What is Muscular Dystrophy ? All known mutations for muscular dystrophy lie in the DMD gene, which produces the protein dystrophin. Dogs affected with MD have abnormally low levels of functional dystrophin, leading to muscle fiber damage, progressive muscle wasting, and weakness.
About Muscular DystrophyWhen signs & symptoms develop in affected dogs Signs are often first apparent at 1-3 months of age.
How vets diagnose this condition Genetic testing, clinical signs, and muscle biopsy can be used to diagnose this disorder.
How this condition is treatedCurrent treatments for muscular dystrophy include steroid treatment, which can slow the progression of the disease, but there is currently no cure. However, much research has gone into gene therapy: researchers have recently demonstrated that supplementing the defective dystrophin gene of a dog with MD with a new, smaller form of dystrophin (known as microdystrophin) can fully substitute for full-sized dystrophin.
Actions to take if your dog is affected
About Muscular DystrophyWhen signs & symptoms develop in affected dogs Signs are often first apparent at 1-3 months of age.
How vets diagnose this condition Genetic testing, clinical signs, and muscle biopsy can be used to diagnose this disorder.
How this condition is treatedCurrent treatments for muscular dystrophy include steroid treatment, which can slow the progression of the disease, but there is currently no cure. However, much research has gone into gene therapy: researchers have recently demonstrated that supplementing the defective dystrophin gene of a dog with MD with a new, smaller form of dystrophin (known as microdystrophin) can fully substitute for full-sized dystrophin.
Actions to take if your dog is affected
- Keeping your affected dog comfortable and giving them the best quality of life you can are the only actions you can take at home.
Karen Dennehy & Natalija Zeljic
Small World Puppies (Taurunum Angels Kennel)
Small World Puppies (Taurunum Angels Kennel)