Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissue. It usually occurs simultaneously with meningitis (inflammation of the brain lining) and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will talk about the basics of brain inflammation in dogs.
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Content:
- Symptoms of Encephalitis in Dogs
- What Causes Encephalitis in Dogs
- Treatment for Encephalitis in Dogs
- Conclusion
Symptoms of Encephalitis in Dogs
Encephalitis in dogs causes neurological signs and symptoms that develop quickly, within days or weeks.
“The signs of encephalitis are dependent upon the part of the brain that is affected,” says Peter Maguire DVM in an article for Vet Specialists.
Symptoms of encephalitis affecting the forebrain include:
- Seizures
- Blindness
- Behavior changes
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Circling
Symptoms of encephalitis affecting the brainstem include:
- Head tilt or tremors
- Facial paralysis
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Ataxia or lack of balance
Considering the quick development and progression of dog encephalitis symptoms, it is useful to continuously monitor your dog with the Petcube Pet Camera.
What Causes Encephalitis in Dogs
Encephalitis in dogs is caused by infectious and non-infectious agents. Non-infectious forms are called idiopathic and are considered to have an autoimmune origin. The encephalitis cause remains unknown in 60% of the cases.
Infectious Encephalitis
- Bacteria: Bacterial encephalitis is relatively rare in dogs and is typically associated with deep ear or sinus infection and the spread of pathogens through the bloodstream.
- Viruses: Distemper, rabies, herpesvirus, adenovirus, and parvovirus are viral causes of encephalitis. Distemper is prevalent and deadly in puppies. Studies suggest that in dogs over six years, the virus causes “old dog encephalitis.”
- Fungi: Fungi responsible for encephalitis in dogs include Cryptococcus neoformans, Blastomyces dermatididis, and Coccidioidomyces immitis.
- Parasites: Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis) and Neospora caninum (neosporosis) are the top two protozoan parasites causing encephalitis in dogs.
- Ticks: Ticks often carry infectious agents. Common tick-borne diseases resulting in dog encephalitis are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and ehrlichiosis.
Non-Infectious Encephalitis
- Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis (GME): GME affects small dogs, such as Terriers and Miniature Poodles between the ages of four and eight. According to studies, GME progresses fast and is fatal within weeks unless treated.
- Necrotising Meningoencephalitis: Necrotising meningoencephalitis, commonly known as Pug encephalitis occurs when the dog’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. Other small breeds are susceptible, too.
- Hepatic Encephalopathy: Hepatic encephalopathy develops when liver failure or shunt allows ammonia to build up in the circulation. Ammonia has a toxic effect on nerve cells. Yorkshire Terriers are frequently affected.
Treatment for Encephalitis in Dogs
The golden standard for treating infectious encephalitis is antibiotics. Dogs with non-infectious encephalitis are given immune suppressants.
Symptomatic therapy is individually tailored based on the clinical manifestation and includes low doses of steroids for brain swelling or anticonvulsants for dogs with seizures.
“Some dogs with immune-mediated encephalitis do well and others do not respond” explains a Reddit user.
More precisely, studies show that all forms of encephalitis in dogs have a guarded prognosis.
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Conclusion
Encephalitis occurs without warning and progresses quickly. It manifests with neurological signs such as tremors, seizures, vision loss, incoordination, and confusion.
The treatment includes antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and symptomatic therapy. Dogs with encephalitis have a guarded prognosis.
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