Encephalitis In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Veterinary Neurologist, Dr. Webb provides a review of encephalitis in dogs.
When the brain becomes inflamed, this is called encephalitis. The breeds most likely to develop encephalitis are Yorkshire Terriers and various other Terrier breeds, along with Maltese, Chihuahuas, and Pugs. Encephalitis in dogs can progress rapidly and may even be fatal.
#Veterinaryneurology #encephalitisindogs #veterinarymedicine
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[@j.r.134]

This is a good video. My female yorkshire terrier was diagnosed with GME about 4 years ago. Since we live in Boston, we have a wonderful Neurologist named Dr. Daniel at Angell Memorial. They have a very aggressive treatment plan which saved my girl. I highly recommend him, if anyone reading is in the Boston area. She has had one relapse when we took her off prednisone but has not had a relapse since. We did all diagnostics except the brain biopsy, I felt it was too invasive as she is only 5 pounds.

[@SEVNeurology]

Yes, most neurologists do not do a brain biopsy for the majority of cases. Most neurologists use multiple medications to treat the underlying inflammation. Glad your pup is doing well. Thanks for your positive comment.

[@j.r.134]

@@SEVNeurology Yes, we did chemo cyterabine, Leflonomide, Keppra for seizures, metronidozole and Prednisone. She did suffer blindness in her right eye that did not return but she is a happy puppy for the most part. We have had some issues with staff infection but her dermatologist treated her for it. Because these animals are immune suppressed, for anyone reading the comments, you have to pay very close attention because they are prone to infections due to the immune suppressant drugs.

[@NS-xt5wv]

Hi! May I ask if they performed a CSF Collection on her? Did they mention anything about her weight? Thank you ❤️

[@katesparks730]

Thank you for sharing this - my dog was diagnosed with GME last week and is undergoing a similar treatment and this gives me more hope than I'd had. Thank you!

[@lorenacoleman1724]

My Boston terrier seemed to have these symptoms and died within 14 hours at the vet. We did not elect a necropsy and truly regret that

[@abigailmcenroe5024]

Thank You this. We lost our one year old patterdale/ jack russel . It was hard to watch, our hearts are broken because we just could not understand where and why it happened. Still do not know, just guessing. Also most families can not afford mri, spinal taps, etc.

[@dayronpadron4572]

Very clear and useful dr … thank u . 🙏

[@emberzz6939]

My dog has this and he was only supposed to live 1 month but it’s been 4 years and he’s still going strong i feel some sort of guilt everyday bc I wanna j let him have a regular dog life

[@petadelcastegne2802]

My 2 year old chihuahua has had an MRI and has immune mediated encephalitis, NE necrotising encephalitis. We have done cytarabine and prednisolone one week and we are seeing improvement but are so scared each day we wake up. Seeing you say 4 years so far for you gives me hope. Thank you

[@shaunchuan3027]

@@petadelcastegne2802how’s your dog right now?

[@protokoll4]

I wished my dog had so good doctors. It all started when they gave "easotic" with the antibiotic gentamicin into his ear because of an mycotic (malazessia) infection. Immediatly (1 day) After receiving this medication into his ear he wouldnt stand up for two days. The vet said the dog would suffer from vestibularsyndrom. He gave a new earmedication called "ototop" or sth. He never was really bad. Just dient keep the head straight. But then other symptoms started like face paralysis. Balanceproblems. A weird paralysis of the back legs only in the evening. He sometimes had stiff legs which went back to normal when i bend them. At the end he moved on the floor like having a seizure. Couldnt stand up anymore. He looked like the dogs in the Video above. I had to put him down. Despite tue fact that he was 14 he was very healthy. Checked his blood three Times. Everything was fine also all Organs. Went to 5 diffrent doctors (also clinic) and nobody said meningitis. So my beloved dog died. I Think it was right to put him down because if this gentamicin triggered a meningitis i Think in his age he couldnt survive it. Did a dog his age ever Made it? When the paralysis started he got steroids and amoxycilin. Just After one day he could walk again he responded very good at the steroids. But 5 days later it got worse again. Well many mistakes... Poor dog. Wished i had doctors like this.

[@SEVNeurology]

Sorry to hear and thanks for your kind words. It’s tough to know whether it was the gentamicin, meningitis or something else like a brain tumor or ear infection. Gentamicin related toxicity shouldn’t get worse with time. Meningitis/encephalitis is less common in 14 year old dogs. I’m sorry that you and your pup went through this. Take care.

