Disease Ontology ID: DDTO:0000232

Disease Description: Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord.

Inherit Mode: unknown.

Disease Symptom: -

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Your veterinarian will do blood tests and take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid ( a spinal tap) to determine the cause of your dog's illness. A spinal tap, which is done under general anesthetic, will help to determine whether there is an infectious cause (septic meningitis) - an important factor in the decision about treatment.

Treat Method: Both beagle pain syndrome and Bernese mountain dog aseptic meningitis are treated with high doses of corticosteroids, which are gradually tapered to a low dose every second day. If 6 months goes by without problems on the low dose, your veterinarian may suggest that you try stopping the treatment. This works well in some dogs; others will have to be on a low dose for life. Unfortunately there is no treatment that is effective for pug encephalitis. Seizures become progressively more difficult to control, and the abnormalities between seizures become worse. Most affected dogs are euthanized or die within a few weeks to a few months of the disorder first appearing.

Breeder Advice: Affected animals should not be used for breeding. Although little is known about the inheritance of these conditions, it is best to also avoid breeding parents or siblings of affected pups.

Disease Description Source: Link