CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Potter on May 26, 2008, 05:56:27 PM
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I've had the longest week of my life, and just need to talk to people who can understand, or have been through, what I have this last week. Sorry if I get emotional - hard not to where our little Cockers are concerned.
Masticatory Muscle Myositis, MMM. Has anyone heard of it? I have been told it's the canine equivalent of Bell's Palsy in humans - or at least similar.
Last Sunday Daisy was perfectly fine. By Monday night she could not open her mouth - at all. She couldn't even get her tongue through her front teeth to lap water. By Tuesday she was going downhill rapidly. She just sat looking at me and trying to whimper. It was awful. She was also trying to cough, like she had something stuck in the back of her throat, or a furball.
The Vet performed an emergency operation on Wednesday, having taken full bloods, X-rays, etc., none of which proved anything conclusively. He said that even under General Anaesthetic they could not open her jaw; they tried 3 times and each time the pain was so bad that Daisy came round from the GA, yelping. (I could have done without that little snippet of information, actually, Mr Vet). He said although the blood results did not back up his diagnosis, he was going to treat her for MMM, because that seemed the only logical thing to do.
Daisy is on 6 steroids a day, two anti flammatories a day and two antibiotics a day. To say she's like a zombie, is an understatement. And how easy is it to get this barrage of tablets into a dog, when you can't open the mouth?
The Vet has said MMM is not hereditory, they term it idiopathic because, like Bell's Palsy, there is no medical rhyme or reason for it at all. The masticatory muscles around the jaw simply lock solid. Mr Vet has only had two other cases in his time, and both recovered fully after this course of treatment. One of those dogs was a Cocker, the other a King Charles.
Has anyone heard of this being a spaniel thing? Although sceptical about everything you read on the Internet, I have been scouring it day and night for information - as you might imagine. The Internet mostly refers to MMM in heavy jawed breeds, like Rottweilers and American Pit Bulls, but nothing that points necessarily to breed specific. Maybe it's a coincidence?
For the first time in a week, I've seen a glimmer of my real Daisy - the tail has wagged, once. (As if to say, I'm still in here Mum, just trying to get out). And her jaw is slowly beginning to relax. She still can't yawn or eat properly, but I've boiled up some shin of beef, which flakes beautifully, and finger feeding it through her front teeth. And she's able to lap water. The weight has simply dropped off her, and her collar hangs around her neck horribly loosely.
It's a start. In the wee small hours I've virtually sold my soul to have my little Daisy back. She's just had her first birthday - who'd have thought a week later she'd be going through all this?
If anyone out there has had this horrible MMM, I'd love to hear from you. And if you have any tips for building Daisy's strength back up, or any foods that will tempt her to eat, old wives' tales all welcome, I'll try anything.
I'm so sorry to ramble. Promise to be cheerier next time.
Kay and Daisy
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Never heard of it - just wanted to send you hugs and gentle licks to your poor little girl.
Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery for her - I am sure someone on here will have heard of it and send you some positive help,
we are sending positive vibes your way.
:luv:
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Sorry no advise i just wanted to wish daisy a quick recovery- poor thing.
I had bells palsy when pregnant with my daughter and it wasnt a pleasant experience.
Hurry up and get better daisy :luv:
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I'm so sorry to read this Kay - you and poor little Daisy have certainly had the week from hell :'( :'( :'(
I know nothing of MMM - ok, well I've heard of it, but not heard of any dog having it - so don't have any medical advice for you. I'm wondering if when she recovers a bit if something like t-touch may help relax her.
As for food, tripe is fantastic for building her up (but I would wait until she can eat this by herself as hand feeding her raw tripe would be horrendous :o )
In the meantime, sending lots of positive and keep strong thoughts to you both, and hoping her improvement is steady and strong.
Thinking of you both :luv: :luv:
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sorry no help just wanted to send best wishes and hope daisy gets well soon, thinkin of you both :luv:
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Poor Daisy. I hope she recovers soon.
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That sounds horrid, I have never heard of it, but I hope Daisy is feeling better soon poor thing.
