Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle weakness and swallowing trouble in a young male Labrador
By Bergman, Robert L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2002·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a Labrador retriever.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young male Labrador retriever was brought in because he was showing signs of weakness, difficulty swallowing, and an unusually large tongue. Tests revealed that he had a serious muscle condition called muscular dystrophy, which is linked to a lack of a protein called dystrophin. His blood tests showed very high levels of a muscle enzyme, and a muscle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Understanding this condition is important for pet owners and breeders, as it can affect the dog's health and future breeding decisions.
People also search for: Labrador retriever weakness · dog swallowing problems · muscular dystrophy in dogs · dystrophin deficiency in dogs
Abstract
Sex-linked muscular dystrophy associated with dystrophin deficiency has been reported in several breeds of dogs and is best characterized in the golden retriever. In this case report, a young, male Labrador retriever with dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy is presented. Clinical signs included generalized weakness, lingual hypertrophy, and dysphagia. Electromyographic abnormalities including complex repetitive discharges were present. Serum creatine kinase concentration was dramatically elevated. Histopathological changes within a muscle biopsy specimen confirmed a dystrophic myopathy, and dystrophin deficiency was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. While X-linked muscular dystrophy has not previously been reported in the Labrador retriever, a hereditary myopathy with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has been characterized. A correct diagnosis and classification of these two disorders are critical for breeders and owners since both the mode of inheritance and the prognosis differ.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12022412/