Bailey
Last Updated: 9-27-2016
Muscular Dystrophy is a rare condition that affects the muscle of the dog. Signs can range from exercise intolerance to episodes of weakness and possible collapse. We are in the process of learning more about this.
Bailey is much like any other blonde Labrador Retriever. He wags his tail, loves to eat and wants to play. But he can’t always play. Bailey has Muscular Dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophy, a genetically linked disease has been essentially non-existent in dogs until recently.
Bailey started to show signs of just not being right at a young age. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork for his neutering surgery revealed elevated liver enzymes. We pursued additional diagnostics that demonstrated highly elevated creatine phosphokinase which is a muscle enzyme. Muscle biopsy definitely diagnosed muscular dystrophy.
Sadly, Bailey is not the only dog diagnosed with muscular dystrophy but he is now part of a local support group. Our goal is to educate owners and breeders about the disease. Please contact me at the office if you are interested in finding out more or if you know of a lab that may be affected. We will continue to have updates on our site so please stay tuned!