Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS)
Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS)
DNA testing is available for this disease and is a required DNA test for beagles bred in the UK
Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS) is a rare genetic condition mostly found in Beagles. It affects the body’s connective tissue, which is the tissue that helps hold skin, muscles, and organs together.
For a dog to have MLS, it has to inherit this faulty gene from both parents.
Since connective tissue is found throughout the body, MLS affects several areas:
Skin: The skin becomes unusually thick and tight, making the dog feel stiff when you touch them.
Joints and muscles: The joints (especially in the legs and toes) become stiff and less flexible. Dogs often walk on their tiptoes because they can’t bend their joints properly. Muscles can look more defined because of the tight skin.
Bones: Some bones, especially the outer toes, may be shorter or shaped differently.
Face and head: Dogs with MLS often have a flat skull, wide-set eyes, and small, folded ears, giving them a unique facial appearance sometimes called a “Chinese” look.
Heart: In some cases, mild heart problems can also occur, but this isn’t always the case.
Dogs with MLS usually:
- Walk with a stiff, tiptoe gait.
- May be smaller than other Beagles.
- Can’t move their joints as easily.
References
Musladin-Lueke Syndrome in a Dogs: Case Report
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine Volume 51
A case study detailing the diagnosis and long-term follow-up of a Beagle with MLS, highlighting the progression of clinical signs over time.
Clinical Phenotype of Musladin-Lueke Syndrome in 2 Beagles
Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
This paper provides detailed clinical observations of two Beagles affected by MLS, discussing symptoms such as skin fibrosis, joint stiffness, and comparisons to similar human conditions.