Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle stiffness and hopping in a young cocker spaniel
By Hill, S L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1995·San Diego Veterinary Referral Services, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Myotonia in a cocker spaniel.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 16-week-old male cocker spaniel was brought in because he was "bunny hopping" with his back legs and showed stiffness and uncoordinated movements in all four legs. After a thorough examination and tests on his muscles, the vet diagnosed him with congenital myotonia, a condition where the muscles have trouble relaxing after being used. This is the first known case of this condition in a cocker spaniel. While the exact cause of congenital myotonia is still debated, understanding it can help in managing the dog's symptoms.
People also search for: cocker spaniel bunny hopping · dog muscle stiffness treatment · puppy myotonia symptoms
Abstract
A 16-week-old, male cocker spaniel suffering from pelvic-limb "bunny hopping" as well as rigidity, spasticity, and ataxia in all limbs was evaluated. The clinical features, electrophysiological abnormalities, and muscle histopathological and histochemical evaluations led to a diagnosis of congenital myotonia. Myotonia is a disorder of skeletal muscle characterized by delayed relaxation of the muscle fiber in response to voluntary, mechanical, or electrical stimulation. The pathophysiology of congenital myotonia remains controversial; currently proposed pathomechanisms are discussed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of congenital myotonia reported in a cocker spaniel.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8581546/