Beagle Dog
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Beagle Pain Syndrome
The technical medical term for Beagle Pain Syndrome is Steroid Responsive Meningitis (SRM)..and despite the name it can develop in breeds other than the Beagle. It was first discovered when research was being done on a group of Beagle dogs in the 80’s and this is why it has its name.
It is a conditions that is a combination of meningitis and polyarteritis. It is misdiagnosed quite a bit because the symptoms can vary…one Beagle may show certain signs…and another Beagle with the same issue may show others.
The Symptoms
Here is a list of all of the possible symptoms…Do remember that a Beagle does not need to show all of these to have Beagle Pain Syndrome:
Rare Symptoms
When This Can Happen
In the majority of cases, it will begin to develop when the Beagle is between the ages of 4 to 10 months old…However, it has been seen to develop in dogs of any age…in rare cases it may develop in a dog who is in his or her teens.
When seen in much older dogs, it is often a form of BPS, known as GME (called Granulomatous Meningo-Encephalitis)…and often responds better to treatment.
It occurs at the same rate in both males and females.
What Causes This
As of the present time, the exact cause of Beagle Pain Syndrome is not known. Researchers have discovered that it is the body that sends out an immune response, however they do not know what the trigger to that is. When the Beagle’s body sends out that response, it results in a severe inflammation of the blood vessels that are in and around the lining of the brain and the neck. The dog’s body then attacks its own cells.
How This is Diagnosed
When taken to the veterinarian, other medical conditions will need to be ruled out. These are:
This is diagnosed by the symptoms that the dog is displaying and a spinal tap that will show certain changes in the number of cells and proteins.
Sometimes an MRI will how severe the disease as progressed.
How This is Treated
In most cases, the veterinarian first try to treat this with non steroidal anti-inflammatories such as meloxicam and carprofen.
The next step is to treat the dog with high doses of steroids...Usually it is prednisone is given. This is usually given for 1 week, and then it is given 2 times a week.
Some dogs may grow out of the condition…others may have to stay on steroids permanently. In more severe cases other immunosuppressive agents, such as Azathiorpine or Cytarabine may be used along with corticosteroid steroid therapy.
One of the most important elements is to get the dog on a treatment program as quickly as possible. Once there are very good signs of improvements, the steroid doses will be gradually decreased, this is done VERY slowly, because if it is done too rapidly the dog may relapse
When on steroids, a dog will have the urge to drink more water and it is important that owners make sure that fresh, cool water is available at all times. Do be aware that this may cause a temporary condition of water retention. Other side effects may be an increased appetite and urination accidents (due to the increased drinking). It can help to take your dog outside more often than normal to allow him or her to release their bladder.
It is a conditions that is a combination of meningitis and polyarteritis. It is misdiagnosed quite a bit because the symptoms can vary…one Beagle may show certain signs…and another Beagle with the same issue may show others.
The Symptoms
Here is a list of all of the possible symptoms…Do remember that a Beagle does not need to show all of these to have Beagle Pain Syndrome:
- Cervical Pain
- Change in stance, from normal to a more hunched appearance
- Shaking
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Signs that show the dog is having pain in the neck or has a stiff neck (normal movement of the neck is lacking)
- Muscle spasms (most often occurring in the dog’s legs and/or neck
- Weakness (The Beagle may be slow to move, may not want to run and play as normal
- Pain in the jaw (This is often seen as a reluctance to bark or howl…or to eat large amounts of food at one time)
Rare Symptoms
- A small number of dogs who have Beagle Pain Syndrome will experience blindness.
- A small number of dogs who have Beagle Pain Syndrome will experience paralysis in the legs (front, back or all).
When This Can Happen
In the majority of cases, it will begin to develop when the Beagle is between the ages of 4 to 10 months old…However, it has been seen to develop in dogs of any age…in rare cases it may develop in a dog who is in his or her teens.
When seen in much older dogs, it is often a form of BPS, known as GME (called Granulomatous Meningo-Encephalitis)…and often responds better to treatment.
It occurs at the same rate in both males and females.
What Causes This
As of the present time, the exact cause of Beagle Pain Syndrome is not known. Researchers have discovered that it is the body that sends out an immune response, however they do not know what the trigger to that is. When the Beagle’s body sends out that response, it results in a severe inflammation of the blood vessels that are in and around the lining of the brain and the neck. The dog’s body then attacks its own cells.
How This is Diagnosed
When taken to the veterinarian, other medical conditions will need to be ruled out. These are:
- Bacterial meningitis
- Diskospondylitis
- Spinal tumor
- Lyme disease
- Cervical disc disease
This is diagnosed by the symptoms that the dog is displaying and a spinal tap that will show certain changes in the number of cells and proteins.
Sometimes an MRI will how severe the disease as progressed.
How This is Treated
In most cases, the veterinarian first try to treat this with non steroidal anti-inflammatories such as meloxicam and carprofen.
The next step is to treat the dog with high doses of steroids...Usually it is prednisone is given. This is usually given for 1 week, and then it is given 2 times a week.
Some dogs may grow out of the condition…others may have to stay on steroids permanently. In more severe cases other immunosuppressive agents, such as Azathiorpine or Cytarabine may be used along with corticosteroid steroid therapy.
One of the most important elements is to get the dog on a treatment program as quickly as possible. Once there are very good signs of improvements, the steroid doses will be gradually decreased, this is done VERY slowly, because if it is done too rapidly the dog may relapse
When on steroids, a dog will have the urge to drink more water and it is important that owners make sure that fresh, cool water is available at all times. Do be aware that this may cause a temporary condition of water retention. Other side effects may be an increased appetite and urination accidents (due to the increased drinking). It can help to take your dog outside more often than normal to allow him or her to release their bladder.
