Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle stiffness in small dogs with pituitary hypercortisolism
By Golinelli, Stefania et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical features of muscle stiffness in 37 dogs with concurrent naturally occurring hypercortisolism.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 37 dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (a condition causing excess cortisol) also showed severe muscle stiffness. Most of these dogs weighed less than 20 kg and displayed stiffness in their limbs, which sometimes worsened over time. While treatments like mitotane or trilostane helped manage the hypercortisolism symptoms in many dogs, the muscle stiffness often did not improve and could even get worse. The average survival time after the stiffness was diagnosed was about 965 days, indicating that while the dogs could live for a while, the muscle stiffness remained a significant issue.
People also search for: dog muscle stiffness treatment · hypercortisolism in dogs · pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Severe muscle stiffness (SMS) in dogs with hypercortisolism (HC) is uncommon. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate signalment, presentation, treatments, and long-term outcomes of dogs with concurrent HC and SMS. ANIMALS: Thirty-seven dogs. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with HC and concurrent SMS were recruited from 10 institutions. Clinical information, test results, therapeutic responses, and survival times were reviewed. RESULTS: All 37 dogs with HC and SMS had pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (PDH); 36/37 weighed <20 kg. Signs and test results were typical of PDH aside from SMS, initially diagnosed in all 4 limbs in 9, pelvic limbs of 22, and thoracic limbs of 6 dogs. Hypercortisolism and SMS were diagnosed together in 3 dogs; HC 1-36 months before SMS in 23; SMS 1-12 months before HC in 11. Mitotane or trilostane, given to control HC in 36/37 dogs, improved or resolved HC signs in 28; SMS did not resolve, remaining static or worsening in 31/36 dogs, mildly improving in 5/19 dogs given additional therapies. Progression of SMS included additional limbs in 10 dogs and the masticatory muscles of 2. The median survival time from diagnosis of SMS was 965 days (range, 8-1188). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Concurrent SMS and HC is uncommon, possibly affecting only dogs with PDH. Development of SMS might occur before or after diagnosis of HC. Apart from SMS, the clinical picture and survival time of these dogs seem indistinguishable from those of dogs with HC in general. However, while muscle weakness usually resolves with HC treatment SMS does not.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36798032/