Quick Facts
Also called:
Hyperkinesia
Related Topics:
dog
disease
canine
chorea
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chorea

animal disease
Also known as: hyperkinesia

chorea, in dogs, a disorder in which muscle spasms are prominent. It is usually associated with distemper, encephalitis, or other diseases and often appears during the convalescent period. Jaw spasms may interfere with eating, and extreme exhaustion follows severe episodes in which the dog cannot sleep. Treatment involves good nutrition, vitamin supplements, and sedation. Antispasmodic drugs and muscle relaxants are used to relieve the symptoms.