Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Border terrier dog with late-onset Becker-type muscular dystrophy
By Jeandel, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2019·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Late-onset Becker-type muscular dystrophy in a Border terrier dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old Border terrier was brought to the vet after experiencing stiffness and trouble exercising for a year. Tests showed signs of a muscle disorder, and further examinations confirmed a condition similar to Becker muscular dystrophy, which is a type of muscle weakness seen in humans. This case is notable because it's the first time this late-onset muscular dystrophy has been identified in a dog. While there is no cure, understanding this condition can help manage the dog's symptoms and improve its quality of life.
People also search for: Border terrier muscle weakness · dog exercise intolerance · Becker muscular dystrophy in dogs
Abstract
A 9-year-old Border terrier was presented to a referral hospital after a 1-year history of progressive stiffness and exercise intolerance. Neurological examination was consistent with a neuromuscular disorder. Serum creatine kinase activity was mildly elevated. A myopathy was suspected based on MRI findings and electrophysiological examination. Muscle histopathology was consistent with a severe non-inflammatory myopathy of a dystrophic type. Immunofluorescence and western blotting confirmed a dystrophinopathy with an 80-kDa truncated dystrophin fragment similar to Becker muscular dystrophy in people. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a late-onset Becker-type muscular dystrophy in a dog, and the first description of a dystrophinopathy in a Border terrier. Muscular dystrophy in dogs should not be ruled out based on late onset clinical signs and only mildly elevated creatine kinase.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29377139/