Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Differential causes of masticatory muscle disorders in dogs: a review of diagnosis, treatment and long-term management.
- Journal:
- Frontiers in veterinary science
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Fisher, Rachelle et al.
- Affiliation:
- Nebraska Dentistry and Oral Surgery for Animals · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Masticatory muscle disorders in dogs can make it hard for them to open or close their mouths, which can lead to trouble swallowing and even breathing problems. These issues can become serious quickly, so it's important for veterinarians to diagnose and treat them as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening complications. There are many different diseases that can cause these muscle problems, which makes figuring out the exact cause challenging. This review looks at the existing research on these disorders and highlights areas where more studies are needed. Overall, the paper emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing and managing these conditions in dogs.
Abstract
Masticatory muscle disorders in the dog are complex and challenging cases to manage. Patients may present with inability or difficulties in opening or closing the mouth, making dysphagia and respiratory compromise major concerns. Time is of the essence in these circumstances, and prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent potentially life-threatening complications from occurring. Several local and systemic disease processes may cause masticatory muscle dysfunction further complicating the diagnostic process. Current literature on masticatory muscle disorders is widespread with many recommendations in veterinary medicine extrapolated from human medicine. The goal of this paper is to synthesize the current literature and illuminate areas that require additional research.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41743561/