HEREDITARY MYOPATHY OF DEVON REX CATS

Six closely related Devon rex cats afflicted with a congenital muscle disease were investigated over a three-year period. Physical findings included passive ventroflexion of the head and neck, dorsal protrusion of the scapulae, megaoesophagus, generalised appendicular weakness and fatigability. Signs became evident at three to 23 weeks of age and then usually progressed slowly or remained static. Plasma levels of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were not elevated. Histological examination of tissues from affected cats showed changes indicative of a primary myopathy, with neither nerve nor spinal cord involvement. Four of the six cats died suddenly of laryngospasm after obstruction of the pharynx or larynx with food.