Comparative evaluation of different treatment schemes for aseptic meningoencephalitis in dogs of dwarf breeds

¹ Ulyanovsk State Agrarian University named after P.A. Stolypin, 432017 Ulyanovsk, Russia
² AlternativaVet Veterinary Medicine Clinic, Samara, Russia

^* Corresponding author: evgenimari@yandex.ru

Abstract

The article presents the results of treatment of aseptic meningoencephalitis in dogs of dwarf breeds. Diagnostics included a thorough neurological examination: assessment of mental status, ability to perform diagnostic tests, proprioceptive and postural reaction, the consistency and symmetry of cranial reflexes, including of pupil response to light and response to the threat, the presence of involuntary movements and forced poses, the intensity of the muscle tone and tendon reflexes. If an animal is suspected of having a brain lesion, other possible causes of encephalopathy were excluded. For this purpose, a General blood test was performed (to detect signs of inflammation, anemia); a detailed biochemical blood test (excluding renal and hepatic encephalopathy, indirect signs of the presence of a portosystemic shunt); if a portosystemic shunt was suspected, a blood test for bile acids was performed; when excluding all other causes of damage to the central nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed with contrast with the use of the drug OmniScan. During the magnetic resonance imaging, multiple foci were detected in all parts of the brain, including in the thalamus and trunk; including in some animals, foci that have a tendency to decay and form a necrotic cavity. It was established that before the start of treatment, animals had a wobbly gait, convulsive signs, a comatose state in some dogs, and weak visual reflexes. As a result of studies of morphological and biochemical parameters of blood in dogs, it was found that all the data obtained were within the reference values and did not have significant significance in the diagnosis of aseptic meningoencephalitis. Against the background of etiotropic and symptomatic therapy, positive dynamics was observed in patients with aseptic meningoencephalitis.