Myotonia in a cocker spaniel

Abstract

A 16-week-old, male cocker spaniel suffering from pelvic-limb "bunny hopping" as well as rigidity, spasticity, and ataxia in all limbs was evaluated. The clinical features, electrophysiological abnormalities, and muscle histopathological and histochemical evaluations led to a diagnosis of congenital myotonia. Myotonia is a disorder of skeletal muscle characterized by delayed relaxation of the muscle fiber in response to voluntary, mechanical, or electrical stimulation. The pathophysiology of congenital myotonia remains controversial; currently proposed pathomechanisms are discussed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of congenital myotonia reported in a cocker spaniel.