Does anyone have any good info on this, symptoms etc. If a littler sibling is diagnosed with it, can you breed from another from the same litter, is it inherited/congenital. Any info greatly appreiated.

Hi Jenny.
I saw a program earlier today with a dog with this ailment.
Some  symptoms were severe bunny hopping gait when running and then collapse on back end after short exercise.Also the vet said something about trouble with the main food pipe[sorry cant spell it]becoming enlarged.
He said the disease is all to do with nerve endings and the chemicals released as the dog flexes.
Im sure that someone more in the know can and will be on soon.
The vet said it can respond well to the correct medication.
Hope this helps a bit.

jonelle

The other ailment is megaoesophagus.  How sad!   Sorry Jenny can't help, only wish I could.

Hi Jenny,

I haven't got a clue what it is all about, but I *think* a poster called KayC (have I got the right person?) has a dog with the same condition, maybe have a look out for her, if not I am sure the person I am getting mixed up with will be along soon.

Sorry if I have got the wrong person :)

Nat

Hi, have a look at - http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_myasthenia_gravis.html

Hi Jenny, yes Natalie is correct, it is me who 'had' a dog diagnosed with MG.  Sadly Megan is no longer with me, and lost her 15months ago :( 

Megans symptoms were very severe, and at the time MG was so rare that it no vet could diagnose, finally a french vet on a years transfer to Royal dick spotted a similarity in her that he had only seen once before. Tests then had to be sent to San Diego in California. Most vets will never see this condition in their lifetime.

Megans symptoms started when she was out walking with my daughter, and she collapsed with heatstroke. Her face lost muscular control and her back legs literally dragged along the ground. The vet thought it was simply heatstroke and was treated for that.  Over time the syptoms became more frequent, BUT, mostly when she was exited, hmm a working ESS, that would be permanent lol.  But it did get to the stage where Megan could get to the front door and simply lose the muscle control of her hind legs.  Even collapse once crossing a road and a car nearly hit us. It is very quick and loss of control is literally instantaneous. 

However, once Megan was finally diagnosed, with a lot of alterations and changes in medication until finding dosage which suited her, I am pleased to say that Megan lived a very full and active (relatively) life until she was 9. Vets were considering letting her go at around 18months. Although Megans symtoms were very severe and added to that she suffered heart problems (related to MG, remember the heart is a muscle) she did not suffer any other symptoms. ie Megasophegus or cancer etc.  I finally lost Megan to a Brain Tumour, probably completely unrelated to MG.

In total Megans treatment cost around £5000 over 7.5 years, her medication was £200 per bottle, cheap at the price to give such a wonderful dog the life she deserved. Sadly missed but still with me :)

Never give up hope, not all is as bad as it may seem in the begining ;)

oops, back to your original question,  yes it is congenital, and no I would never dare breed with any dog or bitch whose sibling/s had this condition... It is not so rare now as it was 8 years ago :(  And eight years is not very long, possibly only 3 generations max!!!

Thanks everyone, my dog doesnt have it but one of her litter sisters has been diagnosed with it and it seems a brother had megaesophagus and had to be pts eventually, of course it seems that this has now scuppered my breeding programme with her, I am going to the vets tomorrow to see if there are any tests available now and can only hope that she does not have it, she has shown no signs as yet, and is now 2 years 3 months, thats whats confusing I though it affected young dogs, Ie pups or dogs that are a lot older. None of the sites I have looked at say whether or not it is hereditary or whether or not to breed, her other sisters seem to be ok too and I know at least one of them was going to bred from too.
I just hope she stays healthy.

Hi Jenny

I only know of this in humans as a friend of the family had it in his late 60's/70's.  He was bringing up his tablets through his nose etc. and went down quick, so I presume that it can also happen later on in life with dogs.  Luckily someone who his wife babysits for knew of this illness (it is also still fairly rare in people) and told her to get him to the doctors again straight away and to advise that this was what it may be.

Luckily he went to a brilliant neurologist and lived for a number of years, but he had to be careful not to get any viruses such as colds or flu as they could be fatal.  He was on strong steroids for a long time once diagnosed.