biochemistry profile should highlight abnormal levels of serum creatine; which is an enzyme found in muscle, brain, and other tissues, and abnormally low levels of glucose (hypoglycemia).
Your veterinarian may also choose more enzyme assays and other specific testing to determine the dog's levels of amino acids, organic acids, and creatine. DNA-based tests, meanwhile, are then used to identify specific carriers.
Often, a muscle tissue sample will be sent to a veterinary pathologist for further evaluation. This may reveal abnormal accumulation of fats or glycogen within muscle cells.
Treatment
Treatment varies with the type of metabolic defect and extent of your dog's symptoms. However, to date, most of these conditions offer supportive care only, in the form of rest, nutrition and supplementation. At best, for fibrotic myopathy, surgery can be an option, keeping in mind that recurrence is very possible. Exertional myopathy is treated with a fluid injection, body cooling, muscle relaxants, and rest, but muscle loss can occur with episodes and recovery can be slow. If your dog suffers from seizures, decreased body glucose, or brain issues, it will need to be hospitalized and placed in intensive care.
Living and Management
Due to the nature of this condition, the reality of the lifelong exercise restrictions should be faced head on. However, depending on the type of metabolic defect, diet restrictions may be put in place, especially if the defect has led to hypoglycemia. Discuss with your veterinarian about a feeding plan.
Overall prognosis depends on the type and extent of the metabolic defect, but a veterinarian will always advise against breeding the dog due to high probability of passing along the defect.
You must be aware that advanced stages of the disease will result in your dog who has limited mobility for life. Because some of the conditions under the umbrella of metabolic muscle disease can result in serious muscle damage with concurrent episodes, it is recommended that you do not encourage over exertion in the form of extreme running or competition. Long walks are still a possibility that you can enjoy with your canine companion, but take care to keep him well hydrated and do not expose him to high temperatures.
Offer him plenty of rests in the shade as you enjoy the outdoors. Metabolic muscle disease will progress; only in the case of an illness like Type II muscle fibre deficiency does it have a chance of stabilising. Keep in communication with your veterinarian, and along with her help, you will be able to offer a good quality of life for your pet.