What is meningitis?
Meningitis refers to inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. This outer membrane is known as the meninges; meningitis, therefore, is defined as inflammation of the meninges. Meningitis has a number of potential causes, including both infectious and non-infectious.
Infectious meningitis can occur in any age or breed of dog. The German Shepherd dog may be predisposed to meningitis caused by Rickettsia species, and the American Cocker Spaniel to cryptococcosis meningitis.
The non-infectious forms of this condition, also known as a meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), can be further categorized into several forms including: steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME), necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), greyhound meningoencephalitis, necrotizing leukoencephalitis (NLE), and idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Each of these forms often has a specific breed predisposition:
- SRMA - young, medium to large breed dogs such as the beagle, Bernese mountain dog, Border collie, Boxer, English Springer spaniel, Jack Russell terrier, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Weimaraner, and Whippet
- GME – any age and breed, but most commonly in middle-aged, female small-breeds
- NME – juvenile to young toy and small breeds such as the Pug, Maltese, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Papillon
- Necrotizing leukoencephalitis – any age, more often in young, small breeds such as Yorkshire terrier, French bulldog
- Greyhound encephalitis – young Greyhounds
- Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis – young, large breed males such as Golden Retriever and Rottweiler
What causes meningitis?
Infectious meningitis can be caused by a number of infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections. These infections may reach the central nervous system via the sinuses, the inner ear, the vertebrae, or traumatic injuries such as a bite wound. In some cases, infections may reach the central nervous system via the bloodstream.
Meningitis may also be non-infectious in nature, caused by an immune-mediated inflammatory response (in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues).
Additionally, some parasites may migrate through the brain and central nervous tissues, causing meningitis. Examples of this are Baylisascaris procyonis (a roundworm of raccoons) and heartworm.
In dogs, the most common type of meningitis is steroid-responsive meningitis (also known as steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis). This immune-mediated condition is most commonly seen during early adulthood.
What are the clinical signs of meningitis?
Common clinical signs of meningitis include fever, generalized pain (which may be severe), and rigidity of the neck. Affected dogs are often lethargic and may refuse to eat.
"Although meningitis itself does not cause neurologic signs, it may occur in association with encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)."
Although meningitis itself does not cause neurologic signs, it may occur in association with encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), in a condition called meningoencephalitis. Dogs with meningoencephalitis may show neurologic signs, including seizures, depression, balance problems, blindness, pacing, circling, and loss of consciousness.
How will my veterinarian diagnose meningitis?
Your veterinarian will begin by performing a thorough physical exam on your dog. Signs that may suggest meningitis include neck pain, decreased blood pressure, and changes to the optic nerve that may be visible on ophthalmic (eye) exam.
Next, your veterinarian will likely perform complete baseline laboratory tests, including a complete blood cell count (CBC), serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. These tests will provide important information about your dog’s overall health and may provide an alternative explanation for your dog’s signs of illness. Specific blood tests fo infectious causes of meningitis may also be performed.
If your dog’s bloodwork is normal, additional (more specialized) testing will likely be recommended. In many cases, your dog may be referred to a neurologist for these tests.
The most important diagnostic test in meningitis is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) of the brain. Performed while under a general anesthetic, characteristic changes of the structure of the brain and surrounding tissues may be seen, with findings varying by the location and cause of the meningitis.
An additional important diagnostic test in meningitis is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap. Once under general anesthesia, a needle is inserted between the vertebrae in your cat’s neck or lower back, allowing your veterinarian to collect a small amount of the CSF that bathes the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is analyzed for the presence of abnormal protein levels, inflammatory cells, infectious organisms, or other indicators of disease. In many cases, analyzing the CSF can not only diagnose meningitis, but also suggest an underlying cause. Because of the risks involved with a CSF tap, an MRI or CT scan is preferred in many circumstances.
How is meningitis treated?
The treatment of meningitis depends largely on the underlying cause. In most cases, dogs are critically ill when they present to the veterinarian and require hospitalization for aggressive treatment. Your veterinarian will perform frequent neurologic examinations on your dog during the course of treatment, in order to assess how he is responding to therapy.
"The treatment of meningitis depends largely on the underlying cause."
Bacterial and protozoal infections are typically treated with antibiotics. In some cases, your veterinarian may begin with a broad-spectrum antibiotic and then change medications based on the results of CSF culture and sensitivity (a test in which bacteria are isolated from the CSF and tested to determine which antibiotics are most effective against the bacteria that are present).
Steroid-responsive meningitis is typically treated with prednisone. Dogs are initially started on a relatively high dose of prednisone, with the dose tapered over the first several weeks of treatment. Side effects of prednisone treatment include increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, and increased susceptibility to infection. Long-term prednisone treatment (up to a year or more) may be required to prevent relapse.
Viral meningitis does not have a medical cure; it is treated with supportive care. Supportive care measures that may be used in viral meningitis, as well as in other cases of meningitis, include intravenous fluids to keep your dog hydrated, medications to decrease brain swelling, pain medications to alleviate discomfort, and nursing care.
What is the prognosis for meningitis?
The prognosis for meningitis depends upon the underlying cause. Corticosteroid-responsive meningitis typically carries the best prognosis, while infectious and immune-mediated meningitis cases carry a guarded prognosis.
