Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle weakness and wasting in a 12-month-old Maine coon cat
By Poncelet, L et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2003·Department of Anatomy and Embryology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a Maine coon cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 12-month-old female Maine coon cat was brought to the vet because she was getting weaker and had noticeable muscle loss. The vet found that her reflexes were slow and her muscles were not functioning properly. A muscle biopsy showed signs of muscular dystrophy, a condition where muscles weaken over time. Unfortunately, this cat had a specific genetic issue called laminin alpha2 deficiency, which caused her symptoms. There is no treatment for this condition, and the cat's family history did not suggest it was inherited.
People also search for: Maine coon cat muscle weakness · muscular dystrophy in cats · cat joint problems · cat muscle atrophy treatment
Abstract
A European case of laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a 12-month-old, female Maine coon pedigree cat is reported. The history and eventual clinical presentation of this cat differed from those of two cats reported in the USA. In this case, the myopathy was characterised by progressively worsening weakness, muscle atrophy and joint contracture. Tendon reflexes were diminished, and motor nerve conduction velocities were slowed. Muscle biopsy demonstrated a dystrophic phenotype with endomysial fibrosis. Occasional thinly myelinated nerve fibres were present within a peripheral nerve specimen. Poorly myelinated fibres were also found at the root level on necropsy specimens. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the absence of laminin alpha2. The cat's family history did not indicate genetic transmission of the disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14692554/