Meet Chico, my Labrador with Centronuclear Myopathy

This is Chico, also known as Chief. Chico is a Labrador Retriever, and at first glance he looks like the picture-perfect example of the breed. Isnt he so handsome??

But unfortunately Chico is affected by a genetic disorder in purebred Labs called centronuclear myopathy (CNM). CNM has gone by many names since its appearance in the 1970s, most commonly Muscular Myopathy of the Labrador, but also muscular dystrophy, myotonia, generalized muscle weakness, polyneuropathy, and hereditary myopathy.

Generally, dogs with CNM seem normal as young pups, but may grow slower and be lazier than the other pups in the litter. Around 3-5 months of age, the dog will start to show definite signs of the disease. The symptoms are bunny-hopping, walking differently, stumbling and falling often, and in the worst cases, inability to hold up their head. They also have difficulty swallowing, and sometimes inhale or choke on their food. The symptoms never go away or get better. Luckily Chicos case in particular is fairly mild, but if you look closely you can see how it has affected him.

In these pictures, you can see that he doesnt lie on his back legs, but rather with them sprawled off to one side. You can clearly see that he is missing a lot of muscle mass in his back legs.

Its also pronounced in his chest, as you can see in these pictures. With centronuclear myopathy the skeletal muscle fibers dont develop properly. Since the missing muscle fibers will never develop, you cant just beef up a dog with this condition with exercise and a high-protein diet, or give a dog any medication to make it go away. There is no cure for CNM; the only good thing is that the condition stabilizes after a short time.

Sadly, most dogs with CNM are put to sleep. But as you can see, Chico has a mild case, and loves to romp around in the snow (despite being from Alabama!) He does tire easily, so we have to take short walks. Take a look at how he walks on his back legs. You can see here how different this is from a dog without CNM. Because of the way he walks, he has huge calluses on his back legs.

This genetic disorder is now 100% preventable through a simple DNA test to see if a breeding dog is a carrier of CNM. It takes two carriers to produce offspring with the disease, so careful breeding is essential! (And actually, Im personally an advocate for Dont breed or buy while unwanted pets die.) Since there is no cure for this 100% preventable condition, we should do absolutely everything in our power to protect Americas most popular breed and not allow CNM puppies to ever even be born. Please, tell anyone you may know that breeds labs about this video. Send this video to anyone considering getting a lab puppy. Shoot, send this video to anybody who loves dogs.

This video was produced to promote awareness of centronuclear myopathy of the Labrador retriever, for those that work with animals that may not be familiar with CNM, for the sake of pet owners who have no idea what is wrong with their precious baby, and in honor of Chiefs first owner whom we wish a safe return from Iraq. Thank you.

You can find out more about this disease at
www.labradorcnm.com

"Seriously Lighthearted" composed and performed by me.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• centronuclear
• myopathy
• muscular
• of
• the
• labrador
• retriever
• generalized
• muscle
• weakness
• myotonia
• polyneuropathy
• hereditary

[MarshmellowKitty1231]

He's perfect just the way he is. He's is a blessing. :)

[lisasimpson]

@MarshmellowKitty1231 Thank you so much for your kind words! He has taught me so much about keeping on the sunny side of life, for sure. I need to do an update, he's been doing so great, he's stronger than in this video now!

[Bleachdude1199]

i had a lab called chico but unfortunatley died last year:( (TRUE STORY).

[lisasimpson]

@Bleachdude1199 I am so sorry for your loss. You have excellent taste in both names and dogs.

[sherribrntt]

that is so sad

[lisasimpson]

@sherribrntt He has no idea there's anything wrong, so he's good. What's sad is that people knowingly breed messed-up puppies.

[zacharynorton9]

I have a lab ):

[sqweebel]

wheres ur laboratory?

[natnatfitfit12]

My dog looks like that, but she doesn't show any signs of symptoms (she's 3 years of age now). Very playful, but she is......different. In personality, that is. A funny unique different.