When we hear the word meningitis, it sends cold chills down our spine, our dear animals can also get affected by meningitis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the membrane covering the spinal cord and the brain, which is the meninges.
Other inflammation like; encephalitis which is the inflammation of the brain, and meningoencephalitis happens simultaneously providing us with a combined term known as "meningoencephalitis".
Although they all can exist individually, they are all triggered by either bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, parasites, or rickettsia.
In other situations the cause remains unknown, while sometimes, immune systems are involved, chemical changes could also cause inflammation in other situations.
The nervous system usually has protective barriers, therefore meningitis and encephalitis are not common. But when there is an injury to these protective barriers or when they are weak, infections would find their way through.
Infections can also spread to the central nervous system from the inner ear, vertebrae, or spinal discs. This infection can come from the ingestion of foreign materials like a bite, or traumatic injury close to the head or spine.
Generally, bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis is not common amongst dogs, it isn't easily contagious too, but this is not one discard the possibility of its occurrence in anoccurrenceeck pain, painful muscle spasms, fever, and rigidity are common signs look out for in the case of meningitis.
However, for meningoencephalitis, partial paralysis of the face and limbs, depression, seizures, loss of balance, loss of appetite, loss of consciousness, and head tilting can develop depending on the location of the inflammation and how. Severe it is.
Meningoencephalitis can be categorized further into several forms;
*Steroid-responsive-meningitis-arteritis(SRMA), affects young, medium to large breed dogs
Granulomatous meningoencephalitis can affect any age and any breed, but is more common amongst females, middle-aged, and small breeds.
Necrotizing meningoencephalitis, more specifically among young toy-like breeds.
Greyhound meningoencephalitis.
Necrotizing leukoencephalitis.
Idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis.
The treatment for meningitis depends strongly on the underlying cause. Most cases of an affected dog get them critically ill and require hospitalization for prompt response.
Frequent neurological examinations would be carried out on the pet during treatment, to assess how well there is a response to therapy.
Protozoal and bacterial type of infections are often treated with antibiotics. The case of viral meningitis on the other hand has no cure medically, it can only be handled with supportive care options.
The administration of medications to reduce swelling of the brain, intravenous fluid to keep the dog hydrated, and pain medications to relieve all forms of pain that may be provided.
Meningitis can be diagnosed by a vet through a physical examination and observing some of the symptoms that we have mentioned earlier on in the post.
A complete baseline laboratory test, a complete blood cell count, urinalysis, and serum biochemistry profile could provide a full load of information about the health status of your pet, and probably even provide a different diagnosis for your pet.
Another hugely important diagnostic test is that of, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A small amount of the CSF that bathes the brain and spinal cord is collected from the vertebrae in the cat's lower back or neck.
The fluid is then analyzed for the presence of inflammatory cells, infectious organisms, inflammatory cells, and other disease indicators. Of course, this procedure is carried out under strong anesthesia.
Ensure the well being of your pet by visiting a vet today for proper check-up, see you bext time.
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