Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord. Most cases of meningitis are due to bacterial or viral infection.
Some forms occur in specific breeds however, and are believed to have an inherited basis.
This may be because of a genetically determined abnormality of the immune system. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed. However the signs are more severe and progress more rapidly than with aseptic meningitis. Signs such as bradycardia, DIC, shock and hypotension are much more often seen with bacterial meningitis. Clinically, seizures predominate, with abnormalities in gait, posture and behaviour persisting between seizures, and cortical blindness.