Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Two Boxers with long-term swallowing problems from muscle inflammation
By Ryckman, L Rachael et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2005·Veterinary Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dysphagia as the primary clinical abnormality in two dogs with inflammatory myopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two adult Boxers were brought to the vet because they had trouble swallowing (dysphagia) for several years. Tests showed high levels of a muscle enzyme, and imaging revealed issues with the swallowing muscles. Unfortunately, both dogs were suffering from a severe condition called inflammatory myopathy, which led to their euthanasia. This condition affected their muscle function, and while some tests showed changes, the exact significance of these findings remains unclear.
People also search for: dog trouble swallowing · Boxer dysphagia treatment · inflammatory myopathy in dogs
Abstract
Two adult Boxers were evaluated because of chronic dysphagia of several years' duration. Serum creatine kinase activity was high in both dogs, but other hematologic or serum biochemical abnormalities were not detected. Esophagraphy revealed abnormalities of the cricopharyngeal phase of swallowing in both dogs, and electromyography of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles revealed complex repetitive discharges, positive sharp waves, and fibrillation potentials characteristic of primary myopathy or neuropathy. Because of the severity of their condition, both dogs were euthanatized. Histologically, mixed-cell infiltrates were seen in sections of the masseter and thyropharyngeal muscles. Results of indirect immunofluorescence staining for proteins associated with dystrophic myopathy were unremarkable, except for decreased staining for integrin alpha7. A diagnosis of chronic inflammatory myopathy was made. The clinical importance of reduced staining for integrin alpha7 could not be determined but was considered to be a result of the myopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15882004/