Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Young Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with jaw muscle inflammation
By Pitcher, G D C & Hahn, C N·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2007·Taverham Veterinary Practice, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Atypical masticatory muscle myositis in three cavalier King Charles spaniel littermates.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three 12-week-old cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies were brought in because they were having trouble opening their mouths. This condition, known as masticatory muscle myositis, is an immune-mediated disease that can affect the muscles used for chewing. The diagnosis was confirmed through specific tests, and the puppies were treated with corticosteroids, which helped them recover completely. If you notice similar symptoms in your young dog, it’s important to consult your veterinarian about this condition.
People also search for: puppy difficulty opening mouth · cavalier King Charles spaniel muscle disease · dog trismus treatment
Abstract
This case report describes a novel manifestation of the immune-mediated disease, masticatory muscle myositis. Clinical signs, including difficulty in opening the mouth (trismus), were seen in three of four 12-week-old cavalier King Charles spaniel littermates. Diagnosis was established by 2M immunohistochemistry, supported by characteristic histopathological changes in affected temporal muscle. Treatment using corticosteroids at immune-modifying doses resulted in resolution of clinical signs in all the affected animals. Masticatory muscle myositis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in groups of young dogs with clinical signs of myositis localised to the head.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17381768/