What Is Canine Dermatomyositis
📝 Summary
Few know canine dermatomyositis—it is less common than other dog diseases, so even owners do not understand it. But it is serious, affecting skin and muscles, with easily missed early signs. Here is a detailed look.
1 Understanding Canine Dermatomyositis
1. Symptoms of canine dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis typically shows skin or muscle problems; crusting and inflamed lesions on the face or ears are the most common signs. Skin damage can cause pain and bleeding, and severity varies by individual.
However, symptoms are easily overlooked. Owners may only notice facial sores; some dogs show muscle loss, weakness, and difficulty swallowing. Severe cases cause facial paralysis, stiffness, and walking difficulty.
It usually appears in puppies around 6 months old and rarely in adults, so it is mainly a puppy disease.
2. Clinical signs of canine dermatomyositis
1. Hard skin, ulcers, and other lesions;
2. Hair loss from lesions;
3. Muscle atrophy;
4. Stiff gait or a ‘goose-step’ walk.
3. Causes of canine dermatomyositis
The exact cause is unconfirmed, but it is a hereditary disease with clear familial tendency—if the mother dog has it, offspring likely inherit it.
4. Treatment of canine dermatomyositis
This hereditary disease has no cure yet; keep the dog as comfortable as possible. Treatment is costly. Affected dogs should avoid UV exposure and protect the skin from injury.
Note: for responsible breeding, dogs with dermatomyositis should not reproduce, or they add to their own burden and their offspring inherit the misfortune.
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