Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the skin and underlying striated muscle. This condition does not result in overt neurologic abnormalities.
Age of Onset: 2-6 months of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs typically worsen over time with bilaterally symmetric lesions that persist throughout life. Most significantly affected areas are the muzzle, periorbita, ears, lips, tail, distal limbs, and bony prominences.
Polymyositis develops after the appearance of the dermatologic lesions (starting with symmetrical masticatory muscle atrophy and progressing to involve generalized areas of skeletal muscle.
Clinical signs typically worsen over time with bilaterally symmetric lesions that persist throughout life. Most significantly affected areas are the muzzle, periorbita, ears, lips, tail, distal limbs, and bony prominences.
Polymyositis develops after the appearance of the dermatologic lesions (starting with symmetrical masticatory muscle atrophy and progressing to involve generalized areas of skeletal muscle.
Clinical Signs:
Movement
Stiff gait
Cranial Nerves
Decreased jaw tone
Trismus
Facial palsy
Dysphagia
Megaesophagus
Spinal Reflexes
Patellar hyperreflexia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Atrophy of muscles of mastication
Other
Multifocal cutaneous lesions (scaling, crusting, alopecia over muzzle, periorbita, distal limbs, tail, perineum and pinnae)
Movement
Stiff gait
Cranial Nerves
Decreased jaw tone
Trismus
Facial palsy
Dysphagia
Megaesophagus
Spinal Reflexes
Patellar hyperreflexia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Atrophy of muscles of mastication
Other
Multifocal cutaneous lesions (scaling, crusting, alopecia over muzzle, periorbita, distal limbs, tail, perineum and pinnae)
Diffuse neuromuscular and integument
Unknown
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