[@marlythao2956]

Wow... I’m so sorry to hear about having to put your pup down. I came across these videos because my Maltese girl was just diagnosed with this autoimmune disease. she started with showing signs of pain in right neck ... we thought it was a pinched nerve took her to a local ER and they prescribed gabapentine and meloxicam. She wasn’t stumbling until after this ER visit and starting the meds. they said the meds would make her drowsy so we gave her a day to show improvement in her coordination, no improvement and she started having seizures. Took her back to the same ER and they did full blood work and after charging us then told us everything looked good for blood work and told us we should go to a different hospital in town where there was a neurologist. I can’t believe how much precious time they wasted just to have us pay them for blood work. Thankfully we took her to the local university pet hospital and had answers within 24 hours. I wonder if the inflammation would have been triggered as rapidly as it did had we stayed away from the first vet. We’re very thankful for the university’s vet hospital though... we are in the process of getting her treatment plan in place

[@MnM-xm5gv]

I am so sorry you and your dogs went through this. I can relate. It is devastating. Just know you are not alone.

[@boricknight]

Bro same happened to my 4 year old labrador retriever he was completely fine and same things happened I tried my best but same struggle n he died in a week after the first attack he has got its sad that it's doctor faults and they should have saved him

[@boricknight]

Same happened to my pet it is vets faults same medicine they told me to get ​@@marlythao2956

[@kimngreg]

Hi, our 2 year old border collie, Rooster, was diagnosed with Autoimmune encephalitis on July 28, 2023 through MRI and spinal tap results. He is on 5mg of Prednisone morning and night and is on Cytarabine treatments every 3 weeks. He has one more 3 week treatment, then they will extend the 3 treatments to 4 weeks, then 5 weeks etc. While he is responding great to the treatment plan the cost is overwhelming, $460 for every two day treatment. Our neurologist does not think oral medication will have as high of a success rate, but we would like to know if other treatments other than Cytarabine have been successful. Thanks for any help you can give us.

[@SEVNeurology]

Sorry that you and your family are going through this. But glad that you’re under the care of a neurologist and that Rooster (great name!) is doing better. That cost for treatment (which probably includes follow up exams and lab work) is similar to most neurology offices. In general (we can’t make specific recommendations for Rooster since we’ve never met/examined), cytarabine/cytosar is the most common medication we use in addition to prednisone. For some of our patients, we will prescribe Atopica. It might be a little less expensive, but depends on the dog (size) and the hospital (their fee schedule). There isn’t solid proof that one is “better” than the other. There are pros and cons of each (cost, injection vs oral med, potential side effects, needing to come to the hospital VS at home administration, etc) all of which I’m sure your neurologist is taking into account for you. I do think cytosar works a bit faster for severely affected cases, but again, that’s just personal experience as opposed to a true “controlled study”.

[@gamegirlkimmy]

My dogs behavior changed suddenly. He is only 2 but this started with whining a lot and would no longer jump up or down from the bed. We noticed he began trembling , especially when he would try to eat. He has ataxia like gait, his head is not tilting but his nose twitches to the right. He seems to have difficulty coordinating and doesn’t seem to know how to eat. I can’t get him to eat even his favorite foods. His vet couldn’t find anything wrong. Blood work normal, X-rays normal. They prescribed gabopentin and carprofen thinking he was possibly in pain. His gait is wobbly but he doesn’t fall down or go off to the side but he often will walk in circles and walks into things. I don’t know what else to do. 2 vets have seen him but have not figured anything out. It’s been over a week now and he is not better. He will drink water only.

[@sheylamelendez7528]

Did you ever find out what happened is he better now?

[@gamegirlkimmy]

@@sheylamelendez7528 Thanks for asking. I asked the vet if we could trial a prednisone taper and it worked. Still am not sure exactly the cause but he o ly has had one relapse which was not as severe.

[@booyabooya5162]

Great news! And how is your pup today? Is he still taking prednisone? No more relapses?

[@gracemorgan509]

We lost our 3 yr old retriever to this, horrible to watch, 2 vets tons of medicine, ultrasounds x rays, and blood tests, but nothing showed up until too late. We watched this anguish for close to a week.

