Canine Meningitis – any help or info

Looking for a bit of advice please with regard to doggy meningitis.

My 9 year old Springer Archie was rushed into Emergency in the early hours of Friday morning a very poorly lad with a high temperature and excruciating pain in his neck. He’s been diagnosed with Meningitis – currently stable but still seriously ill. In the early hours of Friday he was paralysed in both back legs and not much use in his front legs. Today, day 3, his front legs are almost back to normal, he has got the feeling back in both back legs but is still unable to use them. I know it’s early days but it’s very distressing to see him like this.

It is being suggested he could be on steroids for anything up to a year but 99% of those we talk to have never heard of meningitis in dogs – apparently it is very rare and not contagious.

Has anyone any experience of canine meningitis, words of wisdom or advice in receiving the little man home and how to go about doing the best by him? I’m sure we will get a lot of help from Dovecote Hospital where he is at the moment – they are amazing people; especially Andrew Robinson.

I know we all have our burdens to carry but this has been the longest 48 hours of our life.

Fingers firmly crossed.

Jill