Hi Ann, My eldest bitch was struck with this problem at the age of 9 months. One side of her face swelled so bad she looked like an English Bull terrier because her stop completely disappeared under swelling. Aimee ended up hardly able to open her mouth and this was in just a few days. Everyone said it was a bee sting but I knew that it wasn't, so took her to the vet. The vet immediately diagnosed mastic myositis and said it was unusual in such a breed as it tended to affect bull breeds. Aimee was immediately put on a course of steroids (Prednisone) to take away the swelling, the vet said if she had been left untreated that eventually she would not have been able to open her mouth at all and she could have died. One complication can be that fibrous tissue forms which can prevent the mouth opening properly. I think this may have happened to a small degree with Aimee because she does seem to have to stretch her mouth several times before she can fully open it when yawning. That seems to be the only problem she has had and she is now 5 1/2 years old.
Anyway thats my experience, if you want to know anything else, just mail me privately. Wendy Jesterbrock Bernese Berks, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 1:49 AM Subject: masticatory myositis > Hi- I brought my boy Kerzon in to see the vet today, as I noticed muscle atrophy occurring over his eye, which is now progressing to under the cheek bone and to the other side of his head. The vet diagnosed masticatory myositis. I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this problem, or any disease that resulted in muscle atrophy around the head. My vet is not recommending any treatment at this time, and the atrophy does not seem to be bothering Kerzon at all. I obviously want to learn everything I can about this disease, and also make sure that I'm following the best course of care for this special boy. Thanks! > Ann Skinner > Tatters and Kerzon >
