Ayurvedic Treatment For Masticatory Muscle Myositis In Dogs
ABSTRACT
Masticatory muscle myositis is an immune system disorder in dogs where their body’s own immune system recognizes their own muscle tissues as foreign and attacks them. Chewing is facilitated by masticatory muscles and myositis results in inflammation and swelling of these muscles also causing pain in them. Dogs suffer excruciating pain when they open their mouth which makes chewing, eating or picking up things really difficult or impossible for them. In this article you can get all the information about Masticatory muscle myositis in dogs and its herbal treatment.
INTRODUCTION
Masticatory muscle myositis is characterized by agonizing pain in the jaw causing inability to open it. It is an inflammatory myopathy in which an autoimmune phenomenon in the body of dogs results in circulating antibodies that targets the masticatory muscles. In dogs there are not seen any other neurological or physical abnormalities that makes it easy to differentiate from any other cause of trismus. In some dogs there is predisposition to develop autoimmune diseases. However there can be certain triggers which can initiate the disease in dogs like stress, vaccination, viral or bacterial infections, reaction to specific medicines, exposure to allergens, and environmental toxins. But in many cases of Masticatory muscle myositis the trigger factor is not known.
AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
As per Ayurveda, diseases occur due to imbalance of any of three doshas, i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Similarly, myositis occurs due to the imbalance of doshas along with the building up of ama (endotoxin) in the body. This ama is responsible for the autoimmune conditions.
BREEDS THAT ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS THAN OTHERS
Masticatory muscle myositis or MMM can affect any breed and any gender male or female. Dogs suffering from MMM are expected to live 3 years but with correct treatment and early diagnosis this time can be increased. However there are certain breeds which gets affected more commonly than others like Golden retrievers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, Labrador retrievers, Large breed dogs, Cavalier king Charles spaniels and Weimaraners.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
Dogs suffering from MMM are usually seen with following signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- Painful swelling of masseter and temporalis muscles
- Lymphadenopathy
- Difficulty in opening jaw due to pain
- Muscle atrophy of masseter and temporalis is seen as the disease progresses
- Ocular discomfort
- Third eyelids protrusion
CAUSE OF MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system attacks the tissues of masticatory muscles. The exact cause is not known, however there are certain triggering factors that have been discussed previously.
DIAGNOSIS OF THE MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
Clinical signs and symptoms help in diagnosis of the MMM. Dog is not able to open its mouth hence cannot eat or hold his toys. However there is the need to rule out other causes of pain and muscle wastage. There are certain blood tests which will show the presence of circulating antibodies which attack the muscle fibers.
TREATMENT FOR MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
Conventional treatment for MMM in dogs includes prescription of corticosteroids and anti inflammatory drugs. Immunosuppressive drug specifically Prednisone is given for a long time. However there are many chances of remission of the disease. There are many side effects of Prednisone like excessive thirst, excessive hunger and increased urination due to increased water intake.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
The main aim of Ayurvedic treatment for MMM is elimination of ama from the body and balancing of the tridosha. There are many herbs which have therapeutic effects not only on humans but dogs as well. When they are administered to the suffering dogs, these herbs balance the tridosha and restore the health to a certain extent (depending upon the severity of the disease).
HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR MASTICATORY MUSCLE MYOSITIS
Planet Ayurveda is a famous Ayurvedic pharmaceutical company that deals in production of herbal remedies which are used not only to treat humans but animals as well. All the herbal products are full of authentic herbs that are pure and free from chemicals, preservatives, dye, additives, fillers, colors or yeast. These remedies are also purely vegetarian. Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies for MMM in dogs that help in treating and managing the condition naturally.
PRODUCTS LIST
- Yograj Guggul
- Joint Aid Plus
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Brahmi Capsule
- Coral Calcium Complex
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Yograj Guggul
It is formulated using Shuddh guggul (Commiphora mukul), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), Pippali (Piper longum), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum) etc. Yograj guggul helps in relieving complaints like pain in the jaw and provides strength to muscles along with treating the numbness and tingling sensation in extremities (if present).
Dosage: Give 2 tablets twice daily with or after meals.
2. Joint Aid Plus
These are the multi herbal capsules which are prepared from various amazing medicinal herbs like Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Sonth (Zingiber officinale). Joint aid plus as the name implies gives strength to the joints and relieves pain and inflammation in them. It helps in treating any type of ailments of joints.
Dosage: Give 2 capsules twice daily with or after meals.
3. Boswellia Curcumin
Two amazing herbs i.e. Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and haridra (Curcuma longa) are used in the preparation of Boswellia curcumin capsules. It helps in treating pain and signs of inflammation and also boosts the immunity.
Dosage: Give 2 capsules twice daily with or after meals.
4. Brahmi Capsule
These amazing herbal capsules are prepared from standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) which is very well known for its neuroprotective properties. Brahmi capsules help in preventing damage to the brain and spinal cord, helps in maintaining muscle coordination.
Dosage: Give 2 capsules twice daily with or after meals.
5. Coral Calcium Complex
It is prepared from Praval pishti (coral), Akik pishti (Agate), Jawar mohra pishti (An Ayurvedic calcium compound), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Mukta pishti (pearl) and Kamdudha ras. It helps in providing the natural form of calcium to the body without causing any side effects. It also helps to maintain healthy nerves, cardiovascular system and muscles.
Dosage: Give 2 capsules twice daily with or after meals.
CONCLUSION
Your dog can get rid of this agonizing disease with the help of herbal remedies. These remedies also prevent the remission of the complaints. Early diagnosis and correct treatment can help in improving the overall health of your fur friend.
