SRMA and brain damage??

[moss]

Sorry, yet another musing question from me.
I am wondering if SRMA is similar to "normal" meningitis that humans get in that effects the brain and can cause brain damage?
The reason for my question is that about 4 months on from finishing his last dose of Preds Sunny is still nothing like the dog he was before he got ill.
Part of me wonders if its brain damage, part of me wonders if it is lack of socialisation/life skills that he missed whilst whilst he was ill and part of me wonders if he's brewing another SRMA crisis.
He is often very quiet and subdued for a young collie, although this can change and he can be happy and full of life if the mood takes him.  He is clumsey. He is often worried by strange objects.  He very often growls whilst I stroke him but never attempts to snap.  He is scared/aggressive with strange dogs but also one of mine who he has lived with all his life.  His coat is like wool.  I don't know, he's definately not right but I don't no what to do with him and the vet is no help.
Has anyone else experienced problems similar to these
Thanks
Jacqui

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

hi Jacqui,
do you think he was different before this all happened?
I work with dogs that have a lot of issues - and every now and then we come across dogs that have what we liken to autism in people.  They don't communicate with other dogs in the same way, they are very often clumsy, they react abnormally to things that for example the day before they were totally fine with.
I'm not sure if SRMA can cause brain damage.
We're worked with a dog that was oxygen deprived during an operation - his reactions are definitely not normal.

[moss]

Hi, thank you for your reply
Yes he is certainly a different dog, he was shown before he got ill and had a calm, steady temperament and was well socialised.  Now he is nervy and unpredictable, sounds silly but he also no longer likes me.  He loves my husband and eldest daughter but he was always "my dog" and now he doesn't come near me unless he has to
He doesn't seem happy to me although he goes thru the motions of daily life,  it's difficult to explain.
He is also difficult with other dogs, I'm finding it hard to try to overcome these problems without understanding the underlying issues

Thanks
Jacqui

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Have you tried desensitising and classical conditioning around other dogs? using high value treats just rewarding him for looking at other dogs without reacting - you need to do this at a distance where he is comfortable.  If he's reacting - then you're too close.  You need to keep him under threshold when you're working with him like this - so if he grabs or snatches the treat, or if he can't sit (if he normally can sit when you ask) then he's over threshold and you need to increase distance.
Feel free to ring me if you want to talk about it Jacqui - my number is on the Dog Comm website www.dogcommunication.co.uk

[Jo CIMDA]

Sorry, yet another musing question from me.
I am wondering if SRMA is similar to "normal" meningitis that humans get in that effects the brain and can cause brain damage?
The reason for my question is that about 4 months on from finishing his last dose of Preds Sunny is still nothing like the dog he was before he got ill.
Part of me wonders if its brain damage, part of me wonders if it is lack of socialisation/life skills that he missed whilst whilst he was ill and part of me wonders if he's brewing another SRMA crisis.
He is often very quiet and subdued for a young collie, although this can change and he can be happy and full of life if the mood takes him.  He is clumsey. He is often worried by strange objects.  He very often growls whilst I stroke him but never attempts to snap.  He is scared/aggressive with strange dogs but also one of mine who he has lived with all his life.  His coat is like wool.  I don't know, he's definately not right but I don't no what to do with him and the vet is no help.
Has anyone else experienced problems similar to these
Thanks
Jacqui

Hi Jacqui

If Sunny's problem is  behavioural then Penel is the one to help you. 

There is not usually any after damage done by SRMA, and it isn't like the more dangerous, bacterial form of meningitis.  However sometimes  the dog's sight is damaged and this does not resolve after the dog is remission. Do you think he can see properly?   Also it may be worth having a three test thyroid panel done, eg:  TT4, FT4 and TSH,  as dogs that have had an AI disease may get another and hypothyroidism seems to be  common.

Jo


 

[moss]

Penel, that is so kind, thank you.  He is able to work in a group with other dogs as his attention is 100% on me, socialising and walking are a different matter so yes I need to do some work
Jo, I have been doing some reading today And was wondering about Thyroid testing, will speak to the vet.  I'm pretty sure his eyesight is fine but will ask about that too
Thank you both very much for your advice!
Jacqui

[moss]

Have been to the vet today with Sunny.

I asked about Thyroid testing, the vet wasn't keen

I asked about taking him to see a chiropractor, she said yes but couldn't reccomend one.  I'm in Devon, can anyone reccomend anyone please.  Sunny growls about 75% of the time when touched, I don't know if he's in pain or its a learned behaviour from when he was ill
I asked about his behavioural issues and whether she thought they may be linked to lingering effects of Preds, she said she didn't know.
So really I'm not further forward.
He is definately worse with other entire male dogs and the vet suggested Tardak, has anyone used this witha dog with AI problems?  My first reaction is maybe its too risky?
He's such a lovely dog and it breaks my heart knowing he's just not "right" I'm keen to eliminate any physical problems before I challenge him too much mentally with training.
Any further advice would be much appreciated
Thanks
Jacqui

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi

From what you write, your vet doesn't seem very helpful - or useful.  Have you thought about going to see another vet?  Does Sunny have any other syptoms of hypoT?  Has he put on wieght  recently or does he have less energy?  The clinical signs of hypoT are numerous.  Do you know the reason for you vet not being keen to do a thyroid test?

Jo

[Janspack]

Hi

From what you write, your vet doesn't seem very helpful - or useful.  Have you thought about going to see another vet?  Does Sunny have any other syptoms of hypoT?  Has he put on wieght  recently or does he have less energy?  The clinical signs of hypoT are numerous.  Do you know the reason for you vet not being keen to do a thyroid test?

Jo

Very tactfully put Jo!!  I would say go look for another vet!!

[moss]

Lol, I can see what you mean but she has been good when he was really ill.  It's a big practise and by far the best around here, I can always see another vet if I'm really not happy.  She admits it is not something she has had a lot of experience with but up until now been willing to discuss all the options. 
No he hasn't put on weight but he definately isn't particularly energetic.  His coat is very wooley and he is very "spooky" which makes me wonder if he doesn't see particularly well, definately not blind by any stretch of the imagination but in darker or very bright light he can react strangely.
I will read up more about hypoT and talk to her again when I'm a bit more clued up
Thanksx

[Jo CIMDA]

Wooley coat is a significant clinical sign of hypoT or other hormone imbalance.

Jo

[Janspack]

Certainly sounds as though it would be sensible to at least rule HypoT out.  Good luck

[moss]

Thanks, I've done some reading now too and feel a bit more informed.  Will go back and request he is tested
Jacqui