The abbreviation SRMA stands for Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis. It is a relatively common form of meningitis in dogs.
What causes SRMA in dogs, how the disease manifests itself and how it is treated is explained below.
SRMA (sterile purulent meningitis arteritis) is a specific form of meningitis in which there is inflammation of the meninges and the blood vessels within them. SRMA is considered the most common meningitis in dogs. The disease can be acute or chronic and can be treated with steroids.
Why sterile suppurative meningitis-arteritis occurs has not yet been conclusively explained. However, it is assumed that SRMA in dogs is triggered by an autoimmune reaction occurring for unknown reasons.
SRMA occurs in most cases in relatively young animals between 6 and 18 months of age. Regardless of this, sterile suppurative meningitis-arteritis is possible in all dogs. However, particular medium to large dog breeds are particularly frequently affected.
SRMA can occur in dogs both acutely and chronically. The typical symptoms of the acute form include fever, a stiff neck, and pain. In addition, affected animals usually make a weary impression and are reluctant to be touched on the neck because of the pain.
Chronic SRMA, on the other hand, manifests itself primarily through neurological disorders, which can be noticeable, for example, through strabismus or impaired movement.
If you observe signs of SRMA in your dog, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian will first ask you about the four-legged friend's symptoms and perform a general examination.
Since various other diseases can cause similar complaints in your dog, these must first be ruled out. This may require, among other things, imaging procedures as well as urine and blood tests.
At least in the acute form, the blood test can also help diagnose SRMA. For this purpose, specific blood values such as the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) are checked. However, in dogs with chronic SRMA, the blood values often show no abnormalities.
If other possible diseases can be ruled out, the vet will examine the cerebrospinal fluid to detect inflammatory processes in the meninges. Of course, it is necessary to put the dog under general anaesthesia to take the sample. If the suspicion that the dog is indeed suffering from SRMA is confirmed, the next step is to determine the necessary therapy measures.
Prednisolone is often used in the treatment of dogs with SRMA. This is a synthetic glucocorticoid. In some cases, this is enough to control the meningitis arteritis. However, if this is not the case, the treatment may require the additional administration of other immunosuppressants. The therapy is quite lengthy and usually lasts half a year or even longer.
Prednisolone administration is associated with various side effects for dogs, especially when taken over a more extended period. Due to the immunosuppressive effect, it increases the susceptibility to infections, among other things. In addition, diabetes and changes in the bone structure are possible. Furthermore, water retention and weight gain, as well as digestive problems, may occur.
To keep the risks as low as possible, a veterinarian must administer the treatment of dogs with SRMA. Preparations such as prednisolone must never be dosed independently. Instead, the dosage must be individually adjusted to the respective dog by a veterinarian.
In principle, the chances of a complete recovery in dogs with SRMA are pretty good. However, as with many other canine diseases, early diagnosis and treatment of sterile suppurative meningitis-arteritis significantly impact the chances of recovery.
Regardless of this, it is quite possible for dogs that have supposedly overcome SRMA to suffer a relapse and need to be treated again. Estimates of the relapse rate are as high as 20 to 30 per cent.
Meningitis like SRMA is a severe matter in dogs. The earlier treatment is started, the better the chances are that your four-legged friend will make a full recovery.
Therefore, be sure to take possible symptoms of SRMA in your dog seriously and do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian promptly.
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