Forum Post

Muscle wasting reversable?

Last post 10-22-2007 1:26 PM by sandra_slayton. 9 replies.
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  • 07-10-2007 2:07 PM

    • Bawb2u
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    Muscle wasting reversable?

    About a month and a half ago my dog came up with serious jaw pain and the vet gave a possible preliminary assessment of massitory myocitis. Since the test would potentially take over 2 weeks for results she put him immediately on Prednisone at 2mg/kg/day. The test got backed up and ended up taking 3 weeks to get back as a Negative, so he was on high dose for 3 weeks and essentially his massiter muscles have "crashed" giving him a skeleton head look. He's now just about weaned off of them and I was wondering; A: Is the wasting reversable or do I just have to get used to it, B: Is there anything I can do to help the process, if it is reversable.
    Just on a side note: I'll love him no matter what and he'll always be my boy.
    Thanks.
    Behind every successful man is a proud wife and a surprised mother-in-law. Hubert H. Humphrey
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  • 07-10-2007 2:59 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    forgive me I have no knowledge of the actual problem...but if it's the muscles of the head/jaw then I'd think chewing would be the way to go. Is he able to chew on things? If the dog cannot really get after something (starting perhaps softish and working up)...it'd be hard to build up head/jaw muscles.
    Gina H.
    dog.community Moderator


    "But my dreams...they aren't as empty, as my conscience seems to be."-The Who

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  • 07-10-2007 3:10 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    • brookcove
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    RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    It's definitely not a permanent problem. Once your dog is back to normal, the muscles will also return to normal. Those muscles are less about chewing and are more to hold and turn the head and are involved in turning, moving the ears, and focusing the eyes. So it has more to do with how miserable and immobile your dog has been, than in how much he's been eating.

    I know exactly the look you are talking about - it's quite alarming. Ben does this every time he "crashes" from allergies - it's startling how fast that structure can cave in - sort of the canine version of the hollowed eyes of an acutely ill human.

    Good luck and hope your pupper feels better soon!
    Becca Shouse
    Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians)
    Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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  • 07-10-2007 4:36 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    • Bawb2u
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    RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    Thank you both for the prompt replies, I feel better already! He'd been pretty lethargic for the first 2 weeks due to the meds (Tramadol and Prednisone) but since I was able to take him off the Tramadol, he's been getting to be more like himself (an intact and energetic 4 year old male German WireHair Pointer) who, while we don't hunt, gets lots of long walks through field and wood with tons of good smells and visual stimulation.
     
    "I know exactly the look you are talking about - it's quite alarming. Ben does this every time he "crashes" from allergies - it's startling how fast that structure can cave in - sort of the canine version of the hollowed eyes of an acutely ill human. "
    I couldn't have described it better myself! Just so sad to see and it happened SO FAST! From a thick ol' blockhead to a skeleton in a month, I feel so bad for the poor kid but I'm glad to hear he'll be back to himself eventually.
    I thank you and Cosmo thanks you.
    Behind every successful man is a proud wife and a surprised mother-in-law. Hubert H. Humphrey
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  • 07-10-2007 8:37 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    • brookcove
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    RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    Aha, yes, Tramadol. That would do it. Basically it will happen anytime your dog is unresponsive or lethargic for an extended time - it can even happen over a few days. It's really a case of "use it or lose it" on those cranial muscles. The difference on an intact male can be startling because But, they are not gone - just not as pumped as they usually are - a lively dog will get them ripped again in no time flat. [:D]

    I'm glad your dog is feeling better!
    Becca Shouse
    Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians)
    Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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  • 07-10-2007 10:36 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    Masticatory myositis is an auto-immune problem where the immune system attacks the type 2M fibers found only in the masticatory muscles. When caught early it may be reversible, and return to function is usually good, but once fibrosis occurs, there is no going back. Its very possible your dog will never get his muscle back. You'll have to just wait and see. One thing for sure, resist the urge to stop the treatment too soon. Work closely with your vet to prevent recurrence...


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  • 10-21-2007 8:59 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    • Bobbin
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    Re: Muscle wasting reversable?

    I was just wondering how your dog was doing.  I've had quite a bit of experience with this disease, as our dog has had this condition for over 3 years. I can tell you, that it is difficult, but possible, to deal with. Our 100 lb. yellow lab/greyhound mix can only open his mouth about 1 inch.  Even under anesthesia, his mouth cannot be opened any further, although it was still possible to intubate him. Once the muscles in the head & jaw deteriorate, they cannot come back. It's not just a matter of strengthening muscles already there, which is important, but once the muscle tissue is gone, it can't be created.  Many specialists, many thousands of $ later, and the treatment consists of prednisone, that we adjust as low as possible according to his condition (which does change a little bit, both for the better and the worse, but never very much to result in much greater ability beyond an inch or so), and feeding food that he can tolerate (mostly wet food) and treats that are intended for very small dogs. 

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  • 10-21-2007 11:22 PM In reply to Bawb2u

    Re: RE: Muscle wasting reversable?

    When a dog is on pred for any extended period of time, it can mess with the viscocity of the cartilage in the spine and joints and you can suddenly get arthritis where there has never been any before.

    Just as a precaution I would be giving this dog Knox Nutra Joint to try and rebuild what's been damaged.

    Also -- I would be **adding** a holistic vet.  Acupuncture is awesome to help rebuild and 'heal' from anything.  http://www.tcvm.com -- that is the Chi Institute website and they have a"locator" on the left.  I have seen such awesome results with acupuncture - particularly to recover from a difficult illness/situation.


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  • 10-22-2007 8:23 AM In reply to Bawb2u

    Re: Myositis

    My GSD pup (7 months) had his first attack a few days ago leading to a dianosis of Masicatory Myositis. My questions to those who have been coping with this disease is: has anyone noticed if there are any triggers leading to an attack? Any difference in behavior prior to an onset or any other signs. Also, what do you do when the dog experiences another attack? Any dietary improvements or supplementation that you have had success with? Maybe there is a list somewhere on this topic where people are already exchanging ways to cope? Anyone know of one?

    Thank you!

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  • 10-22-2007 1:26 PM In reply to ELHarding

    Re: Myositis

    I  have never head of this disease, but i know that look.  My 4 year old golden retriever, Hunter, looked like that before he died.  he had spent 8 days in icu diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and his liver had a lot of drug induced dead spots--all this was brought on by a 6 month heart worm preventative injection which the FDA pulled from the market 10 months after his death.

     It seemed to happen over night while he was in icu on all that pred and other durgs.  I said it looked like he had gotten a totally pointed head and his 'temples' had totally sunken in.  He hardly looked like the same as 8 days before.  I hope all works for the dogs above th are suffereing from this disease.

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