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OMG Kay, what a horrendous week :'( :'(
Hope Daisy continues to improve and can shake off this horrible thing, whatever it is. Sorry, I have no advice - never heard of it before - but I agree with Helen, tripe is meant to be great for building up underweight doglets. :-\
Sending lots of hugs, licks and positive thoughts to you and little Daisy, hoping she is back to herself very soon. :-* :-*
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sorry to hear about Daisy
I was wondering if the vet could suggest a meal replacement type thing - sort of fortified soup for her? Could she manage liquidised / baby food possibly with extra gravy addded?
Hope she's feeling better soon (and you)
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Thoughts and prayers heading your way
love and woofs
Val and Betty
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I'm sorry that I haven't got any advice for you but I just wanted to say that you and Daisy are in my thoughts and prayers.
I hope she continues to improve and that she is feeling much better very soon.
Take Care
Em x
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Poor little Daisy. I've never heard of MMM but it sounds awful. Thinking of you both and hope she continues to improve :-*
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Oh Kay ...how awful, my heart breaks for you :'( I hope someone will be along shortly who has some knowledge about this ..in the meantime will send lots of healing thoughts for poor Daisy, stay strong (((hug))) xxxxx
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I have never heard of it either but it sounds awful (but then, Bell's palsy is awful to experience too!)
It must be quite scary for Daisy too, I should think.
I do hope she recovers quickly.
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Oh no Kay I'm SO SO sorry. I can't believe she's so ill.. I'm sorry I don't know anything about MMM in dogs but I know a lady that's had Bell's and it was awful. I can't imagine what you're all going through.
Lots of hugs and kisses from me and Dave we'll keep everything crossed that she makes a quick recovery very soon :-* :-*
Hannah xxxx
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oh poor little thing and poor poor you for having to watch your little girl suffer so much, i do hope she gets better soon x
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Oh poor you and Daisy- am sorry can offer no help just a gentle lick from fred and best wished for a speedy recovery from us both
Lisa
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can't imagine what you and daisy have gone thro
Loads of hugs love and get well wishes from us here, hope you are better very soon Daisy :luv:
:luv: :-*
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Hi, never heard of this ailment at all. But just wanted to say hope your baby gets better soon, poor wee soul.
sending (((hugs)))) :luv:
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Oh Kay I would desperately love to offer some advice but I'm afraid I've never heard of it so just want to offer my sympathies and positive thoughts to you and Daisy :-* :luv:
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:'( How awful for both you and Daisy, I'm so sorry and wish you all the luck in the world for a speedy recovery for Daisy, :luv:
I have not heard of this ailment either. To help her eat, could you puree her food and use a large syringe to put it in her mouth ?
Love to you both
Jann and Flo :luv: :-*
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Sorry no help or advice from me either, but just wanted to say that we'll be thinking of you :luv:. Thank god she seems to be getting better :-*.
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Here is some information that may be of help. http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/06_Animal_Welfare/Neurology_Facts/Myositis.html
I do hope Daisy, and you, are feeling better.
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Sorry I've not heard of it either, just wanted to add our well wishes to you.
Hope Daisy's feeling better soon.
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so sorry to hear such a horrible thing about you! never heard about this MMM thing! before having my frodo, i had a puppy who suffered from parvovirus and he lost a lot of weight. being unable to eat, we had to feed him with a syringe. to make it easier, the vet gave us some special food, some flakes we had to mix with chicken soup. we got a paste ( more solid or liquid, however you consider better for you) and it was very rich in vitamins and all they have to regain after such a situation. maybe it will help you. we send all our love and hope for the best, for both of you. :-*
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so sorry for you and Daisy
sending lots of :luv: :luv: :luv: to you both,
sorry no advice to give
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Wishing you and daisy all the best! Chin up and get well soon daisy! :luv:
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So sorry to hear this, hope Daisy and you will be feeling better real soon :luv:
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How scary for the both of you :-\
Keeping everything crossed for a speedy recovery for Daisy :-*
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I am so sorry to hear about Daisy. I have never heard of MMM but we have all fingers and paws crossed here that she gets better very quickly.
When my last cocker, Sophie, was poorly she used to enjoy chicken Complan, it was the Vet who told me to give it her. Perhaps you could try this with Daisy to help build her up.
