One of the aspects to evaluate regarding the he alth and well-being of an animal is its way of walking. The way in which an animal moves is a very important clue about the state of its physical condition. Frequently, canine guardians tend to arrive at the veterinary consultation with a concern regarding the way their dog walks, and that is where we must be consistent and pay close attention, since musculoskeletal pathologies generally present with pain, a fact that reduces your best friend's quality of life.
Muscle tissue has various functions. It is not only responsible for movement, but also for the functioning of many organs. It is made up of specialized cells called myocytes, which are capable of contracting, thus allowing the tissue to perform its function correctly. Muscle tissue is classified into three types: striated skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Each one fulfills a different function and all three are essential for the life of many animal species. The alteration or inflammation of the myocyte is called myositis and is a problem that affects many species, including the dog. In this article on our site we will talk about myositis in dogs, its symptoms and possible treatments, to give important information to canine guardians on how to react to the possibility of that your pet is going through this process.
What is myositis in dogs?
Myositis is nothing more than the inflammation of one or more musclesIt has different causes in dogs and is usually classified according to the affected muscle. It is one of the pathologies that most affect the patient's well-being, since it not only limits them when it comes to making any movement, but it is a disease that usually causes a lot of pain
It has been described that it mainly affects large and giant breed dogs and that age can also be a triggering factor (affecting more to older dogs), however, any breed can be affected and young dogs are not entirely safe. It is a disease that ends up presenting itself for various reasons and that has different ways of manifesting itself, therefore, the attention that the tutor must give to his best friend must always be constant, since an early detection will help the veterinarian to restore the quality of patient as quickly as possible.
Types of myositis in dogs
Pathologies that affect muscle tissue are called myopathies and have a classification that helps to differentiate them. Within this classification, myositis should also be broken down into different types according to their signs and according to their causes.
Immune-mediated myositis in dogs
These myositis arise due to an immune response against muscle tissue. The infiltration of inflammatory cells in the muscle leads to its degeneration, causing weakness and a lot of pain. Immune-mediated myositis that affect canines are:
- Myositis of the masticatory muscles: this is an autoimmune pathology that produces degeneration and atrophy of the masticatory muscles, which is why it is also It is known by the name of masticatory myositis in dogs or mandibular myositis. Histologically, inflammatory cells and eosinophils can be seen, which is why it is also called eosinophilic myositis. It can occur acute (pain symptoms predominate and in some cases fever) and chronic(signs of muscle atrophy predominate). It is characterized by the loss of muscle mass at the level of the face, which is what primarily alarms the owner.
- Polymyositis: Unlike eosinophilic myositis, canine polymyositis is a generalized condition of muscle tissue. Generally, it affects the muscles of the extremities, although it can cause problems in any part of the body where there is striated skeletal muscle. Some authors have associated it with other immune-mediated diseases, such as lupus, and it has been described that the breeds that are most affected by this pathology are the large ones. This pathology in some cases can cause skin problems such as bleeding crusted lesions on the face or ears, being diagnosed in this case as dermatomyositis
Inflammatory myopathies in dogs
Sometimes the inflammation of muscle tissue does not respond to immune-mediated diseases. This type of myositis falls under the classification of inflammatory myopathies, which in some cases may be of infectious origin.
Causes of myositis in dogs
Some of the causes that can lead to myositis in dogs are:
- Traumatisms: As a result of a trauma, bruise or muscle rupture, the animal may have inflammation at the myocyte level. This condition is temporary, since it only responds to an event external to the organism.
- Hypothermia: in some cases, if the dog for some reason has spent a long time in a place where the temperature is extremely low, there is a possibility that muscle tissue may be affected. This condition is also temporary most of the time and resolves quickly with good management.
- Age: It has been described that over the years some dogs tend to develop myositis, a product of the aging of their cells. It is not scientifically proven, but it must be taken into account, since many elderly dogs suffer from this pathology.
- Parasitosis: some parasites make part of their life in the muscle tissue, deteriorating and inflaming it, making it difficult for the dog to move. Toxoplasma is a clear example of myositis caused by parasites.
Symptoms of myositis in dogs
The signs and symptoms that a dog with myositis presents will vary depending on the cause of the disease, but they are quite similar. For obvious reasons, when myositis is generalized in striated skeletal muscle we will see certain signs and when it is localized in masticatory muscles we will see others.
The first sign of polymyositis, whether immune-mediated or not, is difficulty walking, however, not all muscles are they are affected in the same way and we can see patients who walk relatively normally, but have difficulties at specific times, such as when sitting down, lying down, supporting a limb, etc. Pain and phlogosis are characteristic of this pathology and are one of the first things the veterinarian must deal with.
In the case of eosinophilic myositis, the signs are confined to the masticatory muscles. The lack of appetite is present and the animal's depression is not long in coming. In some cases, muscle inflammation is such that it can produce exophthalmo, which is when the eyeball is displaced forward, and considerably affect swallowing. We must remember that it can present with a fever and a lot of pain when chewing.
Treatment for myositis in dogs
Treatment is based on symptoms. A good choice should be made of analgesics that help the patient for a long time without causing drug damage. The corticoids are also indicated, especially when it comes to immune-mediated myositis. In case the myositis is infectious, antibiotics should be administered, however, it is at the discretion of the treating physician.
When the pathology shows signs of chronicity, it tells us that it has been rooted in the body for a considerable time and it is much more difficult to restore normalcy in it. In some cases, the patient should be referred to a specialist who can return the patient's quality of life much faster.
It is essential to emphasize that we should never self-medicate dogs, since without knowing the cause that is causing myositis we could considerably worsen the clinical picture.
