Suspected triggers of MMM include bacterial and/or viral infection, vaccinations, stress, exposure to allergens, reactions to medication, and exposure to environmental toxins. A complete physical exam and medical history can help. Masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) is an immune system disorder in which the dog’s immune system identifies the dog’s own muscle tissue as foreign and attacks it. While this is not an approach that is discussed much in the veterinary literature, veterinary acupuncturists report excellent results in a majority of cases of MMM.No matter the treatment chosen, dogs with MMM will require changes to their feeding. Your veterinarian can assist you with feeding recommendations during a bout of MMM.The outlook for individual dogs depends upon the degree of inflammation in the muscles and the dog’s response to therapy. Treatment with corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication can cause the blood test to register a false negative.The current recommended traditional treatment for MMM involves an immune-suppressive dose of corticosteroid medication -- usually prednisone -- given over a period of months. Meibomian Gland Tumors in Dogs. Acute pain upon opening the mouth, or a sudden inability to open the mouth, is often due to the presence of a foreign object lodged inside the mouth. MMM causes these muscles to become swollen and painful. Dogs who have experienced MMM may relapse, and they may be more difficult to treat during subsequent bouts of the disease. Some dogs may need to remain in treatment for the rest of their lives. MMM occurs most often in Retrievers, German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers. Blood tests, X-rays, CT scans and electromyography (EMG) can help your vet confirm the presence of Masticatory Muscle Myositis.Immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids are usually administered to manage this condition. Monitor your dog's progress carefully from the time his treatment begins. It's more common in some breeds of dog … The sooner your dog is diagnosed, the better his prognosis will be. In some dogs scar tissue can form within the masticatory muscles causing permanent problems.One problem with long-term prednisone therapy is muscle atrophy -- a clinical sign that also happens with the progression of MMM. Masticatory Muscle Myositis, or MMM, is a condition in which the muscles of your dog's jaw become inflamed.It occurs due to an autoimmune response, in which your dog's own immune system attacks the muscle fibers of his jaw. This type of myositis may be acute, meaning that symptoms come on suddenly, or chronic, meaning that symptoms develop gradually and get worse over time. Over time, the muscles of your dog's jaw can shrink, giving him a thin-faced, hollow-cheeked appearance. In chronic cases, your dog's pain may gradually become so severe that he cannot open his mouth.MMM can cause your dog's eyes to bulge, and can lead to prolapse of the inner eyelid (a condition in which your dog's inner eyelid slips out of place and becomes visible at the corners of his eyes). If your dog is not being tube-fed, switch him to soft food instead. The veterinarian removes a small section of affected muscle for evaluation under the microscope by a pathologist.
The blood test must be drawn before any treatment is provided. Your dog may drool excessively and develop a fever. Free shipping on prescription refills, pet food and more! The test looks for and measures circulating antibodies that attack the muscle fibers, and is offered by the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory at the University of California – San Diego. Some dogs will require prednisone therapy for the rest of their lives, but many can be weaned off.Side effects of prednisone include excessive appetite, excessive thirst, and increased urination (from increased water intake).Another approach to MMM treatment is neuromodulatory acupuncture.
There is a blood test that was developed at the University of California at San Diego that will test for these antibodies.
A biopsy from the temporalis muscle is also recommended to determine the severity of masticatory muscle myositis. Keeping your Pet Healthy and Happy. We're here for you and your pet in 43 states. Dogs with MMM cannot open their mouths without excruciating pain. That said, the definitive diagnostic test for MMM is a muscle biopsy. Softening kibble with warm water may be enough to encourage eating. Your vet will need to rule out these other possible causes of your dog's symptoms before he can diagnose Masticatory Muscle Myositis. Avoid giving him chew toys or chewy treats, like rawhide. The muscle biopsy demonstrates the level of inflammation present as well as the severity of the fibrosis that occurs in this disease as the muscle tissue deteriorates.There is now a blood test for diagnosing MMM. If MMM is diagnosed early and treatment is initiated right away, a dog usually regains normal jaw function and the ability to open and close his mouth without pain. Medical Conditions, Pet Services Some dogs may be predisposed genetically to immune-mediated diseases, including MMM. At that point, things were okay, but we were told to be prepared for him … Unfortunately, most of the time, the actual trigger of MMM will never be known.Early in the course of MMM, the muscles used for chewing can actually look swollen and feel warm to the touch.
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