Dogs are the most loyal companions of humans, and their health conditions always tug at the heartstrings of their owners. Muscle atrophy is a possible health issue that dogs may face. It not only affects the appearance and mobility of dogs but may also have a significant impact on their quality of life and lifespan. This article will thoroughly explore the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, as well as preventive and treatment measures for muscle atrophy in dogs, helping dog owners better understand and cope with this problem.
I. What is muscle atrophy in dogs?
Muscle atrophy in dogs refers to a condition in which the muscle tissue of dogs shows a reduction in volume and a weakening in strength. This can be caused by various reasons. For example, neurological diseases (such as spinal cord injury, nerve inflammation, etc.) affect the innervation of nerves to muscles, causing the muscles to gradually atrophy as they cannot function normally. Endocrine diseases (such as hypothyroidism) cause abnormal metabolism in dogs and affect muscle function. Muscle diseases themselves (such as muscular dystrophy) directly damage muscle cells. Improper rehabilitation after trauma and surgery causes the muscles to atrophy due to lack of exercise and stimulation. In addition, malnutrition (lack of protein, vitamins, minerals, etc.) and long-term lack of exercise can also cause the muscles of dogs to gradually lose their normal form and function. This not only affects the activity ability and quality of life of dogs but may also have adverse effects on the functions of other organs in their bodies.
II. Causes of muscle atrophy in dogs
i.Disease factors
1. Neurological diseases:
Spinal cord injury: It may be caused by external force impact, falling or other accidents. After the spinal cord is damaged, the conduction of nerve signals is blocked and muscles cannot be normally controlled, causing muscle atrophy. For example, a dog falling from a height may cause spinal cord injury, which in turn leads to muscle atrophy in the hind limbs.
Nerve inflammation: Such as neuritis, etc., will interfere with the normal function of nerves. Inflammation may be caused by infection, autoimmune diseases, etc. When nerve function is damaged, the muscles it innervates will gradually atrophy.
Intervertebral disc herniation: It is common in some specific breeds of dogs, such as dachshunds, Pekingese, etc. The protruding intervertebral disc may compress the spinal nerve, affecting the nerve's control over muscles and leading to muscle atrophy and weakness.
2.Endocrine diseases:
Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormones play an important regulatory role in a dog's metabolism. When hypothyroidism occurs, the metabolism slows down, and the functions of various organs and tissues in the body decline, including the muscles. Dogs will experience fatigue, reduced activity, and gradual muscle atrophy.
Hyperadrenocorticism: Also known as Cushing's syndrome. This disease leads to hormonal imbalance in the body, increased protein catabolism, and the decomposition of muscle tissue, thereby causing muscle atrophy.
3.Muscle diseases:
Muscular dystrophy: This is a genetic disease that mainly affects the normal development and function of muscles. The muscles of affected dogs will gradually lose strength and atrophy. Different types of muscular dystrophy have different manifestations, but they will all cause serious damage to a dog's muscles.
Polymyositis: It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakenly attacks its own muscle tissue, leading to inflammation and muscle damage, and then causing muscle atrophy.
ii. Injury factors
1.Trauma:
Fracture: Severe fractures not only damage bones but also cause damage to the surrounding muscle tissue. During the recovery process after a fracture, if the fixation is improper or rehabilitation training is not timely, the muscles will atrophy due to long-term inactivity.
Sprains and strains: Intense exercise or improper activities may cause sprains or strains in a dog's muscles. If the injured muscles do not receive proper treatment and sufficient rest, atrophy is also likely to occur.
2.Surgery:
Some surgeries, such as orthopedic surgeries and tumor resection surgeries, may cause a certain degree of damage to the surrounding muscle tissue. If postoperative care is improper and the muscle recovery is affected, atrophy may occur.
iii. Malnutrition
1.Protein deficiency:
Protein is an important material basis for muscle growth and repair. If there is insufficient protein in a dog's diet, the muscles cannot receive enough nutritional support and will gradually atrophy. For example, long-term feeding of low-quality dog food or a single type of food may lead to insufficient protein intake.
2.Lack of vitamins and minerals:
Vitamins such as vitamin D, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are crucial for the normal function and metabolism of muscles. Lack of these nutrients will affect the contractility and growth and development of muscles, and then cause muscle atrophy.
iv. Lack of exercise
Dogs that lack exercise for a long time will not receive enough stimulation for their muscles, and the muscles will gradually become loose and atrophy. Especially for elderly dogs, dogs with certain diseases who are bedridden for a long time, and dogs who are locked in a small space for a long time, due to lack of exercise, the risk of muscle atrophy is higher.
III. Symptoms of muscle atrophy in dogs
i. Changes in muscle appearance
1.Reduction in volume
The most intuitive manifestation is that the muscles become thinner. For example, when a dog's leg muscles atrophy, the legs will become significantly thinner, and the originally round and full muscle contours gradually disappear. Touching with the hand can feel that the thickness of the muscle becomes thinner, and the normal firm muscle feel is replaced by soft tissue.
