My dog has masticatory myositis...long story short, his blood test was negative for 2m antibodies and I refuse to have him sedated for a muscle biopsy. The neurologist won't treat him without the biopsy. My regular vet will, but is not sure how to treat him - because he's diabetic, he should not take steroids. He's posted in the vet forums and gotten no response yet.
The first time this disease showed itself was late in 2006. His muscles atrophied in his head and jaw, eyes were sunken, jaw locked shut, dropped from 120 lbs to 85lbs, though he was eating, and couldn't stand up on his own. 3 different vets and a canine oral surgeon were unable to diagnose him. I've been searching for an anwer ever since. After 2 months of this, his jaw suddenly unlocked one sunday morning. he was standing up by himself again, and had started to regain muscle tone. Shortly after he was diagnosed with bronchitis. He's been fine ever since, weighing about 100 lbs, until recently.
About a month ago, I noticed his ears were hanging far back again and his eyes were sunken. He has now lost all muscle in his head and jaw, and again looks like a skull with fur. We saw the neurologist on Nov 4, then waited 2 weeks for blood test results to be negative. meanwhile, he was weighed at about 92 lbs a week ago, and as of 2 days ago his rib cage is now showing. He is eating normally. He swims once a week at the dog hydrotherapy pool, which i'm convinced is why his back legs have not yet been affected. His jaw is popping constantly, but has not locked shut yet.
My vet doesn't know how to treat masticatory myositis in a diabetic dog without damaging his liver. He and I agreed I should consult a hollistic vet. Unfortunately, she can't see us until Nov 23. I am desperate! What can I give him to help fix his achy lack of muscles? I know he sounds like a decrepit old thing, the way I describe him, but I promise you, he's not! Any herbal supplements I can give him to help him?