New considerations about inflammatory brain diseases in cats and dogs

摘要

Background: Inflammatory brain diseases are relatively common causes of CNS disease in dogs and cats but its overall incidence in the veterinary species is currently unknown. They can be associated with infectious agents (such as bacteria, virus, protozoa and fungi) or autoimmune causes. Achieving a definitive diagnosis can be challenging in most cases, as this would require obtaining samples from the CNS for histological examination and that would pose high risks to the patient and is associated with significant financial cost. In practice, clinicians use a combination of clinical, imaging and laboratory test findings to achieve a presumptive diagnosis, so an in-depth understanding of the most common conditions is essential in order to plan appropriate diagnostic investigations. Aim of the article: This article reviews the latest knowledge on inflammatory brain diseases in companion animals, including current thoughts on aetiology, treatment options and prognostic factors.