Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy · Ullrich-type muscular dystrophy · COL6A3 muscular dystrophy · Collagen VI-deficient muscular dystrophy · Ullrich-Kongenitale Muskeldystrophie
This is an inherited muscle disorder caused by a genetic defect in collagen VI, which is a structural protein essential for holding muscle cells together. Without this properly functioning protein, the muscle tissue becomes unstable and progressively wastes away. This primarily damages the musculoskeletal system, leading to permanent muscle loss.
Symptoms usually appear in puppies or young dogs. Owners will typically notice progressive muscle weakness, abnormal joint mobility, and increasing difficulty with basic movements like standing or walking.
This condition is incurable, requiring lifelong palliative care, physiotherapy, and pain management to maintain quality of life. Managing this progressive disease involves ongoing veterinary care with expected lifetime costs ranging from 2,500 to 8,000 EUR.
Estimated range of typical treatment cost. Actual cost depends on severity, clinic and region.
More conditions affecting the General / metabolic.