Muscular Dystrophy
Ullrich-like
Muscular dystrophies are examples of degenerative myopathic conditions of both dogs and cats. Ullrich-like muscular dystrophy is a type of congenital muscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, joint contracture, and hyperlaxity.
Age of Onset: 6-7 months of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs worsen over the course of a few months
Clinical signs worsen over the course of a few months
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Multifocal joint contracture
Thickening of elbow and stifle joints
Distal limb joint hyperlaxity
Low head carriage
Moderate lumbar and thoracic kyphosis
Movement
Severe generalized weakness
Difficulty rising and ambulating
Ambulatory tetraparesis ("stiff, choppy, short-strided gait")
Spinal Reflexes
Reduced withdrawal reflexes
Painful Reactions
Mild spinal hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Posture and Appearance
Multifocal joint contracture
Thickening of elbow and stifle joints
Distal limb joint hyperlaxity
Low head carriage
Moderate lumbar and thoracic kyphosis
Movement
Severe generalized weakness
Difficulty rising and ambulating
Ambulatory tetraparesis ("stiff, choppy, short-strided gait")
Spinal Reflexes
Reduced withdrawal reflexes
Painful Reactions
Mild spinal hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Diffuse neuromuscular
Autosomal recessive mutation in COL6A3 gene
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Laminin α2 Deficiency
Muscular dystrophies are examples of degenerative myopathic conditions of both dogs and cats. Laminin α2 is a structural protein that provides integrity to muscle fibers and the basement membrane. Genetic deficiency of this protein destabilizes the muscle fiber and results in progressive muscle degeneration.
Age of Onset: 6-9 weeks of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs typically worsen over time
Clinical signs typically worsen over time
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Poor growth
Movement
Short-strided gait
Muscle weakness
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Posture and Appearance
Poor growth
Movement
Short-strided gait
Muscle weakness
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Diffuse neuromuscular disease
LAMA2 Nonsense Variant
To read more about this disease click below:
To read more about this disease click below:
