Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to assess disease progression in Golden Retrievers with muscular
By Gaiad, T P et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2011·School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Physical therapy assessment tools to evaluate disease progression and phenotype variability in Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Golden Retrievers with muscular dystrophy were monitored from 5 to 17 months old to track how their condition progressed. Owners noticed changes in their dogs' physical features, joint flexibility, and body measurements over time. The study found that as the dogs aged, their ability to move their joints decreased, and their body size measurements also changed significantly. These findings can help veterinarians understand the disease better and potentially lead to new treatments for dogs and humans with similar conditions.
People also search for: Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy symptoms · dog joint flexibility assessment · treatment for 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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21315399/