Vets Thinking Masticatory Myositis

[Lukka'sma]

Still no improvement in Lukka's condition, we have been to the vet four times in the past week and a half, if she still hasn't gotten better by her next appointment on Monday she will be biopsied for Masticatory Myositis. Stressed

[phoozles]

Sorry to hear that - totally get how stressed out you must be! :sad:

We're here for you - if you need to vent, go for it

Good vibes being sent out for Lukka!

[chico2]

Oh no LM,I have no idea what that is,but it does not sound good:sad:
Our beautiful Lukka just cannot be sickwhatever it is,it can be cured

[Tommysmom]

Poor Lukka, and poor you:sad:. We're thinking of both of you, and hope that Lukka gets healthy again really soon.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Lukka'sma

she will be biopsied for Masticatory Myositis. Stressed

What is Masticatory Myositis ? Is it as bad as it sounds ? :sad:

[luckypenny]

I'm so sorry Lukka's condition is not improving, Lukka'sma :sad: .

I just did a bit of reading up on it. Will the vet do the biopsy on Monday? Can he not do the 2M antibody test specifically for Masticatory Myositis before then?

that Lukka gets better really soon.

[H.P.]

I hope that Lukka is feeling better soon! I looked up Masticatory Myositis on my vet's website, (http://www.pinecrestvet.com/299221.html) to summarize it-I hope correctly- it is when the immune system attacks the 2M muscle fibers that are only found in the jaw muscles

[breeze]

is an inflammatory disease in dogs affecting the muscles of mastification (chewing). It is also known as atrophic myositis or eosinophilic myositis. MMM is the most common inflammatory myopathy in dogs.[1] The disease mainly affects large breed dogs.

this is what I foundis this right?? lukka'sma??

[luckypenny]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

What is Masticatory Myositis ? Is it as bad as it sounds ? :sad:

Simply put, it's when the immune system attacks the chewing muscles. Treatment usually consists of high doses of catabolic steroids such as Prednisone until the jaw can easily open, and then dosage is reduced, but continued.

[happycats]

Awww poor Lukka, I hope everything is okay, and she gets healthy

[hazelrunpack]

Is this what the vet thinks might be causing the excessive salivation, Lukka'sma? What a worry our babies are to us, eh? *sigh*

and 32 crossed ss that Lukka tests out okay!

Will they do the biopsy right away on Monday if she's not better?

[rainbow]

I have never heard of masticatory myositis before. Sending lots of good wishes your way for both you and Lukka.

[Lukka'sma]

Thanks everyone for your replies, you have all touched on the meaning of this disorder and treatment.
I do kind of hope that her test comes out positive so we can begin treatment and get this dog some relief, if it comes out negative we are back to square one wondering what the he!! is going on with her and more test and more $$$$$.
She can open her mouth enough to eat and lick and of course BARK, but not able to yawn or put her mouth over a toy, and it came on so suddenly. One day she was fine could yawn and open wide the next day she was drooling and having obvious trouble with the jaw.
I will let you know what happens when we have more to go on.

[Frenchy]

Good luck to Lukka

[TeriM]

Poor Lukka :sad:. I hope you are able to get this worked out for her soon, I know you must be so worried .

[cpietra16]

I just came across your thread...poor Lukka. I hope you get answers soon so that you can help the poor baby...

[hazelrunpack]

Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's progressed that quickly! If it is Masticatory Myositis, how long before you can reasonable expect to see improvement from the meds?

Lukka is in our thoughts and prayers.

[SARAH]

Poor, poor Lukka

We just don't realize how lucky we are to have healthy animals until one day one isn't. If only they could talk, or there really was a Dr. Doolittle so they could explain what's wrong and not have us simply sitting there guessing.

to you and Lukka from all of us here

[14+kitties]

I second, third, fourth, etc... the and s for you and Lukka. Such a tough thing to be going through. Let's hope and pray results come back quickly so treatment can begin.

[luckypenny]

Just thinking of Lukka today and wanting to send lots of s her way.

[rainbow]

More prayers and good wishes coming from the Rainbow House too......good luck on Monday.

[chico2]

Luckypenny,I started a thread just for Lukkasmom and Lukka,I am sure she'll need all the best wishes she can get.
I just adore that beautiful lug of a dogand she'll be ok!

[vheringer]

Hello all,

Last month, our English Bulldog Ipanema started showing signs of an auto-immune desease called Masticular Muscle Myositis (MMM). We ran a full blood test and the results were spotless. She has always been a very healthy dog, and despite the swollen jaw muscles and the right side of her face looking like she had a stoke, she was very healthy at the time.

We started treating the symptoms with 20mg of prednisone twice a day for a month (starting on August 9th). Since she was able to open her mouth fully again after four weeks of treatment, we decreased the daily dosage to 15mg (three pills) twice a day.

Yesterday, she started showing the symptoms again, this time a bit stronger than when it started. We took her to the vet and he gave her a shoot of flucort. Almost 24 hours later, she hasn't improved much, but seems to be in less pain.

I've always treated my dogs with traditional medicine and I really don't know where I should go from here. My online research has shown that I am doing everything by the book and there is nothing else I can do to improve her condition with the traditional approach. I was hoping the community could help me answer the following questions:

1) Is there another desease more common in Bulldogs that looks like MMM? Apparently, MMM is very common in larger breeds like Shepards and Labradors, but I haven't found information regarding Bulldogs.

2) Can it be an allergic reaction? Am I missing anything?

3) Should I pursue a biopsy of her masticular tissue? Would the results help me to find a better treatment?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Veronica and Ipanema