Masticatory Muscle Myositis in Dogs Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Abstract

Masticatory muscle myositis is an auto-immune disorder which is mainly caused by bacterial or viral infection, environmental toxins, reaction of some medicines, due to stress, due to contact with allergens and in this condition, masticatory muscles become painful and swollen. The main function of the Masticatory muscles is chewing. The dogs which are affected with masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) cannot open their mouth to eat and also found difficulty in chewing. The disease may occur in any type of breed and in male and female both. This disease is also known as Atrophic Myositis or Eosinophilic Myositis. Let’s discuss the disease in detail!!!!!

Masticatory muscle myositis mostly affects the breeds that are Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, German shepherds, and King Charles spaniels. The dogs who are suffering from this disease do not show other physical or neurological abnormalities. Basically in this condition type 2 M muscle fibers are affected. Both male and female dogs can be affected by this disease and it mainly occurs at 3 years of age. This is some common introduction about Masticatory Muscle Myositis, let’s discuss this condition in detail. 

1. Acute Stage: This stage is characterized by trismus, jaw pain and swelling. In the acute stage of the MMM, glucocorticoids produce rapid resolution.

2. Chronic Stage: The stage is mainly characterized by marked muscle atrophy. In chronic MMM glucocorticoid therapy may improve jaw mobility.

Following are some of the causes of Masticatory Muscle Myositis

Early symptoms of Masticatory Muscle Myositis includes (In the acute stage)

The dogs with Masticatory muscle Myositis are mainly treated with corticosteroids, immuno-suppressive drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs. In immuno-suppressive drugs, prednisone is the first choice given (and prednisone has side effects like excessive thirst, hunger, etc). When the disease progresses into a chronic stage then immuno-suppressive drugs like Azathioprine are added.

In Ayurveda, Diseases of animals comes under the category of Pashu chikitsa.  Masticatory Muscle Myositis is co-related with the imbalance of Tridosha’s (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) with the formation of ama. When tridoshas aggravate with ama (endotoxin) and are located in M3 muscles it leads to Masticatory muscle Myositis. Ama formation is one of the most important causes of autoimmune condition. So in Ayurvedic management, mainly Ama elimination is to be done along with herbs that help in providing symptomatic relief. Herbs useful in this condition are Brahmi, ashwagandha, shunthi, haridra, shallaki, etc. With these herbs various remedies are prepared by Planet Ayurveda that can be used in managing Masticatory Muscle Myositis, so let’s have a look!!!!

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified herbal company which offers pure natural herbal remedies for Masticatory Muscle Myositis. As we know that the disease Masticatory muscle Myositis is related with Tridoshas ie. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha along with the progression of ama. Ama is the most causative factor in the development of this disease, so all these herbal remedies help in managing the disease by eliminating Ama Dosha and balancing tridosha. All remedies are pure and devoid of any kind of synthetic materials like gums, resins, fillers, colors, etc. These products are formulated under MD. Ayurveda experts so there is no need to worry about the product quality. So if your dog is suffering from this condition you must help your dog in improving his quality of life with these herbal medications.

Brahmi capsules are single herbal capsule formulations of Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardized extract of the herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). This herb consists ofneuroprotective properties and helps in maintaining the health of the brain. Acharya Charka has explained Brahmi in one of the four Medhya rasayana (keeps the brain healthy). Vata balancing properties of Brahmi helps in improving the functioning of the masticatory muscles and prevents the further paralysis of these muscles.

Joint Aid Plus is one of the polyherbal capsule formulations of Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardized extract of herbs such as ie. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) and Shallaki (Boswellia serrata). The formulation gives strength to the bones, and reduces pain and swelling in the masticatory muscles. These capsules prevent the degeneration of the bones that are associated with the affected muscles.

Coral Calcium Complex is prepared with standardized extract of Mukta pishti (Pearl), Praval pishti (Coral), Akik pishti (Agate), Guduchi (Giloy satva), and some others. This formulation by Planet Ayurveda helps in maintaining the calcium levels of the body and also provides strength to bones associated with Masticatory muscle. If bones associated with Masticatory Muscles remain healthy then they can support the muscles as well. 

Yograj Guggul is one of the classical Ayurvedic formulations used since ancient times to manage various health concerns. The formulation is made up of Talisa patra (Abies webbiana), Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala), Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), Shuddh guggul (Commiphora mukul), and various others. Mainly this formulation shows great anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties thus helps in relieving pain and inflammation in this condition. So this formulation helps in relieving pain that occurs in the jaw, decreases numbness and tingling sensation in extremities, provides strength to the muscles, and eliminates ama accumulation in the body.

Boswellia Curumin is a capsule formulation made up of standardized extract of herbs shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa) by Planet Ayurveda. This formulation gives relief from pain and inflammation as well as eliminates ama dosha from the body. As we studied earlier the symptoms of this condition include Lethargy, Stiffness in muscles, Difficulty while swallowing, etc. These capsules are effective in reducing all these symptoms and help in easy movement of Masticatory Muscles.

This disease is an auto-immune disorder in which various causative factor are involved ie. Bacterial or fungal etc. Initially, the disease is manageable but, if you don’t provide any treatment to your dog, the disease may progress to the chronic stage. You just have to provide proper and effective diagnosis and treatment for your pet. Don’t worry, all the herbal remedies which are described here, are really very effective in Masticatory muscle Myositis which balances tridosha and eliminates Ama dosha from the body that are the main causative factors as per Ayurveda.