We thought our dog had pulled/strained a muscle in his front legs and shoulders. He's been on metacam for three weeks now but no improvement. His symptoms are depression, doesn't want to jump/climb up anything, stiff walking and holding his head down. Went back to the vets last night and it's now thought that his symptoms are the result of neck pain from meningitis. Hes now on steroids to see if that sorts it.
Any stw experiences of dog meningitis and steroids?
Hi
Usually seen in juvenile dogs and clinical signs can be variable in severity and wax and wane. Definitive diagnosis usually done with CSF taps but response to steroids is usually quick but may need treatment for multiple months. Prognosis is good in most cases though around 20% may have a relapse and require further treatment. Some may need additional drugs adding to mix.
Steroids will make him hungry and thirsty at the doses required though and it’s a battle to stop them gaining weight.
It’s not commonly an infectious disease in this country but an auto immune disease so antibiotics etc not normally required.
