Inflammatory Myopathy (Myositis) in the Dutch Shepherd is a severe, progressive neuromuscular disease that results in weakness, muscle atrophy and an inability to walk. Affected dogs present between the ages of 3 and 9 months with progressively developing muscle weakness and atrophy. Due to the severe and progressive nature of the disease, euthanasia is likely to be necessary by the age of 2 years.
Inflammatory Myopathy in the Dutch Shepherd is caused by a recessive mutation and can be tested with CombiBreed DNA test H867 or as part of the CombiBreed package for the Dutch Shepherd with test number H518.
