Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome in the Dog Breed Gammel Dansk Hønsehund: Clinical, Electrophysiological, Pharmacological and Immunological Comparison with Acquired Myasthenia gravis

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The effect of anticholinesterase drugs on the clinical and electrophysiological features in a canine congenital myasthenic syndrome is compared with findings in acquired myasthenia gravis in dogs. Anticholinesterase treatment had no effect on muscle weakness or electrophysiological parameters in the congenital myasthenic syndrome in contrast to its effect on clinical signs and electrophysiological parameters in acquired myasthenia gravis. The lack of effect of anticholinesterase in congenital myasthenia suggests a presynaptic defect as the aetiological factor. No antibodies to acetylcholine receptors were found in the Danish dog breed Gammel Dansk Hønsehund with the myasthenic syndrome. This classifies the disease in the group of canine and human congenital myasthenic diseases.