Disorder - Muscular dystrophy (MD)

Organ Systems Involved
Musculoskeletal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Muscular dystrophy, Duchenne and Becker types; Myotonia; Myopathy; Myasthenia gravis

Alternative Names
Hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy (HFMD)

Presenting Signs

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a group of inherited muscular disorders that cause degeneration and are mostly non-inflammatory. They are characterised by progressive muscle weakness, wasting and possible contracture. In MDs, muscle proteins (e.g. dystrophin, alpha2 laminin) are absent; this causes abnormal muscle function. Affected cats show generalised muscle enlargement (hypertrophy), starting with limb muscles by ten weeks of age followed by muscles of the neck. Difficulty swallowing, regurgitation and difficulty breathing may occur as a result of enlargement of the muscles of the tongue, throat and oesophagus, and the diaphragm (a muscular layer dividing the thorax and abdomen). Hard chalky nodules are often found on the edge of enlarged tongues. Cats with tongue hypertrophy often present with a protruding tongue.

Cats at Risk

Feline x-linked muscular dystrophy: male cats; Alpha2 laminin deficiency: female cats

Treatment

No treatment is curative. Supportive therapy is offered.

PubMed References
Muscular dystrophy (MD)

Contributor
Christina Zhu