Inflammatory myopathies.

Inflammatory myopathies are the result of infiltration of inflammatory cells into striated muscle, with or without an association with an underlying cause. Two broad classifications are IIMs and secondary inflammatory myopathies associated with other diseases. Standard diagnostic criteria for inflammatory myopathy include the presence of weakness or loss of specific muscle group function, an increase in CK, EMG changes associated with muscle membrane instability, and histologic evidence of inflammation. Not all these criteria, however, must be present. Fresh-frozen biopsy from two proximal muscles is recommended for biopsy confirmation. IIM can either focally affect head or neck muscles or be more diffuse. MMM is an immune-mediated disease characterized by a humoral antibody produced against the unique type IIM and type I variant mvofibers of masticatory muscles of dogs, which causes inflammation and loss of function of the muscles of mastication. Idiopathic polymyositis can affect focal muscle groups (extraocular, laryngeal) or present as multifocal or diffuse involvement of skeletal muscle in the cat and dog. Familial canine DM is an inflammatory disease of the striated muscle, skin, and vasculature in young Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), and, rarely, Collie-crossbred dogs. Immunosuppressive therapy is the key to successful treatment. Protozoal parasitic myopathies are the most common cause of clinically relevant secondary inflammatory myopathies. The degree of systemic involvement is often the limiting factor to successful treatment. Early recognition of the clinical signs for proper diagnostic testing and institution of appropriate therapy can result in a rewarding outcome in treating inflammatory myopathies in the cat and dog.