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MUSCLE CONTRACTURE IN DOGS -
The Gracilis 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 gracilis muscle in dogs. Surgical
treatment has been reported to result in dramatic improvement in 100% of cases
immediately post-operatively but there is recurrence in less than 6 months..
Cause
The cause is not known.
Breed Occurrence
The disorder is seen primarily in German Shepherd Dogs and other large breeds.
It occurs in adults (2-11 years of age, mean 4.7 years).
Signs
Clinical signs inclu de a chronic, gradual onset progressive hindleg lameness
resulting in a short stride, outward rotation of the hock and inward turning of
the foot and stifle. Usually it is not possible to fully extend the stifle
because of the lack of stretch in the affected muscle.
The muscle may be painful when palpated and it feels atrophied and like a
firm tendinous band running from the pelvis to the caudal and medial stifle.
Complications
No satisfactory long term treatment
Diagnosis
Physical examination of gait and muscle .
Treatment
Surgical resection of the tendon has been reported to result in
a dramatic improvement in
lameness in 100% of cases immediately
post-operatively - but there is recurrence
in less than 6 months..
Various medical treatments have been tried including corticosteroids,
colchicine, D-penicillamine and NSAIDs but without success.
Prognosis
Guarded.
Long term problems
Abnormal gait with secondary
biomechanical effects on other limbs.
Updated October 2013
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