Causes Of Muscle Atrophy In Dogs
Muscle atrophy in dogs is quite common and results in the loss of muscle tissue. This muscle wasting usually begins early when it is associated with an injury or disease process.
Initially, it can go unnoticed, especially if the dog has long hair. In this article, we talk about the causes of muscle atrophy in dogs.
If your dog is limping or has limb surgery, the atrophy will be more noticeable and his progress will be faster. In fact, it can get a little worse before it gets better. In this article we tell you the causes of muscle atrophy in dogs.
Why is muscle atrophy in dogs often detected late?
As dogs move using all four limbs, their balance is quite delicate. If they have a little discomfort in one limb, they can transfer their body weight to the other three to relieve pain in the sore limb.
For this reason, muscle atrophy in the early stages often goes unnoticed. However, if we palpate the limbs, we can find a difference in the size of the muscles. This indicates some atrophy of the affected limb.
Mostly, muscle atrophy manifests itself with weight loss and signs of weakness. Muscle loss can be a sign of a wide variety of conditions and diseases, so if you notice muscle loss in your dog, be sure to talk to your vet. It is important to identify the causes of muscle atrophy in dogs.
The canine aging process
During the aging process, it is natural for moderate but progressive muscle atrophy to appear. This process is caused by a lack of growth hormones and a decrease in the body’s metabolism.
As they age, dogs’ nutritional needs change and they cannot process proteins in the same way. Therefore, older dogs will generally need a special diet with easily processed protein sources to help them maintain muscle mass.
The lower activity in the older dog, due to lower energy levels, also leads to the loss of muscle mass. It should be noted that this aging-associated muscle loss is normal: it is mild and appears mainly in the hips, where the muscles are most noticeable.
Muscle atrophy associated with arthritis
Muscle atrophy in dogs also occurs for a number of different reasons. In fact, atrophy is a typical symptom if you have a painful condition.
Although arthritis attacks the joints and not the muscle tissue, it can still cause muscle wasting. It is an inflammatory process that degenerates the joints, often in the hips and knees, and produces quite intense pain.
Physiotherapy and pain control medications can minimize the effects of arthritis and improve the activity of the sick dog. For this reason, going to the vet is essential, so that he can prescribe the appropriate treatment. It will be necessary to identify the causes of muscle atrophy in dogs.
Genetic predisposition towards other associated diseases
You need to be aware of the conditions under which certain breeds are predisposed. For example, Labrador Retrievers are prone to type II muscle fiber deficiency. Generally, they will show muscle loss before one year of age.
German Shepherds, on the other hand, are more likely to develop fibrotic myopathy, which usually manifests more in the dog’s thigh muscles. Other breeds, such as the greyhound, will develop stress myopathy if they are forced to use their muscles too much.
Degenerative myelopathy is another disease that affects the spinal cord and thus the limbs. This condition is common in German Shepherds but can also be found in other breeds.
Muscle atrophy in dogs associated with inflammatory diseases
Muscle atrophy can occur associated with other types of inflammatory diseases, be they infectious or autoimmune. This involvement can involve a muscle or a group of muscles. Usually, these diseases have other symptoms that will help the vet correctly diagnose the disease.
Be aware that myositis – or inflammation of the muscle – can often cause atrophy. Myositis is caused by an abnormal reaction of the dog’s immune system against its own muscle tissue.
For example, myositis of the chewing muscles, also called eosinophilic myositis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, is a serious condition. The dog develops antibodies that recognize and attack the M2 fibers of the chewing muscles, causing them to atrophy.
Muscle Atrophy Symptoms in Dogs
To help your pet in time, it will be good to monitor the following signs and symptoms:
- Lethargy and apathy. The dog refuses to move.
- Flabby appearance. The muscles are mostly flabby. The dog is softer and also leaner.
Sometimes, this type of muscle loss affects only certain parts of the body. For example, if your dog has arthritis or a hind leg injury, you may notice that the hind legs get thinner, while the front legs get bigger to compensate.
If you suspect your dog is losing muscle mass in one leg, always compare it to the other.
