Expert: karen clark stapleton - 1/10/2012

Question
Hello

I have an 11 years old American Pit bull Terrier that I adopted 10 years ago.  Very healthy and loving and I love him a lot  as well.  4 months ago I left him at the kennel for 1 week.   A day after I got him he developed very unpleasant signs of weakness.  I took him to the vet and he was on IV for 12 hours and in 2 days was back to normal.  Blood tests fro valley fever etc. could not find anything.
2 weeks ago he started developing mild signs of the same - weakness,his backbones sticks out, etc.  The vet said it is 95% disc rapture.  Minimum movement for 3 weeks and gave some med.

I put him again in the kennel as I had to leave town,  and he got the same but much worse only after 4 days being there.  Again  IV etc. Now the vet said it is probably meningitis.  However, we still not sure as the exam is too expensive for me.   He is on antibiotics and anti inflammatory as if he got it.

My question - could being in the kennel activate any of this?

He was at the same kennel many times before and people are very nice there. But the fact that it happened just after that is scary.

Would you please give me some input?

Also, any general advice to handle him if it is indeed meningitis?

Thank you very much,   Gabe

Answer
Canine meningitis is indeed a very serious condition and I am saddened to inform you is often fatal.The usual treatment is steroids, however garlis given under veterinary supervision may also prove effective in the treatment of K9 meningitis infections or viruses.

I would start the doggy on a good diet that includes excellent support for his immune system, herbs that may be good to include are Vitamin C, Garlic (as above), ecinacea selenium and as he is male support for his prostate such as pumpkin oil and broccolli oil.

Fresh water is especially importat for all doggies , but moreso with doggies that need support for their immune system.

I dont think the kennel is at fault here , he is simply under stress due to many factors . I would give him his own special blankets when he has a need to be kenneled and also his favourite toy may also help.

It also may be useful to use lavender in his kennel to keep him calm if you are away.

Kaza