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==Introduction==

==Description==

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neuromuscular junction that occurs due to a defect or absence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the post-synaptic membrane (in the congenital form) or due to the presence of antibodies that bind to the receptors and prevent them from functioning normally (in the acquired form).  

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neuromuscular junction that occurs due to a defect or absence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the post-synaptic membrane (in the congenital form) or due to the presence of antibodies that bind to the receptors and prevent them from functioning normally (in the acquired form).  

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Anticholinesterase agents are the most common treament for Myasthenia Gravis. They inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme breaking down acetycholine resulting in increased levels and duration of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.

'''Anticholinesterase agents''' are the most common treament for Myasthenia Gravis. They inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme breaking down acetylcholine resulting in increased levels and duration of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.

Anticholinesterase agents include Pyridostigmine bromide and neostigmine.

Anticholinesterase agents include pyridostigmine bromide and neostigmine.

Animals should be fed from a height and also have their head held in an elevated position for 5 minutes after feeding to avoid aspiration of food and the development of aspiration pneumonia.

Animals should be '''fed from a height''' and also have their head held in an elevated position for 5 minutes after feeding to avoid aspiration of food and the development of aspiration pneumonia.

Any accompanying megaoesophagus must also be treated appropriately (antibiotics and oxygen).

Any accompanying megaoesophagus must also be treated appropriately (antibiotics and oxygen).

Certain drugs including [[Aminoglycosides|aminoglycosides]] and antiarrhythmic drugs can intefere with neuromuscular transmission and should be avoided in myasthenia gravis patients.

Certain drugs including [[Aminoglycosides|aminoglycosides]] and antiarrhythmic drugs can interfere with neuromuscular transmission and should be avoided in myasthenia gravis patients.

The use of immunosuppressants in Myasthenia Gravis is documented but controversial, particularly in patients suffering from aspiration pneumonia.

The use of immunosuppressants in Myasthenia Gravis is documented but controversial, particularly in patients suffering from aspiration pneumonia.

The prognosis also depends on the underlying cause of disease which may be neoplastic.

The prognosis also depends on the underlying cause of disease which may be neoplastic.

Animals with the congenital form have a poor prognosis they do not go into remission and often deteriorate.

Animals with the congenital form have a poor prognosis they do not go into remission and often deteriorate.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:To Do - Caz]]

[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Neurological Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:Dog]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category: To Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Muscles - Developmental Pathology]][[Category:Muscles - Degenerative Pathology]]