Causes and treatment of encephalitis

Encephalitis generally refers to inflammation of the meninges and brain parenchyma due to infectious or toxic agents. Encephalitis can develop in cats of different ages and is mostly acute or subacute. It can be divided into septic encephalitis and non septic encephalitis according to the nature of the lesion. Etiology ⒈ Non-suppurative encephalitis is usually due to an infectious disease and occurs most often during or after recovery. It can also be caused by bacterial toxins or poisoning by certain chemicals (e.g. lead). ⒉ septic encephalitis is mostly caused by bacterial infection after trauma or by the spread of septic foci in adjacent areas; it can also be caused by septic septicemia and thrombosis (but is uncommon); occasionally it is caused by parasitic larvae getting lost and accidentally entering the brain. 3. cat poisoning, such as ingestion of toxic substances leading to encephalitis. 4. cat bacterial infection leading to encephalitis, such as bacterial infection caused by untreated trauma. In addition to diagnosis based on general brain symptoms and focal symptoms, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests can be performed. Blood tests are mainly neutrophilic with leftward nuclear shift. Cerebrospinal fluid tests are of importance. During puncture, due to increased intracranial pressure, cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with increased protein and cell count is easily discharged; in case of septic encephalitis, the cerebrospinal fluid contains pathogenic microorganisms in addition to increased neutrophils. Symptoms When inflammation in cats progresses to the deep brain or when there are inflammatory foci in the deep brain, it can cause generalized paralysis or incomplete paralysis, dysmotility of the limbs, drooping eyelids, dilated pupils, paralysis of the optic nerve, bite muscles, pharyngeal muscles, larynx and tongue. The dog lies motionless and has a complete loss of external reactions. Most dogs with encephalitis have elevated body temperatures and a late loss of appetite. Treatment of encephalitis, regardless of the cause, is generally associated with a high mortality rate and occasional recovery with sequelae. Bacterial or secondary infections can be treated with drugs that easily cross the blood-brain barrier (e.g., sulfonamides, ampicillin, gentamicin. If necessary, sedatives such as phenobarbital (2-5 mg/kg body weight, 3 times daily, orally) or chlorpromazine (1-2 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) can be used. To reduce cerebral edema and anti-inflammatory use prednisone 1mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly, or 20% mannitol intravenously. Note that feline encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by infection, and there are no specific medications if it is caused by a virus.