Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord and brain. There are several forms of meningitis that dogs can get. Below you will find out how meningitis in dogs occurs, what the symptoms are and what is required to treat the disease.
Key facts at a glance
- There are different forms of meningitis.
- The most common triggers are viruses, parasites or bacteria.
- The symptoms are very unpleasant for the dog and often vary in severity.
- The dog must be presented to the veterinarian.
- With early treatment, the prognosis is good. If the disease is advanced and left untreated, it can be fatal.
Possible causes of meningitis in dogs
Meningitis in dogs can have different causes. Possible triggers include, for example, an infection with viruses, parasites or bacteria. For example, it is possible for your dog to contract TBE from the bite of an infected tick, which can lead to meningitis, among other things. In addition, however, chemical pollutants can also be considered as a cause.
The most common form of meningitis that occurs in dogs is what is known as sterile suppurative meningitis arteritis (SRMA). The exact trigger for this is not yet known. It is assumed that a combination of various factors, including genetic defects and malfunctioning of the immune system, leads to SRMA.
Sterile purulent meningitis arteritis occurs mainly in young dogs up to 18 months of age. Although in principle any dog can contract it, there is an increased risk in certain breeds. These include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Weimaraners, Boxers, Beagles, German Shorthaired Pointers and Jack Russell Terriers.
Symptoms of meningitis in dogs
Regardless of the exact cause, the symptoms experienced by a dog with meningitis are always the same. The symptoms can vary in severity and sometimes only occur sporadically.
The following symptoms are typical of meningitis in dogs:
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- A stiff gait with your head down
- Ataxia (coordination disorders)
- Tenderness in the cervical spine
- signs of paralysis
- visual disturbances
- exhaustion
- restlessness and aggressiveness
- disorientation
- High fever
- seizures
Diagnosis of meningitis in dogs
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from meningitis, you should consult a veterinarian immediately. Meningitis is a serious matter and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
However, making a diagnosis is usually difficult. First, the veterinarian will examine the general condition of the animal and check to what extent the symptoms of meningitis mentioned can be determined.
To diagnose sterile suppurative meningitis arteritis, it is necessary to test the dog’s blood for certain values, such as the white blood cell count. With the help of antibody detection, the veterinarian can examine the dog for infectious diseases such as TBE. In addition, a cerebrospinal fluid sample may be required to diagnose meningitis. An X-ray of the cervical spine and an MRI of the head are sometimes also done.
Treating meningitis in dogs
The treatment of your dog’s meningitis depends on the exact form and its cause. This is important because the wrong medication can very easily lead to a significant worsening of the clinical picture.
For example, if it is the sterile purulent meningitis arteritis that is particularly common in dogs, corticosteroids such as prednisolone must be administered over several months. Since prednisolone weakens the dog’s defenses, the therapy should also be accompanied by antibiotics.
If it is bacterial meningitis, the sick dog is usually treated with antibiotics, which must be administered in very high doses. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat your dog’s meningitis, and anti-epileptic drugs can be used in the event of seizures.
Prognosis for dogs with meningitis
The chances of recovery depend above all on when meningitis is detected in your dog and how severe the symptoms are at this point in time. If therapy is started early, the prognosis is usually good.
If the meningitis has already caused significant signs of failure, the treatment of the affected dog is often unsuccessful and ends fatally in many cases
Tips for owners of dogs with meningitis
Meningitis is an immense burden for your dog and is associated with severe pain. Therefore, if your four-legged friend has meningitis, you should do your best to support him. Make sure you get enough rest and show your dog that you are there for him by stroking him regularly. That alleviates the suffering of the animal at least a little.
covers the treatment costs
Of course, you will incur costs for the treatment of your dog’s meningitis. Because both the examinations by the veterinarian and the medication required for healing cost money. The therapy of bacterial meningitis in particular is not only time-consuming but also expensive.
In order to protect yourself from high veterinary bills in the future, it makes sense to take out dog health insurance. This not only covers most of the treatment costs for meningitis, but also pays, for example, if your dog has to undergo an expensive operation.
Calculate your insurance premium today and send us the application for your dog insurance directly online.