Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Golden retriever with no muscle dystrophin lived normal life
By Zatz, M et al.·Published in Neuromuscular disorders : NMD·2015·Institute of Biosciences, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A normal life without muscle dystrophin.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 11-year-old golden retriever named Ringo, who had muscular dystrophy, lived a normal life despite lacking a protein called dystrophin that usually helps muscles function. He passed away from cardiac arrest, but his condition was mild compared to other dogs with the same disease. Researchers are now looking into what allowed Ringo and his descendant to maintain muscle function, which could lead to new treatments for similar conditions in both dogs and humans. This case offers hope for those affected by muscular dystrophy.
People also search for: golden retriever muscular dystrophy · dog heart problems · treatment for muscle disease in dogs
Abstract
Here we summarize the clinical history of Ringo, a golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog, who had a mild phenotype despite the absence of muscle dystrophin. Ringo died of cardiac arrest at age 11 and therefore displayed a normal lifespan. One of his descendants, Suflair, born April 2006, also displays a mild course. Dystrophin analysis confirmed total absence of muscle dystrophin in both dogs. Muscle utrophin expression did not differ from severely affected GRMD dogs. Finding what protects these special dogs from the dystrophic degeneration process is now a great challenge that may open new avenues for treatment. But most importantly, the demonstration that it is possible to have a functional muscle, in a medium-large animal even in the absence of dystrophin, brings new hope for Duchenne patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25770920/