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Welcome to the Companion Animal Diagnostics Section of the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratories. This laboratory is dedicated
to the diagnosis and study of spontaneous neuromuscular diseases in companion animals. Specialized testing performed in this laboratory
includes complete histopathological, histochemical, and ultrastructural evaluation of muscle and peripheral nerve biopsy specimens. Serological
assays include acetylcholine receptor antibody by radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemical detection of antibodies against masticatory
muscle type 2M fibers and muscle striations. Immunohistochemistry for dystrophin, dystrophin associated proteins, and laminins are performed
in collaboration with Dr. Eva Engvall of the Burnham Institute, La Jolla, CA. Testing for metabolic diseases related to inborn metabolic
errors is performed in collaboration with the Biochemical Genetics Laboratory at UCSD. The Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory is directed
by G. Diane Shelton DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine). Dr. Shelton has spent more than 17 years in the study of neuromuscular
disorders and has over 150 publications on neuromuscular diseases relevant to veterinary and human medicine.
