ACQUIRED MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN DOG – CASE REPORT

Abstract

Neuromuscular diseases are uncommon in the clinical routine of dogs and cats and their diagnosis is a challenge for the veterinarian. Thus, this paper reports the clinical diagnosis and established therapy in a four-year-old female without a defined breed with a history of ataxia and tetraparesis, especially after exercise. Due to the history and clinical signs presented, acquired myasthenia gravis was suspected and the therapeutic diagnosis was chosen using anticholinesterase neostigmine, for being simpler, faster and more accessible. The patient presented a significant improvement in clinical status after administration of neostigmine intramuscularly, returning to normal ambulatory activity after administration of the drug intravenously, thus making possible the diagnosis of the disease. Treatment was instituted using pyridostigmine bromide associated with corticosteroid in a immunosuppressive dose for a period of six months, observing complete remission of the clinical signs without recurrences until the present moment.