Content
- Encephalitis in dogs: causes and symptoms
- Canine bacterial encephalitis
- Post-vaccination canine encephalitis
- canine meningitis
- Canine necrotizing encephalitis
- Encephalitis in dogs: treatment
- Encephalitis in dogs: sequelae
- Is encephalitis in dogs contagious?
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we are going to talk about a disease that, fortunately, is not very common. It is encephalitis, a brain inflammation and/or infection that, even in dogs that manage to recover, it can leave sequelae. We will see that the types of encephalitis are distinguished depending on the factor that triggered them. We will also talk about the symptoms that will characterize the encephalitis in dogs and the treatment, which as always, must be indicated by the veterinarian.
Encephalitis in dogs: causes and symptoms
What is encephalitis in dogs? Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, or encephalon. You clinical signs of encephalitis in dogs include:
- Fever;
- Apathy;
- Changes in behavior and personality (especially aggressiveness);
- Wandering in an uncoordinated way;
- Seizures;
- Stupor and eat.
Of course, when you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should go to the vet.
THE most common cause of encephalitis is the distemper, a potentially deadly viral disease whose incidence is fortunately declining, thanks to vaccination plans. THE anger, eradicated in many countries also thanks to vaccines, is another viral cause of encephalitis, as well as the herpesvirus canine, capable of producing encephalitis in newborn puppies, less than two weeks old.
Other causes, although less frequent, of encephalitis are the fungal infections, that is, caused by fungi, protozoa, rickettsiae or ehrlichiosis. In addition to the brain, the spinal cord can also be damaged. There is also lead encephalitis, the kind that occurs in dogs that ingest materials that have lead among their components, such as paint or plaster. These inadequate intakes are more likely in puppies. In these cases, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are also observed.
Canine bacterial encephalitis
This type of encephalitis in dogs is produced by bacteria that reach the brain through the circulatory system, although they can also spread directly from the nasal passage or from an infected abscess in areas such as the head or neck.
Post-vaccination canine encephalitis
This type of encephalitis in dogs occurs after using modified vaccines or modified viruses. It is most likely to be triggered when both canine distemper and canine parvovirus vaccines are given to puppies less than 6-8 weeks of age.
canine meningitis
Meningitis is defined as the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Its origin usually occurs by a bite located in the area of the head or neck, which becomes infected. In addition, bacterial infections that reach the brain from places like the nose or ears can also cause meningitis. There is a type of meningitis, called aseptic or viral, which has an unknown origin and affects large-breed puppies under two years of age.
Canine necrotizing encephalitis
This type of encephalitis in dogs is small breeds, like pug or yorkshire. It is hereditary and affects young puppies under the age of four. It can attack the entire brain or just specific areas. There is a rare form that is restricted to the optic nerves and causes sudden blindness. Unfortunately, this disease is progressive and there is no treatment. You can only prescribe medication to slow its progression.
Encephalitis in dogs: treatment
The diagnosis of encephalitis and canine meningitis is obtained after the analysis of a cerebrospinal fluid sample, which is extracted by a lumbar puncture. Also, the veterinarian will have to perform tests to find the underlying cause. Based on the results, you will establish the treatment, which will aim to eliminate what caused the encephalitis and control its symptoms.
In this way, they can be used corticosteroids to reduce brain inflammation. If the dog has seizures, it will be necessary to also medicate it with anticonvulsants. Antibiotics can also be used to treat encephalitis in dogs if the cause is a bacterial infection.
Encephalitis in dogs: sequelae
The additional problem with encephalitis in dogs is that, even when they can recover, they can have sequelae, such as seizures and other neurological symptoms. These symptoms can be very variable because they will depend on the affected area and what was possible to recover. This way, you can observe tics, limp or walk uncoordinated.
Is encephalitis in dogs contagious?
Encephalitis in dogs, being an inflammation of the brain, it's not contagious. However, as it is a symptom of diseases such as distemper, which is transmissible between dogs that are in contact, depending on the triggering disease, it is necessary to take the necessary precautions. That's why it's so important to go to the vet to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.