Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

Affected dogs are weak and exercise intolerant. They have a poor appetite, can regurgitate, and are underweight. They tend to be smaller than their littermates and have an abnormal gait. Abnormal breathing has been reported in other forms of muscular dystrophy.

Signs of this condition are first noticed around 8 weeks of age.

Genetic testing, clinical signs, and muscle biopsy can be used to diagnose this disorder.

There is currently no treatment for this form of muscular dystrophy.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s muscular dystrophy result so you can plan appropriate monitoring and care.

Signs such as muscle weakness, stiffness, or difficulty walking may appear early in life and can progress over time.

Keep your dog’s environment calm and free from slippery surfaces to help them move safely and prevent falls.

As this condition can worsen gradually, gentle exercise, supportive care, and a predictable routine can help maintain your dog’s comfort and mobility.

This variant was first described in the Italian Greyhound.

Penetrance: This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog requires two copies of the variant to show signs of muscular dystrophy.

Gene

LAMA2 Exon 23

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Muscular

Citations

1. Christen et al 2021

• Italian Greyhound