Acquired myasthenia gravis in Dogs

Breeds documented
3
Published sources
3

Overview

In acquired myasthenia gravis, the immune system interferes with the messages that tell muscles to move. This causes weakness that may become more noticeable during activity and improve after rest. The swallowing muscles may also weaken, allowing the food pipe to enlarge. Food or water can then enter the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection.

Signs to watch for

  • Tiring early during activity, with improvement after rest
  • Weak back legs or stiff movements
  • Bringing food back up
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Changes in the sound of the bark
  • Difficulty closing the eyelids

The acquired form commonly develops in mature dogs.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog struggles to breathe.

Diagnosis and tests

A specific blood test looks for antibodies that attack the receptors used to pass signals from nerves to muscles. Vets also perform a physical examination and general blood tests, sometimes including thyroid checks. Chest X-rays can reveal an enlarged food pipe, lung infection or a tumor associated with the disease.

Breeds with documented risk

3 breeds

By breed size
  • 1 Toy
  • 1 Small
  • 1 Medium

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. vet.cornell.edu
  2. merckvetmanual.com
  3. Chihuahua: avmajournals.avma.org