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A 4-year-old, female, neutered Chihuahua cross was presented with a history of chronic apparent vomiting and coughing. Upon further questioning, regurgitation was suspected rather than vomiting. Conscious thoracic radiographs revealed generalised megaoesophagus. The dog was diagnosed with focal myasthenia gravis based on a positive acetylcholine receptor antibody titre 2.33 nmol/L (<0.6 nmol/L). The dog responded to pyridostigmine treatment (0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, increasing to 1.6 mg/kg every 12 hours) with reduced frequency of regurgitation episodes. In this case, differentiation between vomiting and regurgitation was crucial for appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment. Pyridostigmine is the treatment of choice for both focal and generalised myasthenia gravis. The dose must be titrated to control clinical signs in both forms of the disease.
Details
Title
Focal myasthenia gravis in a 4-year-oldChihuahua cross dog presented for apparent vomiting
Authors/Creators
Martyn A. Wray
Robert Shiel - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine
Pedro José Guzman Ramos
Publication Details
Vet Record: Case Reports, Early View
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.; HOBOKEN