For dogs with back muscle atrophy, the muscles on both sides of the spine are no longer as full as before, and depressions will appear, making the dog's back line look more prominent.
2.Muscle relaxation
Atrophied muscles lose their original elasticity and tension. For example, if muscle atrophy occurs in a dog's abdomen, the belly will become loose and saggy, losing the slightly taut feeling in a healthy state. This relaxation is more obvious when the dog is active or when the skin is gently pulled.
ii. Impaired motor function
1.Weakened strength
Dogs will show obvious lack of strength. For example, when performing a jumping action, in the past, they could easily jump onto the sofa or bed. After muscle atrophy, they may only be able to jump up a little bit with difficulty, or even not be able to jump up at all.
Changes in strength can also be found when walking. Under normal circumstances, dogs walk with steady steps. After muscle atrophy, the hind limbs or front limbs may show a dragging phenomenon, especially when walking on slopes or uneven roads, it feels like they cannot fully support the weight of the body.
2.Limited range of activity
The activity range of dogs will be reduced. It may no longer be able to freely stretch its limbs as it did when it was healthy. For example, when performing a simple action like stretching, the degree of limb extension is significantly less than before.
For some games that require large limb movements, such as chasing a frisbee, dogs may not be able to participate or have a very low level of participation due to muscle atrophy. They can only move slowly and are very easily fatigued.
3.Abnormal movement posture
Due to muscle atrophy leading to an imbalance in strength, the posture of dogs will change. Common ones are scoliosis. When the degree of muscle atrophy on one side is greater than that on the other side, in order to maintain balance, the spine will gradually bend to the side with more severe atrophy.
There is also the situation of limping. This may be because the muscle atrophy at a certain part of the limb causes the limb to be unable to exert force normally, and a limping phenomenon will appear when walking or running. In addition, dogs may also appear unsteady when standing because muscle atrophy affects their balance ability.
iii. Other related symptoms
1.Pain
Some dogs will feel pain during the process of muscle atrophy. This pain may be more obvious when touching the atrophied muscle, and the dog will show reactions such as avoidance and whimpering. The reason for the pain may be muscle tension and spasms during the atrophy process or caused by changes in joint stress due to atrophy.
2.Decreased appetite
Due to the physical discomfort and decreased activity ability caused by muscle atrophy, a dog's appetite may be affected. It may have less interest in food, reduce food intake, and even show picky eating. This will further affect the overall health status of the dog and aggravate the degree of muscle atrophy.
Best Supplements for dog’s muscle health is recommended as below
Noora Daily Multi
Dvantages: Noora Daily Multi is a comprehensive health supplement designed to care for dog health by providing 21 essential nutrients. It is rich in vitamin E and C, reducing inflammation and protecting muscle cells for dogs of all ages
Appearance/Taste: The supplement comes in a vegetable flavor, which is appealing to dogs and encourages consumption.
Size: Each chew is formulated to be 3.5 grams, making it a manageable size for dogs to chew comfortably.
Quantity: 60 chews in each bottle, a total of 210 g (7.41 oz).
Noora HMB Soft Chew
Advantages: Noora HMB Soft Chew is a health supplement specifically designed for dogs to support overall muscle retention and function, promoting joint stability and flexibility. It contains β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) and Vitamin D3, which help enhance muscle mass and support healthy mobility.
Appearance/Taste: The product comes in the form of soft chewable tablets with an enticing chicken liver flavor, designed to increase palatability and acceptance by dogs.
Weight: Each chewable tablet weighs 2 grams.
Quantity: Each bottle contains 90 soft chews, with a net weight of 6.35 oz (180 g).
Components & Functions:
Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Monohydrate (myHMB): 333 mg, helps maintain muscle mass and promotes muscle recovery.
Vitamin D3: 150 IU, supports calcium absorption and bone health while aiding muscle function.
Noora8-in-1 Health Supplement
Advantages: Specifically designed for dogs, this supplement provides comprehensive health support, including for joints, muscles, cardiovascular health, skin, gut, and immune system. It contains a number of active ingredients, including Glucosamine and MSM. Other active ingredients include Boswellia Extract and Grape Seed Extract. Moreover, the product contains a variety of vitamins and mineral essential to maintaining the health of dogs. Vitamins C and E act as antioxidants and protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. Hyaluronic acid aids in skin and joint health. These ingredients provide the necessary nutritional support to help dogs maintain health and vitality.
Appearance/Taste: This product is available in chewable tablets that have a chicken liver taste to make it more appealing for dogs.
Size: 2.5 grams each tablet, 50 tablets in each bottle, a total of 125g (4.41 oz ).
