An Inflammatory Myopathy in the Dutch Kooiker Dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Genetics
• Neuromuscular Diseases

Background:

• The Dutch Kooiker dog breed has documented heritable diseases since 1960.
• An inflammatory myopathy emerged in 1972, with increasing prevalence in recent decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe clinical signs, laboratory results, electromyography, and muscle biopsy histopathology in affected Kooiker dogs.
• To identify and categorize affected dogs using a Tiered level of Confidence.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective and prospective identification of affected Kooiker dogs.
• Clinical examination, laboratory analysis (CK levels), electromyography, and histopathology of muscle biopsies were performed.

Main Results:

• 160 Kooiker dogs were included (40 Tier I, 33 Tier II, 87 Tier III).
• Clinical signs included locomotory problems (stiffness, difficulty rising) and dysphagia (drooling, eating difficulties).
• Elevated CK levels and lymphohistiocytic myositis were observed in most affected dogs.

Conclusions:

• A likely heritable inflammatory myopathy is present in the Dutch Kooiker dog breed.
• Further studies are required to classify the myopathy, explore treatments, and determine the genetic cause for eradication.