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How awful for poor Daisy and for you too. :'(
Sending you lots of positive thoughts
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Have seen Bells palsy in cockers, but never heard of MMM :huh: Sounds just awful. Hope the treatment works for her and she is better soon!
You can whizz up foods in the blender, mix with a little milk or water to make them easier to manage. Watered down tinned cat food is also a tempting treat. Ask your vet for a large syringe (30ml or more) so you can squirt it into her mouth (slowly and gently so she doesn't aspirate it) if need be
For my cats who can be a bit difficult about giving pills to (to put it mildly ::)) I melt down their pills in hot water (about 1 or 2 ml; again, ask your vet for a syringe) mix it thoroughly and fill the syringe and squirt in their mouths. Most pills dissolve and mix pretty well and if you just keep shaking the syringe until you get it in, they get most of the meds :blink:
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Poor Daisy, and you - not heard of MMM but wanted to say thinking of you both :-*
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Our last dog, also a Daisy, had a similar problem when she was about eight years old. I can’t be certain of the name the name but but it was similar and the vet did say that it was the equivalent of Bell’s Palsy in people. She probably wasn’t as bad as your Daisy is experiencing but was just awful. One side of her face and mouth was contorted, her left eye remained open all the time being unable to blink and the whole of the left side of her body was affected for a while. I was convinced that she’d had a stroke until the vet said otherwise.
I don’t think our little girl had any specific treatment and the vet was sure that she would improve over a period of weeks or months. Thankfully she did eventally make a near full recovery and I sincerely hope it will be the same for your Daisy. Sorry I can’t be of more help though.
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OMG how awful.
Sending lots of hugs and cocker kisses from our end.
Hope little Daisy recovers soon. :-*
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Poor Daisy and poor you, never heard of MMM, but wish Daisy a speedy recovery and lots of :luv:
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MMM is a new one on me too.
Thinking of you and Daisy :luv: . Hope the meds kick in soon. Sending positive thoughts from me and a healing cocker slurp or two from Fern :-* .
Here is some information that may be of help. http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/06_Animal_Welfare/Neurology_Facts/Myositis.html
I found that really interesting reading.
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It sounds terrifying - just wanted to send get well wishes
Thinking of you and hope daisy is getting better by the time you read this
Lynne and Paddy :luv:
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This explains it well I think
http://www.gsdhelpline.com/myositis.htm
I think this will hopefully put your mind at rest a little anyway
The prognosis (outcome) for dogs with masticatory muscle myositis is good if treated early with adequate doses of corticosteroids. Jaw mobility should return to normal unless the disease process has been long standing and significant scar tissue is interfering with jaw function. The prognosis for dogs with extraocular myositis typically is good as the disease is responsive to corticosteroid therapy
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Sorry to hear about poor Daisy. Can offer no advice on MMM but just wanted to say 'get well soon'. Both of you take care, Sarah & Willow XX
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Kay - I am so so so sorry to read about Daisy. I've never heard of MMM before either but hope that the meds manage to sort her out quickly.
It must be heartbreaking for you to watch your gorgeous girl go through this.
Thinking of you
xxx
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Hello again
Thank you all so much for your overwhelming responses. Thank you for being so understanding.
And thank you SO much to those who have provided websites for me to look at - I've read them all, several times! All your kind words have certainly lifted my spirits - living in a constant state of worry is a terrible thing. And thank you for all the feeding tips - my brain had just gone into neutral - I've made a list of them all and will be working my way through them!
Daisy IS making progress, although it is very slow going. But I keep telling myself it is a step in the right direction. Lots of little steps and we'll get there in the end.
A BIG thank you to you all. Why I hesitated so long posting my topic I do not know, but I'm really pleased I did.
I'll keep in touch.
Kay and Daisy
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I've just caught up with this so apologise for not replying sooner. I have never heard of it either, but looking at the websites, it does seem to have a positive outcome which must be a huge relief for you.
