Meningitis in GSD? - Page 1

Anyone here ever had any experience with meningitis afflicting their GSD? If yes, how was the dog doing, what kind of a prognisis/recovery can one expect? Anyone ever heard about it appearing in certain lines? I would be grateful for some ***constructive*** input. Thank you!!

I have read about Meningitis, and this is what I know: The symptom make one¿s debut in age of 8-18 month, but also middle age/older dogs can affects. The clinical debut symptoms: High body temperature, pain from neck, stiff move. The dog does not want to jump or move. General condition are down. There are higher risk for the illness to come back, and this time in chronic course of events with loss of "neuro" if you not give enough of treathmeant with Corticosteroids. You must give treathmeant for very long time, several month. But mostly of the dogs recover if the treahtmeant puts in early. I hope you understand my english, I am not so good to translate.

Unfortunately, I have suffered a case of meningitis in my GSD 2 years ago, and that was very painful and hard for my dog and my self. The dog was 5 years old, he was a high competition dog (SchH3, Championships, many trials,...). He got meningitis produced by Erlichia and it was very dificult to find out the problem because he did not have fever nor stomac problems, he did not lose the apetite, however he had nervous symptoms like pain in the head and loses of coordination in his movements. I visit the most important veterinaries in my country, I spent a lot of money however I could not do anything for him and he died. That was terrible for me, I loved that dog very much, he was the best dog I never had. The illness was every day worst, he lost the vision (both eyes), at the end he could not even move (walk). There is nothing you can do, once your dog takes meningitis is almost imposible to cure him. We tried many kinds of medication but ...... I'm sorry about my sad story. Lola

DH, There are a few ways dogs contract meningitis. Bacterial, Fungal and the worse case is giving your dog or cat steroids. I remember my father, who was a vet, telling his patient's owner the evils of using steroids on their pets. Meningitis, Diabetes are linked to the use of steroids. Even a single steroid treatment can cause diabetes in your pet. I do remember dogs being treated successfully that contracted menigitis but many were too far gone by the time they were brought in for diagnosis. As far as it being gentically linked to certain lines, I don't know. I'll dig out my dad's medical journals and see if this is listed anywhere, but knowing the disease I would be doubtful it has a gentic link. Birdy...