Steroid Responsive Meningitis Arteritis (SMRA)

[Delia Bryce]

All

 

Took me a few days to actually begin writing this blog as quite frankly my boy has had an awful week  my family and I have cried buckets but now we believe he has turned the corner and although he has some hurdles ahead the future is good! Murphy has SMRA and has been ill for almost a week and in hospital since Wednesday last week ..... I will let you google it but I feel its important to share this as he has made terrific progress, despite my initial horror at the mention of meningitis .......

A brief diary of the last week;

• Monday afternoon became very quiet as the night progressed I realised he was sick and was refusing food or water ...
• Tuesday morning seen the vet who thought some sort of allergic reaction to something he had picked up outside but told to watch closely ...
• Wednesday 430 am was crying .... rushed to our local vets again http://www.ayrton.org.uk/ where he was admitted and the vet first mentioned meningitis as a possibility .... I was so scared as my boy was very weak but was put on a drip and closely monitored and given pain relief ......
• Wednesday early afternoon, telephone call to say he wasnt too well he should go to Glasgow University Small Animal Hospital was given morphine for the pain and was comfortable if very ill .........
• Thursday we took him to  Glasgow http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/smallanimalhospital/ where from the moment we arrived he received more excellent care from the minute we walked in the door ...... Although was more talk of how Murphy was very ill and I/we should be prepared (we had no diagnosis at this point) ...... His breathing was laboured he was stressed and had no energy and was displaying signs of being in pain ..... Immediately he began to have Methadone administered ...... I was in a bubble but again they spoke of meningitis.
• Friday was a very busy day...... Chest xray, tummy ultrasound, MRI of neck and head, spinal tap then CT scan then a diagnosis of SMRA and hope of a great recovery...... I felt like I had won the lottery.. we all did ...High dose steroid therapy began......
• Sat we visited to be greated by a full body wagging boy shouting with excitement and kissing us like we had been away for weeks ........He tired easily and was rather doped up - still on Methadone so you can imagine but never in a while have I experienced such joy ..........
• Sunday and today have visted and seen nothing but improvements he is tired but depending on blood work he will be back home tomorrow .......

Some way to go balancing the drugs but I cant stress how much he has came on and how from the scarey diagnosis my mind has turned as I seen it for my own eyes ........... He will see his own vet initally every couple of days but he wont be 17mths till end of this month so you can imagine .......I have some pics ......... which I will post too ....... But wanted to share as whilst this isnt common it isnt unheard of ..... Its not genetic nor can anyone or any dog catch it from him ...... he was unlucky but lets just say the luck of the Irish kicked in! now I cant help my self but today his Irish eyes were smiling!

Steroid therapy maybe will continue for some months but he will be just fine ...... actually no Murphy to me is perfect!

 And today looking at my car

[Catherine Carter]

I am so happy for you that he has made a full recovery!!!....I was not so lucky 4 years ago when I lost my bitch Anna to meningitis......

[martina mckeag]

So sorry to hear about Murphy hope he makes a full recovery

[Lois McCullough]

So sorry to hear about Murphy is there anything more distressing than having one of our own sick and not knowing what it is or how best to help. Do hope he makes a quick and speedy recovery.

[Peter Hennig]

very very happy to read the good news that Murphy has turned the corner I had no idea dogs could get meningitis
all my best wishes for the future

[Yvonne Wark]

So glad he is making a good recovery long may it continue x

 

[Corinne Wakefield]

Thank you Delia for sharing your very upsetting experience with us. I didn't know dogs could get meningitis. Wishing Murphy a speedy recovery to full health and best wishes to you and your family. Well done the vets too !!!

 

[Michelle Webster]

My heart goes out to you having to face this dreadful time, but so delighted to hear that Murphy is recovering well and is so much better. He is such a handsome boy, thank goodness that you were on the ball and realised so quickly that he was ill. You are right to say that this isn't common, genetic or catching, but when they are unlucky enough to get this dreadful illness, it is possible for them to make a full recovery. All fingers, toes and paws are crossed at Hooley for Murphy's continued good health.

Thinking of you all,

Michelle

[Delia Bryce]

All I hoped to do is inform you all of this and that it doesnt have to be scarey and horrible, it can be upsetting but also such a quick transformation..... But thank you all for your support and thoughtful comments, you all understand just how special my boy is to my family and I ........ So thanks again from us all (that includes Murph)

Oh I have an appointment at 230 this pm to collect him and I cant wait!

[Sue Paterson]

So sorry to hear of your horrible nightmare time, but so pleased that Murphy is going on well now. Hope he continues a good recovery and that he's home where he belongs soon.

[Jim Hunger]

Best wishes for Murphy and for you, Delia. It's so frightening when our dog companions get sick, as they can't verbalize what they're feeling, and veterinary science doesn't have all the answers. Hoping for the best possible outcome.