Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Juvenile Rottweiler puppies with muscle weakness and posture problems
By Hanson, S M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1998·Southern California Veterinary Surgical Group, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Juvenile-onset distal myopathy in Rottweiler dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two young Rottweiler siblings were brought to the vet because they were less active and had unusual postures, like standing on their heels and having splayed toes. Tests showed that their muscle function was impaired, indicating a muscle disease. A muscle biopsy revealed damage and fatty tissue replacing healthy muscle, particularly in their lower limbs. The pups also had low levels of carnitine, a nutrient important for muscle health. This condition appears to be a new type of muscular dystrophy in dogs, and while there isn't a specific treatment mentioned, understanding the issue can help guide care.
People also search for: Rottweiler puppy muscle disease · decreased activity in dogs · dog muscle biopsy results · puppy dystrophy symptoms
Abstract
Two juvenile Rottweiler siblings were presented with the complaint of decreased activity and various postural abnormalities, including plantigrade and palmigrade stance and splayed forepaw digits. The neurologic examinations were otherwise normal. Electromyography revealed rare fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves. Motor nerve conduction velocities were normal, whereas compound muscle action potentials from the interosseous muscles were decreased. These findings were consistent with a primary myopathy. A 3rd pup from a different litter and a 4th pup from a litter with 3 of 8 affected dogs had similar clinical presentations. Histopathologic changes in fresh-frozen muscle biopsy samples were similar in all pups and consisted of myofiber atrophy with mild myonecrosis, endomysial fibrosis and replacement of muscle with fatty tissue. These changes were more severe in distal muscles than in proximal muscles. Plasma carnitine concentrations (total and free) were decreased in all pups. Muscle carnitine concentrations (total and free) were decreased in 3 of 4 pups and the least affected pup had a borderline low free muscle carnitine concentration. Abnormalities involving major metabolic pathways were not found on quantification of organic and amino acids. Dystrophin immunocytochemistry was normal in 2 dogs tested. Distal myopathies in humans are classified under the dystrophic group of muscle disorders. These 4 cases represent a form of muscular dystrophy apparently not previously reported in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9560767/