Mmm In Dogs Life Expectancy

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Everyone loves a good underdog story, and there’s no better example than that of Destiny, a skinny little pit bull shelter dog with masticatory Muscle Myositis. Destiny has found herself a loving forever home, but as you will soon see, it was by no means an easy journey for her to get there.

What Is Masticatory Myositis in Dogs?

Masticatory Muscle Myositis (MMM), or eosinophilic myositis, is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the muscles of the head and jaw required for chewing (or mastication). Myositis means muscle inflammation (swelling).

This disease attacks the special fibers found only in the muscle of the head and jaw, and this extremely painful condition inflames muscles, preventing your dog from opening his or her mouth to eat, chew, or play with toys.

The disease affects the Type 2M muscle fibers, which are unique to the temporalis and masseter muscles of the head and jaw. There are acute and chronic forms of this disease which describe the progression of the disease. Dogs will progress from the acute to the chronic form of the disease over time, if untreated.

Both male and female adult dogs can be affected and are mostly young- to middle-aged dogs.

Most common breeds affected include:

Who develops MMM? Are there some breeds that are more susceptible to MMM than others?

MMM can occur in any breed and in both males and females. The average age of MMM patients is 3 years, but there have been cases of dogs as young as 4 months with the disease. There are several breeds that are identified as more likely to develop MMM, These breeds include:

  • Golden Retrievers
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • German Shepherds
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Rottweilers
  • Weimaraners
  • Large Breed Dogs

    • What are the Symptoms of Masticatory Muscle Myositis?

    Masticatory muscle myositis is a progressive disease with periods of remission. When the disease is in remission, there are no symptoms. In the early stages, it may not even be obvious that a dog has the disease.

    When the disease is active, however, the afflicted pup’s inflammatory immune response targets their chewing muscles. This results in swollen, painful jaws, which make it hard for the dog to chew or open their mouth. Dogs may reflect this discomfort by being less vocal, eating less, and being prone to choking. In some cases, dogs may have slightly sunken or protruding eyes.

    Beyond their jaw issues, however, dogs with MMM are otherwise healthy. They present with no other neurological or physical challenges.

    FAQ

    Can a dog live with MMM?

    “MMM generally responds initially to therapy, but relapses occur quickly if treatment is discontinued prematurely.” “If the disease is diagnosed early and a dog is treated appropriately, the prognosis is good for dogs with MMM,” Greenfield says. “In these cases, dogs can usually regain normal jaw mobility and function.

    How quickly does MMM progress in dogs?

    In the study, MMM generally carried a favorable prognosis when treated promptly with immunosuppressive doses of prednisone. Dogs typically regained normal masticatory function within 4 weeks of treatment, although 27% of affected dogs experienced relapse that resolved with continued glucocorticoid therapy.

    Is myositis in dogs fatal?

    Masticatory Myositis in Dogs FAQs

    Masticatory myositis can be fatal as the dog cannot open its mouth to eat or drink properly. If the disease goes untreated or it has progressed to the point that most of the muscle fibers of the jaw have been replaced by fibrous tissue, this disease is not curable.

    Is there a cure for MMM in dogs?

    How is MMM treated? The current recommended traditional treatment for MMM is an immune-suppressive dose of corticosteroid medication — usually prednisone — given over a period of months. Early aggressive treatment offers the highest chance for remission.