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MMM ~ Masticatory Muscle Myositis

Jodi Silverman

New member
Please know this: If your puppy is diagnosed with MMM it is NOT a death sentence! My little girl celebrated her 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] birthday February 17[SUP]th[/SUP], 2014 and she is still with us. She’s happy and fun-loving, with an emphasis on loving! When our breeder heard the news, she immediately offered to take back the 4 month old puppy. It was too late though – we were already hopelessly and helplessly in love. She has had to endure quite a lot, as MMM nearly destroys the immune system, but with a lot of loving care and the most fantastic Veterinarian I’ve ever met, she is doing pretty well. She can’t be around other dogs as she will catch any disease or infection they carry. I never let her walk around a pet store or even the Vet’s office. She overcame an intense bout with mange mites – all dogs and cats have them, but a normal immune system deflects their ill effects easily. She can’t be taken off antibiotics, because the bacteria normal & necessary for digestion will overwhelm her body; the resulting diarrhea will dehydrate and kill her. Her diet must be bland, so I steam brown rice, mash broccoli, and add it to shredded organic chicken. So, don’t despair, but do your homework! If your Vet isn’t willing to listen to you, think “out-of-the-box” on occasion and take a few chances, find one who is. Please feel free to contact me. Having gone through this alone, I’m more than happy to help. Good luck!
 
Wonderful that you have come through so much -- and great advice! So glad you are two years along and enjoying her so much. :flwr: For anyone who suspects this condition, which uniquely occurs in cavalier puppies more than adult dogs -- the faster it is addressed with steroid therapy, the greater a chance for a recovery. This is something you want to push with any vet who is unsure of a diagnosis, or get into a specialist centre.
 
Hi Jodi

What a saga! Please could I cross-post it to the Companion Cavalier Club Facebook page? Cavalier health is one of the club's major concerns and the more we know, the better. I sometimes feel that having two Cavaliers with CM/SM seems to take over my life, but you really do have a full-time job - but with a loving, happy Cavalier at the end of it.

(y)

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
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