Dermatomyositis is a heritable condition seen in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs. It is also seen in children.
This condition is an inflammatory condition of the skin (face, ears, tail, legs) and muscles. The exact cause is unknown, but genetics, are a factor - it is reported to be an autosomal dominant gene in Collies*. Other possible factors that may play a role in this disease (in combination with genetics); environment, infectious agents, and chemicals.
For more on Canine
Genetics, please see:
"It's
all in the genes" - from CanisMajor.com
For more on Collies,
please see:
Breed Info - Collies
For more on Shetland
Sheepdogs, please see:
Breed
Info - Shetland Sheepdog
For more on dog
and cat breeds, please see:
Cat, Dog & Horse
breeds - From VetMed
Cats @ About.com
Dogs @ About.com
For more on Human
Dermatomyositis, please see:
Dermatomyositis
- histopathology
"Facts
About Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis (PM/DM)" - from the Muscular
Dystrophy Association
*From Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th edition, p. 606
<-- Return to the beginning of this quiz
