Biopsies of muscles and nerves may be taken as part of the diagnostic testing process for animals with neuromuscular weakness.

 

Small pieces of muscle, or a small section of nerve, are surgically removed and submitted to a laboratory with the capability of performing a series of particular tests to help determine the cause of the disease.

 

Examples of diseases that may require nerve or muscle biopsy include:

 

Masticatory Muscle Myositis

Muscular Dystrophy

Neospora or Toxoplasma Muscle Infection

Chronic Relapsing Polyneuropathy of Cats

Lymphoma of the Peripheral Nervous System