Neuromuscular Disease

Neuromuscular diseases in dogs encompass various categories and etiologies, leading to diverse conditions affecting the nervous and muscular systems. Here is a brief summary:

  1. Genetic Disorders:
    • Inherited conditions such as muscular dystrophy or myotonia can result from genetic mutations affecting muscle structure or function.
  2. Autoimmune Disorders:
    • Conditions like myasthenia gravis involve the immune system attacking neuromuscular junctions, leading to muscle weakness.
  3. Inflammatory Conditions:
    • Other autoimmune inflammatory diseases can affect nerves and muscles, causing conditions like polyradiculoneuritis or polymyositis.
  4. Degenerative Diseases:
    • Conditions involve progressive deterioration of the peripheral nerves, leading to weakness.
  5. Toxicity:
    • Ingestion of certain toxins, like certain plants, drugs, or chemicals, can result in neuromuscular dysfunction.
  6. Metabolic Disorders:
    • Conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushings can affect metabolism, leading to muscle weakness and neurological symptoms.
  7. Trauma:
    • Physical injuries or trauma to the nervous or muscular system can result in neuromuscular issues.
  8. Infectious Diseases:
    • Infections such as canine distemper, protozoal infections or tick-borne diseases can affect the nervous system, leading to neuromuscular symptoms.
  9. Neoplastic (Paraneoplastic) Conditions:
    • Tumors affecting the nervous or muscular tissues can cause disruptions and lead to neuromuscular dysfunction. Occasionally cancer elsewhere in the body can lead to neuromuscular weakness.
  10. Nutritional Deficiencies:
    • Inadequate nutrition, especially deficiencies in certain vitamins or minerals, can contribute to neuromuscular problems.

Diagnostics Approach to Neuromuscular disease

Phase I diagnostics:

  • Blood work to include CPK level
  • Tensilon test
  • Chest radiographs
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Frontline application

Phase II diagnostics:

  • Endocrine testing (thyroid, cortisol)
  • +/- Infectious disease titers
  • +/- Antibiotic trial

Phase III diagnostics:

  • Electrodiagnostics
  • +/- Muscle / nerve biopsy