Severe myasthenia in dogs, or severe myasthenia, is a rare neuromuscular disease, in this article of Animal Expert we will explain what your symptoms are and which treatment is most appropriate. The most characteristic symptom of this disease is muscle weakness, which is usually common.It should be known that severe myasthenia can be treated, although the prognosis depends on each case, some dogs recover, while for others this prognosis is reserved.Read to learn more about severe myasthenia in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Severe myasthenia occurs when acetylcholine receptors are in deficit. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter molecule produced in neurons, which are the cells of the nervous system, and that is used to transmit nerve impulses.Its receptors are mainly found in the neuromuscular endings of the central and central nervous system.peripheral nervous system.
- When the dog wants to move a muscle is released Acetylcholine.
- It will transmit the order of movement through its receptors.
- If these are present in insufficient number or do not function properly it affects muscle movement.
- And this is what we call severe myasthenia.
- There are several presentations of this disease.
- Which are:.
The main symptom of myasthenia gravis in dogs will be generalized muscle weakness, which will also worsen with exercise.This is more clearly seen on the hind legs.The sick dog will have difficulty getting up and walking. You’ll notice it reeling.
In severe myasthenia the focal problems will be concentrated in swallowing, because in this case the disease only affects the muscles involved in this function, the dog cannot swallow solids and its esophagus grows and expands, such damage can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when food passes through the respiratory system instead of the digestive and finally reaches the lungs.
If you think your dog has severe myasthenia, you should consult with your veterinarian, this professional can arrive at the diagnosis after performing neurological exams, being able to confirm with several tests.Treatment is based on the administration of drugs that increase the concentration of acetylcholine in receptors, which control the muscle weakness characteristic of this disease.
The drug can be offered to the dog orally or by injection, the dose is programmed according to the activity of the dog, but it must be controlled by strict veterinary supervision, in some dogs the treatment will last a lifetime, while in others I no longer need it.
In focal myasthenia the megaesophageal should also be treated, which requires a monitoring of the diet and the appearance of respiratory complications, which must be observed by the veterinarian at the first signal, the food must be liquid or almost liquid and the feeder must be placed on top.
In some cases, acquired myasthenia is accompanied by canine hypothyroidism, which should also be treated with hormones that replace those that are missing; Finally, in a small percentage of dogs with severe myasthenia, it binds to a thymus tumor, which is a gland.which is part of the dog’s lymphatic system, in this case surgery is recommended to remove it.
Myasthenia gravis, if diagnosed and treated properly, has very good recovery prognosis, although it depends on the response of the dog, in fact, recovery can be complete, it is also possible that the dog swallows normally in case of myasthenia focal.However, for other samples, the megaesophage causes complications that worsen the prognosis.In addition, some dogs that appear to be controlled with medication may have seizures with worsening symptoms.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Neurological Diseases section.