Dysphagia as the primary clinical abnormality in two dogs with inflammatory myopathy

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 226; no. 9; pp. 1519 - 1523
• Main Authors: Ryckman, L.R, Krahwinkel, D.J, Sims, M.H, Donnell, R.L, Moore, P.F, Shelton, G.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2005
• Subjects: Animals; blood serum; Boxer; case studies; Chronic Disease; creatine kinase; Creatine Kinase - metabolism; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Deglutition Disorders - veterinary; diagnostic techniques; disease diagnosis; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; dysphagia; Electromyography - veterinary; esophageal diseases; Fatal Outcome; Female; histopathology; Immunohistochemistry - veterinary; inflammation; inflammatory myopathy; Laryngeal Muscles - pathology; Laryngeal Muscles - physiopathology; Masseter Muscle - pathology; Masseter Muscle - physiopathology; muscular diseases; Myositis - complications; Myositis - diagnosis; Myositis - pathology; Myositis - veterinary; Pharyngeal Muscles - pathology; Pharyngeal Muscles - physiopathology; pharynx; symptoms
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.2005.226.1519

Two adult Boxers were evaluated because of chronic dysphagia of several years' duration. Serum creatine kinase activity was high in both dogs, but other hematologic or serum biochemical abnormalities were not detected. Esophagraphy revealed abnormalities of the cricopharyngeal phase of swallowing in both dogs, and electromyography of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles revealed complex repetitive discharges, positive sharp waves, and fibrillation potentials characteristic of primary myopathy or neuropathy. Because of the severity of their condition, both dogs were euthanatized. Histologically, mixed-cell infiltrates were seen in sections of the masseter and thyropharyngeal muscles. Results of indirect immunofluorescence staining for proteins associated with dystrophic myopathy were unremarkable, except for decreased staining for integrin alpha7. A diagnosis of chronic inflammatory myopathy was made. The clinical importance of reduced staining for integrin alpha7 could not be determined but was considered to be a result of the myopathy.