Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Puppy Cavalier King Charles with chronic jaw muscle inflammation
By Di Tosto, Martin et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2022·AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case report: Atypical and chronic masticatory muscle myositis in a 5-month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment and successful outcome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was brought to the vet because he was lethargic and having trouble eating for two weeks. The vet found that he had muscle wasting in his jaw, couldn't close his mouth without help, and had some pain in his jaw. After several tests, including imaging and a muscle biopsy, he was diagnosed with masticatory muscle myositis (MMM), a rare condition in puppies. Treatment with glucocorticoids (a type of steroid) led to a quick improvement in his symptoms, allowing him to eat normally again.
People also search for: puppy jaw problems · Cavalier King Charles Spaniel muscle disease · masticatory muscle myositis treatment
Abstract
Masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) is the second most common inflammatory myopathy diagnosed in dogs, but it is rarely described in puppies. The disease is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against 2M myofibers contained in masticatory muscle, although the cause of this production is still unclear. The aim of the present case report was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment, and follow-up of an atypical case of chronic masticatory muscle myositis in a very young dog. A 5-month old Cavalier king Charles Spaniel (CKCS) was presented to the AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara with a two weeks, progressive history of lethargy and difficulty in food prehension. Neurological examination revealed bilateral masticatory muscle atrophy, mandibular ptosis with the jaw kept open, inability to close the mouth without manual assistance, jaw pain, and bilateral reduction of palpebral reflex and menace reaction; vision was maintained. A myopathy was suspected. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for 2M antibodies, and histopathological examination of masticatory muscle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of MMM. Glucocorticoids treatment was started and clinical signs promptly improved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case describing mandibular ptosis in a dog affected by chronic MMM, successfully managed with medical treatment and the first report describing the CT and MRI findings in a young CKCS affected by MMM.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36187837/