Myotonia Congenita
This condition is characterized by prolonged muscle contraction and stiffness that usually resolves with normal exercise.
-
Signs and symptoms
Affected dogs present as puppies for prolonged muscle contractions, especially after resting. This leads to visibly appreciable muscle rigidity and a stiff, hopping gait. The tongue muscle is often affected as well, causing affected dogs to have a characteristic protruding tongue. Affected dogs may also have difficulty swallowing or may regurgitate their food after eating due to involuntary muscle contractions.
Signs first appear in puppies.Uncover health risks with Embark
Embark Breed + Health Test
- Regular Price
$199
- Sale Price
- $125
Embark for Breeders dog DNA test kits
- Sale Price
- $119-$139 per test
-
Diagnosis
Genetic testing, clinical signs, EMG, and muscle biopsy can be used to diagnose this disease.
-
Treatment
There is no treatment currently for this condition, but physical therapy can be beneficial.
-
What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- Talk to your vet about your dog’s myotonia congenita result so you can plan appropriate care and monitoring.
- Signs such as muscle stiffness after rest often improve with gentle movement or warm-up activity.
- Avoid sudden or strenuous exercise, and provide good traction at home to help your dog move safely.
- Learning gentle stretching or physical therapy techniques from your vet may also help keep your dog comfortable and flexible.
-
Genetic Information
This mutation was first described in the Miniature Schnauzer.
This disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that affected dogs must have two copies of the mutation to show clinical signs.
Gene names:
CLCN1 (Exon 7) ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
-
Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
Learn about your dog’s unique genetic health
Dog owners
Breed identification, health and trait insights, personalized care recommendations, and the world’s first canine relative finder—all in one leading dog DNA test.
Learn about the report for dog ownersShop the test
Breeding programs
Embark’s test for breeding programs is one comprehensive DNA test designed with your needs in mind.
Learn about the report for breedersShop the test