Keeping everything crossed for you and Daisy, that she keeps making positive steps forward. She sounds as though she has a wonderful spirit, and I'm sure with that and a wonderful, caring and loving owner, her recovery will be swift and complete. Lots of love and positive thoughts being sent to you both :luv: :luv:
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Pleased to hear there is some improvement...hope the little steps lead to a full recovery really soon (((hugs))) x
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I'm so sorry to hear about Daisy.
Sending love and cocker kisses...hope she gets better soon. xxx
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I've only just seen this, Kay & I'm so sorry to read about poor Daisy.
I too have never heard of it.......it sounds horrendous!! :o
I'm glad to hear that Daisy seems to be making progress albeit very slowly ; that must be a positive sign. ;)
Lots of healing thoughts to you from us here. :D
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Only just read this. Poor Daisy :'( Hope she is OK
also- hope you're ok :-*
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So sorry to read about Daisy. It's so upsetting when they get sick all of a sudden.
Really really hope she'll get over this soon. How is she doing??
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Hope she makes a full and speedy recovery.
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Hi there, we used to have a member on here ( Penel) who runs a support group for owners of dogs with auto immune diseases like MMM, here is a link to the site incase you would be interested in joining it, as I'm sure there will be loads of helpful information there: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CIMDAsupport/
really hoping that your lovely girl is feeling better soon xx
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Sorry to hear about Daisy hope she is feeling better soon. Thinking of you both. x
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am so sorry to hear about Daisy's condition, am hoping that you will find some answers and that Daisy will make a good recovery. thoughts and prayers with you
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Have only just seen this, hope Daisy is improving, sending prayers.
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I hope daisy keeps improving. I had a westie many years ago that had problems with his jaw from a few months old.one day he was fine the next he couldn't open it at all, he just sat with his head down and was obviously in pain :huh: he was given medication that he had to stay on for a few months but made a full recovery as i'm sure daisy will do :D just keep giving lots of love and she'll get through it. sending lots of :luv: and {{HUGS}} to you both.
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Update:
Daisy has now completed 4 weeks of steroids, anti inflammatories and anti biotics. After the first course of anti biotics ceased, she got a chest infection because the steriods were doing something to her immune system - awful. Anyway....
She has been a poor old mess, but she is MUCH, MUCH better. HURRAH! :D :D My heart can sing again. Her personality is coming back and she is initiating play once more.
The downside is that she is BLOATED beyond belief from the steriods. >:( Dear me, what a porker. :shades: Poor old Daisy - no walks or anything for 4 weeks has clearly left its mark. :o So, we are now building up the walks again, and to begin with it was like taking a really old dog out. Quite alarming actually. We are up to two good walks a day, off lead and across fields. Inbetween that we have two or three bouts of 10-15 minutes of training - but not easy without training treats! :005:
Now that she is entirely drug free, my OH and I are obsessive about her yawns, bite control, and games with balls, tuggy ropes, etc. Anything that involves using her mouth/jaw and that doesn't look remotely normal is discussed in minute detail....! We just don't want her to slip back at all.
It is a JOY to have her back to her (almost - waistline excluded) old self again. It sounds bizarre, but it's as if your whole life goes on "hold" when you have a sick puppy. I would not wish to go through that again in a hurry..... no sirreeee !
Thank you to you all, for all your concerns, help and advice. Let's hope this chapter is now closed....
Lots of cocker cuddles from
Kay and Daisy
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Fantastic news that Daisy is better :luv:, what a worry thats been for you. Glad she is getting back to her old self, and I'm sure she'll lose the bloated look soon. :-*
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I'm so pleased that Daisy is getting back to her old, young, self.
:luv: to you and to Daisy :-*
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Great News :D
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That's great news that Daisy is better! :D You must be so relieved.
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That's great news that little Daisy is almost back to normal.
I hope this is the end of your worries now
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Really pleased to hear things are improving - I'm sure her weight will come off with exercise and diet control - It is horribly stressful when they are poorly and a great relief when they pick up again!
Best wishes
Lynne and Paddy :luv:
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I am glad to hear all is well now. The weight will be shed I am sure. Steroids can have an awful effect on doggies but they kept my baby alive for 7 years so I guess they have their place in the scheme of things :-\ Here's hoping Daisy goes from strength to strength :blink: