Hi all,

My eight month old puppy bullmastiff was last night rushed to the vets last night and was diagnosed with MENINGITUS.  This is something i have not heard of in dogs, but i thought i would warn other owners of the symptons:

Very much the same as when humans get it but they are:

Lathergy, stiffness when walking, walking as if they are drunk, fear of going outside, high temprature, difficulty getting up, pain and stiffness around the neck.

I know that she is in the best place for her, but she has been ill since Monday, two visits to the vets prior to her being admitted. If your dog has any of these symptoms get them to a vet fast.  My dog breeder diagnosed meningitus after i got in touch with her last night, as i thought that she had puppy strangles.

Hope this information is helpfull.
regards Emogenebull

Sorry to hear about your puppy you must be really worried about her :(  as you say she is in the best place for her and it seems as though you acted quickly which is important.  I have heard about meningitis in dogs but I don't think it is very common.

I hope your puppy makes a full and speedy recovery, and thanks for posting this info too.

Let us know how she get on please x

My puppy is now back home, she has responded well to treatment and has been given stronger anitbiotics and steroids to take, the vet did say that there is a posibility she could relaps so she is not out of the woods just yet, she does seem brighter in herself.  I will keep you posted on how she gets on.

regards

Emogenebull x

Sending positive vibes that all goes well with your girl now.  :-)

Excellent news :)

Meningitis is fairly common in some breeds and there is a lot of research being undertaken at the moment. The steroids (usually starting on quite a high dose and gradually reducing over time) work well. I know a number of dogs who have gone on to live very healthy lives in to old age. It is horrible when they are affected and very scary. Good luck, hope your dog continues to respond well.

My four year old collie x Boz has had three bouts of meningitis in the past 2.5 yrs with no obvious triggers each time.  He responds very well to steroids (indeed, it's known as steroid-responsive meningitis). The standard treatment protocol is to taper them off the steroids very slowly over many weeks, and sometimes months. But with Boz, we've tapered him off MUCH quicker - 3-4 wks - very successfully. Touch wood, we've not had a bout for over a year now.

Jemima

My puppy does seem to be responding, although i am concerened she will relaps, she is playing with the other two dogs now, although i do stop her as the vet said no rough and tumble for a while as the steroids mask the pain she is in, i have also noticed she is eating more and always hungry, but ive put this down to the steroids.  I know she is not out of the woods just yet and she propably has some way to go yet!  I noticed though when she was really poorly last week, my other bitch tried to comfort her and stayed by her as much as she could, its not her pup but she acts as if it was. 

I will let you know how my pup goes in the next few days

regards

HI,

My pup is now off her medication for five days and touch wood there has not been a relaps, although i am keeping a close eye on her, she is bounding all over the place and playing with my other bitch.  She does seem back to normal, which i am happy about and so is my bitch as she lost her playmate for two weeks!!  Thank you all for your kind words and support.

Glad to hear she is on the mend now :-)