Coccygeal myopathy

The coccygeal myopathy (Greek for "tail muscle disease "; English limber tail ) is a rare neurological disease in domestic dogs . It shows up in pain at the base of the tail and a tail paralysis. The disease usually heals within a few days without treatment.

Occurrence and development of the disease

Kokzygeal myopathy is most common in adolescent and young adult dogs. Pointers and retrievers are particularly affected .

The exact cause is unknown. As predisposing factors overloading Swimming apply in cold water ( "Wasserrute"), wet cold weather, poor training condition and cage transports. A circulatory disorder in the area of ​​the tail muscles with the loss of muscle fibers is suspected, i.e. a vascular disorder according to the VETAMIN D scheme.

Clinic and diagnostics

The disease occurs acutely and manifests itself in a hypersensitivity to touch at the base of the tail and a flaccid paralysis of the tail. Affected animals often show a lowered croup due to the pain and avoid sitting down.

Laboratory medicine shows an increase in creatine kinase , the diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the clinical picture and the preliminary report. An electromyography can confirm the diagnosis.

In the differential diagnosis, tail fractures , cauda equina syndrome , diseases of the lumbar and cross parts of the spinal cord , but also the anal sacs and the prostate must be excluded.

treatment

Kokzygeal myopathy usually heals within a few days, even without treatment. If necessary, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used.

The prognosis is good and recurrences are rare.

literature

• Domminik Faissler et al .: Kokzygeal Myopathy. In: Andre Jaggy: Atlas and textbook of small animal neurology . Schlütersche 2005, pp. 278-279. ISBN 3-87706-739-5

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !