Effect of electromyography on serum creatine kinase values in clinically normal dogs and horses.

The research article evaluates the impact of needle electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic technique for muscle assessment, on serum creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme indicative of muscle damage, in healthy dogs and horses. It elucidates that most healthy animals do not showcase abnormally elevated serum CK activity post EMG, though there are minor temporary increases in CK values.

Methods and Sample Group

• The study was conducted on a group of 16 animals: 8 dogs (of both sexes) and 8 female horses, all of which were clinically healthy.
• Electromyography, a diagnostic procedure that records the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles, was performed and subsequent changes in serum creatine kinase values were inspected.
• Serum CK, a marker of muscle damage, was measured before the procedure and at various time intervals (4, 24, and 48 hours) post EMG.

Results and Observations

• Apart from one 24-hour sample from a dog, all other samples did not exhibit abnormal increase in serum CK activity following EMG.
• The mean values for both dogs and horses showed an increase at the 4 hour and 24 hour checkpoints but were within the normal range and returned to the baseline values by 48 hours.
• The increase in CK levels at 4 and 24 hours in dogs was statistically significant with a P-value less than 0.05, pointing towards the possible impact of EMG in causing temporary muscle damage.
• However, for horses, the increases were not found to be statistically significant.
• Most dogs and horses did not show serum CK activity above the normal range after undergoing EMG.

Conclusions

• The results indicate that needle electromyography is a relatively safe procedure that does not lead to significant long-term muscle damage, as indicated by the serum CK levels in clinically healthy dogs and horses.
• Though some temporary increase in CK values can be observed, especially in dogs, they return to baseline within 48 hours.
• This study affirms that healthy animals without neuromuscular disease do not typically showcase serum CK activity above the normal range post EMG.