title: Dermatomyositis-like disease in a Rottweiler.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Canine dermatomyositis is a hereditary disease described in collies and Shetland sheep dogs and their cross-breeds. A similar disease, called dermatomyositis-like disease, has been described occasionally in other breeds but never in the Rottweiler.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report on the clinicopathological findings associated with dermatomyositis-like disease in a Rottweiler.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 7-month-old female Rottweiler was referred for dermatological abnormalities, regurgitation and weakness. Cutaneous abnormalities included alopecia, crusting and scaling on the inner surface of the pinnae, the tip of the tail, periorbital and perilabial skin. The dog also presented onychogryphosis and onychalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, thoracic radiographs, electromyography, nerve-conduction studies and skin and muscle biopsies were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Megaoesophagus, pneumonia, ischaemic dermatopathy and generalized myositis were documented. The final diagnosis was dermatomyositis-like disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report of dermatomyositis-like disease in a Rottweiler.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bresciani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fracassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 8, 43126, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cantile
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abramo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary