70 Meningitis of large breed dogs
INITIAL PRESENTATION
Acute onset of neck pain, fever, lethargy, reluctance to walk, and a stiff gait.
CASE HISTORY
The dog became quiet, anorexic and appeared to be stiff 3 days prior to referral. The dog struggled to squat to defecate, looked like it was ‘walking on egg shells’ and was unable to turn in tight circles. The dog shifted its weight from limb to limb and was panting. There was a fever of 40.8°C. Meloxicam and buprenorphine were given.
The dog had been lame, depressed and febrile for a few days, 5 months earlier. This had resolved with meloxicam. Six weeks prior to referral, the dog was lethargic, inappetant and febrile for 1 week. Thoracolumbar pain was detected at this time. Meloxicam was given.
CLINICAL EXAMINATION
Clinical examinations showed a quiet, mentally responsive dog which could walk unaided but which had an arched back, shuffling hindlimb gait with small steps taken but no ataxia. There was a lowered head position, normal proprioception and normal CNN tests. Spinal reflexes were normal. No joint swelling was found. The temperature was 39.3°C.
NEUROANATOMICAL LOCALIZATION
Pain leading to altered posture and gait.

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