I thought I had just posted this but its disappeared, so I will try again.......

My friends Beagle has just been diagnosed with Mandible Mastication Mytosis, ive looked on google but I cant find anything about it.  I was just wondering if anyone here has heard of it or experienced it.  He started off not being able to open his mouth properly and now he looks like his head is caving in.  Apparantly its a muscle wasting disease.

Claire

I've known three dogs with this; one with the version where opening the mouth is difficult, and two (mother and son) where the muscle wasting on the head occurred for no apparent reason and without any other symptoms, at the age of 8. One of these lived to the age of 14 with no ill-effects from it (other than looking prematurely aged) and the other is still alive and thriving at the age of 12 (again, looking prematurely aged). In their case it seems to have a hereditary element, although no other puppies have been reported as affected.

The other one was treated with steroids and now has no trouble eating - again just has the prematurely aged appearance due to the wasted muscle on the head, which seems to be irreversible.

Information.

I have direct experience of this if you want to PM me

Diane

Thank you for that information, he has the closed mouth type, the vet is worried about the steriods as he is so young they might affect his bones.