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
Unknown
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X-Linked
Muscular dystrophies are examples of degenerative myopathic conditions of both dogs and cats. These diseases are exemplified by an X-linked disease of golden retrievers and other breeds. In humans, this type of muscular dystrophy is referred to as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. These disease processes result from gene-associated abnormalities of a muscle membrane protein (dystrophin).
Age of Onset: 6-9 weeks of age
Sex Predisposition: Males are more commonly affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs may plateau after 6 months of progressive deterioration.
Clinical signs may plateau after 6 months of progressive deterioration.
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Plantigrade stance
Kyphosis to lordosis
Movement
Weakness
“Stiffness”
“Shuffling” gait
Abduction of elbows
Bunny-hopping gait
Exercise-intolerance
Cranial Nerves
Enlargement of the base of the tongue
Inability to fully open the jaw
Weak barking/dysphonia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy (head and limb muscles)
Generalized muscle hypertrophy
Posture and Appearance
Plantigrade stance
Kyphosis to lordosis
Movement
Weakness
“Stiffness”
“Shuffling” gait
Abduction of elbows
Bunny-hopping gait
Exercise-intolerance
Cranial Nerves
Enlargement of the base of the tongue
Inability to fully open the jaw
Weak barking/dysphonia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy (head and limb muscles)
Generalized muscle hypertrophy
Diffuse neuromuscular disease
X-linked recessive mutation in dystrophin gene
To read more about this disease click below:
To read more about this disease click below:
