Muscle Spasm

[rervin11]

Hi - My boxer has developes uncontrollable muscle spasms while he is resting.  6 mo ago he had some internal trauma to the GI track (still have yet to be determined what happend), but he was put in zantac and flagyl for generic infections to the GI track.  He was passing digested blood in some good quantity.  Nevertheless - since then he has appeared to have twitching/muscle spasms that are concentrated to his chest region, front legs and can be seen in his back legs as well.  Normally it appeared to follow the respritory breathing pattern, but has gotten worse over time.  We have has blood testing done and it was initially thought the he might have an underactive thyroid, but that came out negative.  There is nothing in the bloodstream that would indicate a problem, but like I say, while he calms down and begins to rest, it is as if there is an uncontrollable spasm for his chest/shoulder muscles.  It does not appear to be painful, but definately noticable.  I forgot to mention he is going on 6 yrs old and in good shape 65-68 pounds for a male boxer.  I don't know what to do.  I can send video as well.  The vet asked for one as well.  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

If you could list the link I can take a look at the video.  They won't let us list our emails.

[rervin11]

Oh - I forgot to mention that his coat seems to be slightly duller/coarser recently.  I was hoping it may be an electrolyte imbalance, but none of that showed abnormal on the bloodwork.

[rervin11]

Thanks for the imput.  I would like to email you the video (14meg) to review if possible.  Our vet thinks it may be related to some irregularity in the heart patterns.  He has some heart arrhythmia, but nothing that doesn't seem in the normal range for pets of his breed/age.  Could this be somehow related to the GI system at all?  He historically has had issues in the past, specifically with shots/stress, etc...  It is almost immediate after he lays down (not specific to a particular side).  If you snap, or make him stand, the spasms subside.  If he is alert for any reason (his second job of actively guarding the house), there is no issue.  Thanks for the input.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There are quite a few causes of muscle tremors.  These can include myositis,  intervertebral disk disease, tetanus, strychnine and other poisoning, neurological disorders, exertional rhabdomyolysis, primary skeletal muscle tumors (benign or malignant),  and metabolic diseases.

There is a possibility that they are not muscle tremors at all, but are a kind of unusual seizure activity, that is probably why your vet requested a video tape.  

Maybe you could send a link for the video to us?  Maybe we can help further.