Maui is a 1 year old Labrador Retriever. He was diagnosed at 5 months old with Centrilobular Myopathy. This is a hereditary myopathy of Labrador Retrievers resulting from a mutation in the genes.

Signs of Centrilobular Myopathy include generalized loss of muscle tone and control, exercise intolerance, and an awkward gait. Signs of muscle weakness start to occur from 6 weeks up to 7 months of age, and usually progress slowly in severity until approximately 1 year of age when the condition stabilises.

With adequate care, dogs can live a normal lifespan, although they will have periodic muscle weakness and fatigue.

Diagnosis is challenging because the clinical signs are variable. A veterinarian can collect muscle tissue samples under anaesthesia and have them assessed for abnormalities. A DNA test can genetically detect inherited myopathy in Labrador retrievers.

Maui is on a muscle relaxant which helps stabilise his muscle weakness and allows him to continue with his life.

He is the sweetest boy with a great character. We absolutely love him