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MUSCLE CONTRACTURE IN DOGS -
The Infraspinatous muscle
Note for Pet Owners:
This information is provided by
Provet for educational purposes only.
You should seek the advice of
your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise
on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for
your pet.
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Description
Muscle contracture can occur at any site in the body, but there is a recognised
condition involving contracture of the infraspinatous muscle in
dogs. Surgical treatment has been reported to result in dramatic improvement in
95% of cases immediately post-operatively.
Cause
The cause is not known, but it is seen mainly in active working dogs, and often there
was an an acute episode of lameness during vigorous exercise - suggesting possible
trauma or other muscle injury as an initiating factor
Breed Occurrence
The disorder is seen primarily in working breeds of dog.
Signs
Clinical signs inclu de a chronic, gradual onset change in forelimb gait. No
pain is present on examination, but the muscles feel atrophied and wasted.
The spinous process of the scapula is very prominent when compared with the
opposite limb. The effect of the contracture is to rotate the elbow inwards, but
the shoulder and lower limb are rotated outwards. When the dog moves the leg
swings out from the body.
Complications
Secondary biomechanical changes on other joints
Diagnosis
Based upon physical examination.
Treatment Surgical
section of the infraspinatous tendon is reported to provide a dramatic
improvement in 95% of cases immediately post-op.
Prognosis
Good
Long term problems
Updated October 2013
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