Anyone know of masticatory myositis in cats?

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Sadly Meia has passed to the Bridge

[Amanda (mad4moggies)]

I have not heard of masticatory myositis in a cat before but i guess that doesn`t mean it isn`t that. Like you have already said dogs tend to respond well to the steroid treatment. You would have to speak to your vet but i am pretty sure the steroid dose could be increased and should probably be given for longer. Steroids must always be weaned off and never just stopped suddenly. It does make you wonder if it is MM if she has not responded already.

The best way forward may well be referral to a specialist. I work at one of these centres myself and they would more than likely be able to get to the bottom of this problem for Meia. Obviously the cost can be an issue as the consult can cost around £200. The only other thing i can suggest is that you ask your vets to phone a specialist who will be able to give advice over the phone. It will not be the same as they will not have seen Meia but they would be able to list possible causes, steroid doses and maybe answer other questions you may have.

It may be something that can be sorted although i would think that xrays may be required to see what is happening.

Hope to hear from you soon regarding how things are going.

[heather sullivan]

Might be worth contacting Celia Hammond Clinic in New Cross, SE14 as they deal with  lots of elderly cats there and isn’t just a money making practice?
http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=17&MMN_position=24:24

or the royal vet college in Euston?

http://www.rvc.ac.uk/BAH/Contact.cfm

I would have thought treatment with high dose steroids would be worth a try as it is an immune system problem?

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Its such a sad situation and really feel for you 

I have looked at that link Helen and dont know if its an american site but Napoleon was put on a feeding tube in his last 12 hours and it wasnt anything like that................I was horrified how it was and would never have allowed it if I had known and also that his kidney levels had shot right up again.   

[MsB]

Sorry to have to welcome you to Purrs at such a worrying time  I too have never heard of it and a search of this site shows it's never been posted about before, only in your post.

I know the diagnosis was made by a second vet but have you considered taking her to a specialist/Royal Veterinary college? Roughly wherabouts in the UK are you?

If the condition is something that can be fixed then it may be worth asking your vet his thoughts on having a feeding tube inserted to help keep her nutrition/fluid levels up while she undergoes treatment, obviously if she had a limited time left with you due to this condition then it's probably not something you'd want to consider but worth asking your vet about  http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes

I am in London. Specialist referral was mentioned. However, I feel not only would it be putting her under more stress, but there is also the cost aspect (spent nearly £500 just with the tests and op, meds etc so far). Given her age and weakened condition through not now having had a 'normal' cat size meal for more than 2 weeks, I don't think it would be right. It's just so hard not knowing what to do for the best. At least I feel I have given her a chance by not having her put to sleep 10 days ago, and done my best. Doesn't make it any easier though 

[MsB]

Thanks, Gill.

Her name is Meia - one of four I have, all 15-plus.

My vet had never seen it before, not in a cat anyway. And even the second vet was at a bit of a loss, but said that it *could* be this as all the symptoms of this myositis fit the bill. However, on reading about it in dogs, many seem to show improvement once drug treatment has started; sadly, not the case here.

She does not appear in pain or distressed, though not being able to groom and eat properly must be uncomfortable. I don't think she is too impressed with my face washing attempts either! 

[Tiggy's Mum]

Sorry to have to welcome you to Purrs at such a worrying time  I too have never heard of it and a search of this site shows it's never been posted about before, only in your post.

I know the diagnosis was made by a second vet but have you considered taking her to a specialist/Royal Veterinary college? Roughly wherabouts in the UK are you?

If the condition is something that can be fixed then it may be worth asking your vet his thoughts on having a feeding tube inserted to help keep her nutrition/fluid levels up while she undergoes treatment, obviously if she had a limited time left with you due to this condition then it's probably not something you'd want to consider but worth asking your vet about  http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have never heard of this and just done a search and sounds like lock jaw. As you say the references are to dogs and it says its very painful.

For a dog the last stage seems to be where your cat is now where the mouth cannot be opened under GA and it spreads to the throat.

I dont like referring to your cat, what is her name?

I dont know if Teresa has ever heard of this   as she has been in rescue a long time and initially with dogs.

Sadly the prognosis doesnt sound good and am sending all the best wishes for your cat 

[MsB]

Hi

Does anyone have any knowledge of masticatory myositis in cats, or had experience of?

My 17/18 (a rescue 14 years ago - age indeterminate!) year old cat has been diagnosed with masticatory myositis. Though that diagnosis only came via a second vet opinion as the symptoms fitted. She cannot open her mouth, even when they tried under anaesthesia, and can just barely lap liquid with her tongue on one side. She has been on 2mg prednisone for a week, but with no change.

Obviously she can't groom (nor obviously miaow, yawn etc.), so I have to help her, as well as wash her face (very messy!). I have tried all sorts of mushy food (at the moment she is only really eating a little condensed chicken soup, and fish paste!), as well as Liquivite (she wasn't very keen), and I am now at my wits' end.

At times she seems quite happy, purring etc. and at others I look at her and think maybe it is kinder to let her go. The vet did phone me whilst she was under anaesthesia and they found they couldn't open her mouth at all, her jaws were locked rigid, and ask whether they wanted me to bring her round or let them put her to sleep then. That was 10 days ago. I refused and went in the next day to see her, and she looked surprisingly bright and alert. That was when I started hunting around for a second opinion and we got this myositis condition. My vet was willing to try her on prednisone, but there has still been no change.

I was wondering if anyone knew if there was anything else that could be done? Should prednisone dosage be higher? The online references to this condition all seem to refer to dogs with it too, not cats.

I have to take her back in tomorrow for a check, but am at the moment fearing things don't look good. I am sure she has lost more weight, despite my 4 x a day attempts to get food in her.

Any suggestions/help/advice would be much appreciated.