[@DJMadVibes1]

@@gracemorgan509 i have an almost two year old chocolate Labrador who is going through something neurological like these symptoms described. Im soo lost and had vet suggested a CT Scan. I don't know if we go that far because hes been through alot already and dont want to see him suffer. It all started with what was thought to be abcese building up behind his left eye. Head tilt, can't eat normally, walking un cordinated. Face drooping a little. Not my Kona I got as a pup. So Sad for us to watch

[@petadelcastegne2802]

My 2 year old chihuahua has had an MRI and has suspected immune mediated encephalitis, NE necrotising encephalitis. We have done cytarabine and prednisolone one week and we are seeing improvement but are so scared each day we wake up. Have you ever seen and treated a dog with NE that has gone on to live many years with a healthy life? I am holding onto hope. But I am so scared for when they start to lower the prednisolone. She started on 5mg then the and then lower does of prednisolone 2mg. I know they will eventually decrease it again and I am so scared every day I don’t want to see a decline obviously. She had an abnormal gait since she was born and one eye smaller than the other. We didn’t think anything else. Until out of the blue ataxia symptoms.. which led us to urgent mri and aggressive treatment. Now after a week she is walking better, better balance and can correct herself, she does some weird movements with her tongue but she is back to barking and showing her personality again. Some side effects to treatment were intense diarrhoea and colitis which we are managing and she’s now forming more normal stools. I’m so nervous everyday I’m sick to my stomach wondering if she will be ok that day. I would just love to have some hope, if you have seen cases like this where the dog has an outcome of many more years of life with having NE. And how often is appropriate and humane to have them go through cytarabine treatment.

[@petadelcastegne2802]

I meant .5 and .2 lol

[@Despairingedits]

My dog was hit by a car yesterday. Took him to our local vets and they said he was fine the first time. Around 11pm that day we had to call for an emergency appointment and they found out that his brain is swollen and he's bleeding in the brain. We're keeping an eye on him 24/7 right now and our local vets don't have an mri so we can't check how bad it is. What are the chances he'll survive? :( He's a king Charles spaniel

[@enatichilov616]

Hi my 2 year old dog from the Pomeranian breed was a very severe meningitis that was discovered at the last minute, I considered bringing him a cbd because I realized it helps with inflammation and a lot of dogs have improved their condition thanks to this neurologist who treated the dog against it I would like to know what you think about this ?? The dog two days two shots of the chemotherapy and gets pills and still goes unbalanced should this worry me ?? I would be happy for help and recommendation 🙏

[@SEVNeurology]

Two days is still early. I wouldn’t give up hope if he isn’t 100% yet. Is he improving though? There is zero evidence to suggest that cbd oil does anything positive or negative for meningitis.

[@enatichilov616]

@@SEVNeurology Thanks so much for the reply and I will probably wait and hope it gets better.

[@morgb2321]

@@enatichilov616 Any update for today ?

[@hullabaloou]

I have a question. Is a vet meant to warn you beforehand of side effects of routine vaccines? (In Canada) my sons pup had routine shots & a few days later reacted with Epilepsy & Encephalitis. He will now require meds for life. The neurologist said it was likely caused by the initial vaccines.. I’m so angry with the Vets. There was no warning of side effects or form to sign off on..? This is my sons first dog & his medical bill is at $8000 Ca & rising..Is there anything their pet vet should be doing to help financially? Thank you

[@boricknight]

This happened wid me to 😢😢😢😢

[@janalee4178]

What is the expected outcome for this disease? Can a dog recover? Could my dogs eyesight return?

[@DCKL93]

Hello doctor, Our Dog has MUO ( Diagnosed 10/2020) , He was doing fine since them. ( Therapied With Prednisolon and cyclavance) we Took the Prednisolon off 07/2021. Now He has a New attack.... IT hurts too See him... We Got Prednisolon again on now and it is getting a Bit better. My Question is : when shall we take this too an End? I dont want him too suffer.. Greetings from Germany

[@Sonkens]

So sorry you havnt recived an answer, my dog just got this i fear. She's to weak to do an mri ATM but is such a trooper, has gone from almost completly paralized to almost being able to stand in 5 days. How did it go for you guys? ❤️

[@DCKL93]

@@Sonkens He was blind from one day to another , pressure on the brain in this areal. He can See again. But Had a high Prednisolon Dose... Now WE Go good with 5mg morning and 5mg evening

[@marianikolova579]

Hi, My eight-year- old pinscher was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis a few days ago. Never showed any symptoms at all. Just suddenly collapsed! He was so energetic and running like an athelete.Now all he does is lying. Two weeks ago he had the rabies vaccine. Is any connection possible? I must find an answer why such a horrible thing happened. I blame myself so much :(

[@SEVNeurology]

Sorry to hear. We occasionally see dogs start with symptoms after a vaccine. It’s likely multifactorial: breed, age, already abnormal immune system, then some sort of immune stimulation.

[@marianikolova579]

@@SEVNeurology Thanks a lot for your answer. I hope he gets better with medication.

[@მარიამი-რ4ე]

Hello! My 4 years chihuahua girl has same diagnosis. We drink methilpredlisolone and phenobarbital. What can you say about cytarabine? Our doctor said that we must take this injection.

