Beagle pain syndrome is a type of meningitis caused by inflammation of the blood vessels, called polyarteritis. Although cases in older dogs have been reported, puppies under the age of two are most commonly affected. And even though the name contains Beagle, the disease can affect any breed of dog and is most common in medium and large breeds.
More recently, it has been called steroid-responsive arteritis meningitis (SRMA), necrotizing vasculitis, or immune-mediated meningitis-polyarteritis (IMMP). This unusual condition is characterized by simultaneous inflammation of one or more arteries and irritation or infection of small blood vessels in the spinal cord, neck and heart.
Symptoms of the disease are inconsistent and include signs of significant bacterial infection, such as high fever, discomfort, and high white blood cell count. Unfortunately, the precise origin of Beagle Pain Syndrome is still unknown and there is currently no known method to prevent it.
Although no viruses or bacteria have been associated with this disease to date, some veterinary researchers believe it may be caused by infection or genetic predisposition.
Many symptoms of Beagle pain syndrome overlap with those of other common illnesses, including intervertebral disc disease and a number of tick-borne illnesses. To identify these diseases, your veterinarian may need to perform a number of diagnostic procedures. Some of the tests include a physical exam, CSF sample, neurological exam, blood work, and diagnostic imaging. Bacterial meningitis, spinal disc inflammation, spinal tumor, and cervical disc disease should be ruled out before confirming a diagnosis of polyarteritis.
Depending on how each dog responds to treatment, the prognosis for Beagle Pain Syndrome can vary. With early discovery and aggressive treatment, the majority of dogs that have been diagnosed with this disease can be cured. Unfortunately, many animals relapse during or after therapy. To treat these relapses, some dogs will need repeated cycles of treatment.
