Diseases of the Muscles

Diseases of the Muscles

1. MYOSITIS

INFLAMMATION OF MUSCLE fibres is a well-documented syndrome in the dog, leading to degeneration of muscles in prolonged

cases.

ETIOLOGY. The cause may be either systemic or traumatic. The loose description of theumatism' being a cause is not

really applicable to the dog. If the origin is systemic there is usually a bacterial infection present, while trauma is associ-

ated with injury of one kind or another.

CLINICAL SIGNS. There may be swelling of the particular muscle but frequently no special signs are evident and the

owner's attention is drawn to the fact that the animal cries out on being moved or lifted. Various postures are assumed

according to the muscles affected, e.g. arching of the back when the lumbar muscles are involved. A board-like feeling on

the abdomen indicates pain of the muscles of that region.

TREATMENT

1. ACONITUM 6c. Should always be considered in the early stages and will bring about relief from pain, especially if the

origin is bacterial. It will allay any tendency to shock if the condition arises very quickly.

2. RHUS TOX. 6c. This remedy is indicated when the animal gains relief from movement, even although the initial move-

ment is painful. It may influence the muscles of the left side of the body more than the right, and could be indicated when

severe wetting or prolonged damp is associated with the onset of symptoms.

3. BRYONIA 30c. Movement is resented when Bryonia is indicated. The animal will seek to lie on the affected muscles and

pressure on them gives ease. Warmth is usually useful also.

4. CURARE 30c. Indicated when there is a generalised weakness or semi-paralysis of the muscles involved. Muscular re-

flexes are abolished.

5. CAUSTICUM 30e. This remedy is associated with an accompanying contraction of tendons and stiffness of muscles.

Warmth gives relief. More adaptable to the older patient with unsteadiness of gait.

6. ZINC MET. 30c. Associated with trembling of affected muscles which also show weakness. Usually arises from cases of

systemic (bacterial) origin and may be indicated for a more general involvement of the neuro-muscular system.

7. STRYCHNINUM 30c. This remedy could be indicated when severe contractions of muscles take place as part of an overall

systemic involvement. Various postures may be assumed.

8. GELSEMIUM 30c. Weakness and a tendency to paralysis is the keynote of this remedy. There may be a generalised

involvement of all muscles and the trouble is usually systemic in origin. An attempt to exercise the animal can lead to col-

lapse with severe fatigue.

2. MYOSITIS OF THE MASTICATORY MUSCLES

A specific form of myositis affects the German Shepherd breed or animals bred from them and occurs in both dogs and

bitches. It is associated with an increase in certain white cells circulating in the blood and being deposited in the affected

muscles. There is no known cause which can be regarded as exact.

CLINICAL SIGNS. The muscles of the cheek become puffed out, giving the face a pointed look and exerting pressure on

the area around the eyes causing them to appear protruded. Pain is present in the early acute stage and the animal has

difficulty in opening the mouth. Extension of the disease process to the throat results in tonsillitis and lymphadenitis. The

inability to open the mouth results in progressive debility and weakness. Changes in the muscle fibres result eventually in

fibrosis giving the muscles a hard sensation which accompanies the degeneration.

TREATMENT. This can be a difficult condition to treat but the following remedies are worth considering

1. CURARE 30c. This remedy may help the function of the muscles and limit the tendency to paralysis.

2. THUJA 6c. This is a constitutional remedy which has given encouraging results in muscle conditions where hardening of

fibres occurs and is reputed to have helped degenerative muscle conditions in other species.

3. SILICEA 30c. This remedy has a reputation for helping to limit the overproduction of white cells in certain pathological

states and is therefore indicated indirectly in an attempt to limit the process.

4. MERC. 1OD. RUB. 30c. This remedy has a specific action on the left side of the pharynx and may help inflammatory or

other processes affecting this area including any neighbouring lymphadenitis.

5. MERC. IOD. FLAV. 30c. The same indications exist for this remedy but the right side of the pharyngeal area is involved.

6. PHYTOLACCA 30c. This is also a good general throat remedy and may help relieve any complications affecting this area.

3. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

This term covers a condition of degeneration of muscle with attendant atrophy and ultimately replacement of muscle

strands with fibrous tissue. This eventually leads to an apparent increase in the muscle mass. The muscles chiefly in-

volved are those of the hind-leg above the hock and those of the shoulder.

ETIOLOGY. Although a somewhat similar condition occurs in lambs and calves due to a shortage of Vitamin E in the

metabolism of the growing muscle, this sequence of events has not been demonstrated in the dog in the natural state,

although experimentation has produced it artificially. It may be due to an unknown hereditary factor affecting the metab-

olism of the muscles.

CLINICAL SIGNS. Progressive muscular weakness leads eventually to an inability to stand, preceded by varying degrees

of paresis; a shuffling or stumbling gait ensues. Disease of the gastrocnemius muscle above the hock produces a 'dropped

leg' appearance. Obesity is a frequent sign of systemic involvement.

TREATMENT. The addition of Vitamin E to the diet may help, especially if combined with the element Selenium. Remedies

which should be used on a constitutional and symptomatic basis include the following

1. CURARE 30c. General weakness and trembling of the affected muscles may show a response to this remedy.

2. CALC. CARB. 30c. This remedy may help the condition if it develops in young, fat or obese subjects. It will help regulate

the general metabolism.

3. SILICEA 30c. Further degeneration of muscle fibres may be halted if this remedy is used early in the disease process. It

has the power of dissolving scar tissue and removing any excess fibrosis.

4. SELENIUM 30c. Because of its Vitamin E content, this remedy should give good results as an adjunct along with other

indicated remedies.

4. MUSCULAR CRAMP IN THE GREYHOUND

This condition, peculiar to this breed, affects animals when they are running and consists of a muscular spasm involving

the hind-legs. Various theories have been advanced as to the cause, chief among which are fatigue and calcium deficiency.

There is a superficial resemblance to azoturia in the horse but the condition in the dog is unaccompanied by the appear-

ance of muscle pigment in the urine.

CLINICAL SIGNS. The animal quickly loses ground when racing or competing with others in training Severe involvement

leads to a dragging gait in which the dorsal aspect of the toes are unsupported and thus give a knuckling appearance

when making contact with the ground. The lumbar muscles become tense and hard and the animal appears anxious and

distressed.

TREATMENT

1. ACONITUM 6c or 30c. This remedy will quickly allay anxiety and help calm the animal.

2. ARNICA 30c. Should be given as a routine to help remove pain and allay shock.

3. RHUS TOX. 6c. Will help the sprain involved in any tendon involvement.

4. RUTA 6c. A useful remedy if periostitis has been produced by tearing of any ligament or tendon at its insertion.

S. BERBERIS VULG. 30c. This remedy will help relieve any lumbar weakness associated with radiating pains which could be

present.

6. CURARE 30c. Should help relieve the stiffness of hind-leg muscles.