Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Physical therapy assessment tools to evaluate disease progression and phenotype variability in Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy.
- Journal:
- Research in veterinary science
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Gaiad, T P et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science · Brazil
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Golden Retrievers with muscular dystrophy, a condition similar to what humans experience with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, show a range of symptoms that can vary widely among individual dogs. Researchers used physical therapy assessment tools to track how the disease progressed in 11 affected dogs at different ages, specifically at 5, 9, 13, and 17 months. They found that physical changes were most noticeable at 13 months, with a decrease in the range of motion in the joints and a significant reduction in limb and chest sizes as the dogs aged. These findings can help in understanding how the disease develops and may assist in finding new treatments for both dogs and humans with similar conditions. Overall, the study highlights the importance of monitoring these physical changes to evaluate the progression of muscular dystrophy in dogs.
Abstract
Dogs suffering from Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) present symptoms that are similar to human patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Phenotypic variability is common in both cases and correlates with disease progression and response to therapy. Physical therapy assessment tools were used to study disease progression and assess phenotypic variability in dogs with GRMD. At 5 (T0), 9 (T1), 13 (T2) and 17 (T3)months of age, the physical features, joint ranges of motion (ROM), limb and thorax circumferences, weight and creatine kinase (CK) levels were assessed in 11 dogs with GRMD. Alterations of physical features were higher at 13 months, and different disease progression rates were observed. Passive ROM decreased until 1 year old, which was followed by a decline of elbow and tarsal ROM. Limb and thorax circumferences, which were corrected for body weight, decreased significantly between T0 and T3. These measurements can be used to evaluate disease progression in dogs with GRMD and to help discover new therapies for DMD patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21315399/