IV.Preventive measures for muscle atrophy in dogs
i.Diet aspect
1.Ensure a balanced diet
Choose high-quality dog food: High-quality dog food is the basis for ensuring a dog's nutrition. The formula of dog food should contain sufficient nutritional components such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. You can check the ingredient list of dog food and choose dog food with a high content of animal protein (such as chicken, beef, fish, etc. as the main source of protein), and contains various vitamins (such as vitamins A, B group, C, D, E, etc.) and minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, etc.).
Properly add supplementary foods: In addition to dog food, you can also appropriately add some healthy supplementary foods to enrich a dog's diet. For example, you can feed cooked chicken, beef, or fish to dogs 2 - 3 times a week. These are good sources of high-quality protein and are helpful for muscle growth and maintenance. At the same time, you can also add some vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, etc. They contain rich vitamins and fiber, which are beneficial to a dog's overall health.
Supplement necessary nutrients: For some nutrients that are easily lacking, such as vitamin D and calcium, you can appropriately supplement them under the advice of a veterinarian. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium and is very important for maintaining the health of bones and muscles. For example, you can use special pet vitamin D and calcium supplements for dogs, but pay attention to using them in the correct dosage to avoid excessive intake.
2.Control the amount and frequency of food intake
Maintain an appropriate weight: Avoid excessive obesity or emaciation in dogs. Excessive obesity will increase the burden on a dog's joints and muscles and easily lead to problems such as muscle atrophy; while emaciation may be a manifestation of malnutrition and will also affect muscle health. According to factors such as a dog's breed, age, and activity level, reasonably control the amount of food fed at each meal. Generally speaking, adult dogs can be fed 1 - 2 times a day, and puppies may need to be fed 3 - 4 times.
Feed regularly and in fixed amounts: Establishing regular feeding habits is helpful for a dog's digestion and absorption. Fixed feeding times can allow a dog's stomach and intestines to adapt and better absorb the nutritional components in food, providing stable nutritional support for muscles.
ii. Exercise aspect
1.Customize a suitable exercise plan
According to the breed and age of the dog: Different breeds of dogs have different exercise needs. For example, shepherd dog breeds such as Border Collies are energetic and need more exercise, such as taking long walks and playing frisbee every day. Small dogs like Pomeranians can have relatively shorter exercise intensity and duration. At the same time, puppies' bones and muscles are not fully developed, so exercise should be moderate to avoid damage caused by excessive exercise. Adult dogs can engage in some slightly more intense exercises. Elderly dogs are more suitable for some gentle exercises, such as short-distance walks.
Combine exercise types: including aerobic exercise and strength training. Aerobic exercise can improve a dog's cardiopulmonary function, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc. Strength training helps enhance muscle strength. For example, let dogs do some simple slope climbing training and crossing small obstacles. However, when doing strength training, pay attention to gradually increasing the difficulty and intensity to avoid overtraining.
2.Ensure exercise safety
Choose a suitable exercise venue: The exercise venue should be flat and safe, without sharp objects or dangerous traps. For example, avoid exercising in places with broken glass, nails, etc. If outdoors, pay attention to observing the surrounding environment to prevent dogs from accidentally eating poisonous plants or coming into contact with other harmful substances.
Wear appropriate equipment: Put on appropriate collars, leashes and other equipment for dogs to ensure that their actions can be effectively controlled during exercise. For some easily injured parts, such as joints, protectors such as knee pads and elbow pads can be used as needed to reduce the risk of injury.
iii. Daily health management aspect
1.Regular physical examinations
Comprehensive examination: Regularly take dogs to the veterinarian for a comprehensive physical examination, including body measurements, blood tests, urine tests, X-ray examinations, etc. Blood tests can detect various physiological indicators of dogs, such as blood sugar, liver function, kidney function, thyroid function, etc., and timely detect potential diseases that may lead to muscle atrophy. X-ray examinations can observe the condition of bones and joints and rule out bone diseases. Generally, it is recommended that adult dogs have a comprehensive physical examination at least once a year. Elderly dogs and dogs with chronic diseases can appropriately increase the frequency of physical examinations.
2.Pay attention to muscle condition
In daily care, owners should also pay attention to observing the muscle condition of dogs. Regularly touch a dog's muscles and check whether there are changes in muscle elasticity and volume. If abnormal conditions such as hardening, softening, or shrinking of muscles are found, consult a veterinarian in time.
3.Prevent trauma
Provide a safe living environment: Ensure that the environment where the dog lives is safe to avoid accidents for the dog. For example, protective fences can be installed at the stairway entrances at home to prevent the dog from falling; place dangerous items (such as knives, chemicals, etc.) out of the reach of the dog.
Be careful when the dog interacts: When the dog interacts with other animals or people, pay attention to avoiding violent collisions or fights. If the dog is injured, deal with it in time, including cleaning the wound, disinfecting, bandaging, etc., and decide whether to take the dog to see a veterinarian according to the severity of the wound.
