... initially posted under http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=248308&page=0#Post248308



Sorry for posting again, but I figured I'd do so under the correct diagnosis (this is continued from the Immune Mediated Polyarthritis post).
It turns out, after a day of culturing the spinal fluid showed my 14 month old GSD has sterile neutrophilic meningitis (we tentatively ruled it out only b/c initial results showed he was negative -- but for bacterial meningitis). We are still waiting on the other tests (tick borne illness one mainly) to make sure he doesn't/does have any additional diagnosis. This does make a bit more sense than the originally tentative diagnosis - polyarthritis (since there was no hock or other joint inflammation and altho stiff all over the localized joint pain was in the length of his spine).

The good news is he is responding remarkably well to the immune-suppressive treatment (fever is still gone, mobility is back, joint soreness is dissipating). He will stay on antibiotics (doxycyline) until we know for sure the other results but general treatment is looking like prednisone for 10-14 months, with gradual weaning during the time, observation of reaction to weaning and constant observation for relapse. Hopefully he'll respond well to the weaning as long-term prednisone is not something I'd prefer (having lost a dog to liver failure). But for now it's all about choosing the battle to focus on, I guess.

If anyone has any advice/thoughts/experience concerning SN Meningitis as well as long-term prednisone use, feel free to post as I know there is so much learned by experience.

Just to educate others as to how this came about: Oscar suddenly became lethargic and had a fever and stiffness that increased over a 24 hour period. He held his neck strangely (mostly straight extended from his body, rather than higher than his back as usual and had trouble eating/drinking from bowls on the ground -- again, all suddenly). His nose was also leaking clear fluid. As it progressed he became sore to the touch, especially his spine and neck and had overall stiffness.
Luckily we noticed this and sought help right away. Unfortunately, the first vet we saw (not our usual one who was away) laughed off (I kid you not) my suggestion that it was meningitis. We went to a specialist and then the litany of tests commenced...including the spinal tap that provided the sample that has since diagnosed him.

I'm picking him up at the hospital later today. Thanks so much.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/28/2009 02:36 PM)
Edit reason: URL