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| ==Clinical Signs== | | ==Clinical Signs== |
− | Lesions have usually developped by '''6 months of age''', but they can also occur in adults. | + | Lesions have usually developed by '''6 months of age''', but they can also occur in adults. |
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| The rate of development of lesions is very variable, and the disease may '''wax and wane''' and may undergo spontaneous regression. | | The rate of development of lesions is very variable, and the disease may '''wax and wane''' and may undergo spontaneous regression. |
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| '''Myositis''' is a feature of the disease and its severity correlates with the severity of the skin lesions. There is commonly temporal and masseter muscle atrophy. | | '''Myositis''' is a feature of the disease and its severity correlates with the severity of the skin lesions. There is commonly temporal and masseter muscle atrophy. |
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− | Severely affected dogs may present with '''dysphagia''', may have growth retardation, '''megaoesophagus''', lameness and widespread muscle atrophy. | + | Severely affected dogs may present with '''dysphagia''', may have growth retardation, '''[[megaoesophagus]]''', lameness and widespread muscle atrophy. |
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| The condition is not usually pruritic nor painful. | | The condition is not usually pruritic nor painful. |
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| A clinical diagnosis can be made based upon the presentation, history and clinical signs. | | A clinical diagnosis can be made based upon the presentation, history and clinical signs. |
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− | Other common causes of follicular dermatitis in young dogs, such as dermatophytosis, demodecosis and pyoderma, should be '''ruled out''' with skin scrapes, cytology and culture. | + | Other common causes of follicular dermatitis in young dogs, such as [[dermatophytosis]], [[demodecosis]] and pyoderma, should be '''ruled out''' with skin scrapes, cytology and culture. |
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| '''Skin biopsies''' can provide supportive evidence, and there is hydropic degeneration of basal cells, intrabasalar or subepidermal clefting, pigmentary incontinence, follicular atrophy and possibly vasculitis. | | '''Skin biopsies''' can provide supportive evidence, and there is hydropic degeneration of basal cells, intrabasalar or subepidermal clefting, pigmentary incontinence, follicular atrophy and possibly vasculitis. |
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| '''Muscle biopsies''' reveal inflammatory exudates, muscle fibre necrosis and muscle atrophy. The best place for a biopsy is the anterior and most superficial temporalis muscle. | | '''Muscle biopsies''' reveal inflammatory exudates, muscle fibre necrosis and muscle atrophy. The best place for a biopsy is the anterior and most superficial temporalis muscle. |
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− | '''EMG''' can be performed and will reveal abnormalities consisting of positive sharp waves, fibrillation potentials and bizarre high-frequency discharges of affected muscles. | + | '''Electromyography (EMG)''' can be performed and will reveal abnormalities consisting of positive sharp waves, fibrillation potentials and bizarre high-frequency discharges of affected muscles. |
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| ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |
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| Mild lesions may not need treatment and may '''spontaneously resolve'''. | | Mild lesions may not need treatment and may '''spontaneously resolve'''. |
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− | '''Pentoxifylline''' is the treatment of choice and it improves circulation and decreases levels of inflammatory mediators. 2-3 months may be needed before any benefits are seen. | + | '''Pentoxifylline''' is the treatment of choice and it improves circulation and decreases levels of inflammatory mediators. 2-3 months of treatment may be needed before any benefits are seen. |
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| '''Vitamin E''' can lead to an improvement in the skin lesions, but not in muscle. | | '''Vitamin E''' can lead to an improvement in the skin lesions, but not in muscle. |
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| Harvey, R. (2009) '''A colour handbook of skin diseases of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing'' | | Harvey, R. (2009) '''A colour handbook of skin diseases of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing'' |
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− | [[Category:To Do - Helen]]
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− | [[Category:To Do - Review]]
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| + | {{review}} |
| + | [[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Dog]] |
| + | [[Category:Expert Review - Small Animal]] |
| [[Category:Integumentary System - Autoimmune Reactions]] | | [[Category:Integumentary System - Autoimmune Reactions]] |
| [[Category:Muscles - Developmental Pathology]] | | [[Category:Muscles - Developmental Pathology]] |
| [[Category:Immune-Mediated Myositis]] | | [[Category:Immune-Mediated Myositis]] |