Steroid-responsiv meningit-arterit hos hund

Sammanfattning: Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a common form of meningitis in dogs. The condition is immunopathological, but the etiology is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to compile facts about the disease from records of Swedish dogs. The owners were interviewed by telephone for follow up where it was possible. 15 dogs were included in the study. All of them were neurologically examined in the Small Animal Clinic at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Their diagnosis of SRMA was based on the results of complete general and neurological examination, CSF analysis with a marked pleocytosis and a fast therapeutic response to corticosteroids. Petit basset griffon vendéen showed a predisposition in this study. Signs of meningitis have been observed within this breed earlier, and the results from this study indicate this still might be an important problem. Four of the dogs in this study showed neurological deficiencies besides clinical signs of meningitis. Three of these dogs had a bleeding to the CSF. This implies that neurological signs can be caused by a bleeding due to an arteritis and therefore can affect a dog with meningitis. More than half of the dogs had at least one relapse of SRMA. Some of the dogs in this study have not shown clinical signs and haven´t had any need of corticosteroids for more than three years after cessation of therapy. To avoid relapses, two of the dogs are still under therapy (nov 2003). The results of treatment were in agreement with previous reports. The prognosis is favoured by an early diagnosis, an individual adequate treatment protocol and a continual follow-up and evaluation.