[@SEVNeurology]

Most cases of encephalitis are due to autoimmune disease (overactive immune system that attacks the individual's own body). Steroids (like methylprednisolone) are aimed at suppressing the overactive immune system. Many neurologists (including those at SEVN) use additional immunosuppressants to decrease the amount of steroid needed to treat the overactive immune system. Cytosar (cytarabine) is one of those medications. There are others, with pros and cons versus cytarabine.

[@მარიამი-რ4ე]

@@SEVNeurology thanks for answer ❤

[@pavitraselvem8181]

Hi my dog have been diagnosed with the same problem. She is whining in pain and pressing head on the wall.. these symptom were develop right after her spay surgery.. please help me with what to do next..

[@SEVNeurology]

How was the diagnosis achieved? If via MRI and spinal tap, then I suspect that the vet that made diagnosis would also be able to help with treatment. It’s hard to give good advice without more information (eg being able to examine in person).

[@desloyd3888]

i have an 8 week old german shepherd husky mix and she just started like screaming and rolling around and running around. could that be a sign of a seizure? or what should i look for..?

[@SEVNeurology]

Tough to say from your description. We have several videos on our channel about seizures that may help.

[@divavision9854]

Hey!my dog is showing these symptoms like not able to balance ,and tilted neck not able to eat by himself tongue prblm and crys everytime can you help me in medication like names of some medicines in this condition with some home treatment like exercise or other

[@SEVNeurology]

Best recommendation would be to see your veterinarian. If your pet has encephalitis, it is a serious condition and is best treated in person.

[@RuthCuate6557]

Hello, my dog has these same symptoms and was put on Prednisone by the vet. This worked for a while but then we tried tapering her off the meds her symptoms would come back. We started replacing the prednisone with CBD oil and it has been helping her tremendously. God bless

[@DJMadVibes1]

Hi. Sorry to hear this.. My dog is also showing signs of a neurological disorder. Do you do an MRI or CT Scan to determine this illness??

[@RuthCuate6557]

⁠@@DJMadVibes1the neurologist is pretty sure it’s an autoimmune disease based on symptoms, age, and breed so we’re treating it as that for now without doing the MRI

[@riyaminzminz5481]

My female puppy is moving in circles and and can't see like she is blind but Her eyes are well. She is doing this from last 2 months and no doctors have found any solution for her treatment their is no improvement she is still like this. Plz tell me what should I do.

[@SEVNeurology]

Walking in circles often suggests a neurological problem, but doesn’t tell us the underlying reason, just where the issue is. If possible, meet with a neurologist to confirm that the cause is neurological then they will recommend tests to determine the cause so that treatment can be started. Where are you located

[@od545]

My dog passed away today😔

[@arturocubos219]

Sorry for your loss Mine did yesterday

[@lalmalsawmafanai6178]

Doctor my dog have exactly the same problem as the dogs in the video, cant walk (loss balance) tilt head, and he put his head on the left, he’s always on U shape to the left. He cant stand with help no balance, please give me how to give him treatment

[@SEVNeurology]

Best recommendation would be an examination by a veterinarian that is familiar with neurological conditions.

[@RSHENSLER]

We are 1 month into same thing. Our pup is no longer sick but cannot walk or stand. Was wonder if you ever got improvement over time with yours.? Its breaking the family heart

[@heretoreview8331]

I would also like to know if you got help. My dog is doing the same.

[@Wanderwithsky1]

I am from India , Kerala,. my pug 10 month old .she was dead last week , she behave like encephalitis 😭, I am thinking now buy a new pug from breeder how to choose puppy without any genetic disorder please help me

[@Vixykins]

My dog's just been diagnosed with muo 😭

[@maheshbathini8337]

I think our dod is at early stage of cerebrospinal fluid... Can any one give some solution

[@SEVNeurology]

Hello, we recommend visiting a neurologist so they could provide the best treatment option for your pet.

[@kiranchinnu8728]

I need to contact u

[@maheshbathini8337]

It is 5 months old

[@Wanderwithsky1]

Doctor please help mee, I don't know English well , I hope u understand how we choose pug puppy without PDE from breeders help I lost my juuby pug If I buy a new puppy like this I got mental problem please help me

[@SEVNeurology]

Sorry to hear about your Pug. There are multiple factors in developing encephalitis, but certain breeds such as Pugs do have a genetic basis.

[@planetanimals7052]

Pug Dog Encephalitis | Causes and Symptoms of Pug Dog Encephalitis 👉 More ► Exclusive ► 👉 www.pugchien.com/2021/06/pug-dog-encephalitis-causes-and.html