Can anyone tell me exactly what this will test for. Is it only Meningitis. If it fails to find anything ... what more will a scan tell me. The dog in question is very unsteady in his gait, and holds his head drastically to one side .. but is otherwise very bright and alert.

The test is usually done to see if there is any evidence of meningitis-is this what your vet thinks it is? Dogs who do have meningitis are normally very ill (like people can be) with a high temperature, fever and difficulty walking. How old is your dog? Some older dogs can get vestibular syndrome where the most common sign is a head tilt, but many dogs can otherwise carry on as normal depending upon how severe it is.

Thanks Vicky, well the spinal tap has ruled our Meningitis, it is not vestibular syndrome ... in fact nobody knows what is wrong with the dog. He is an 8 year old lurcher ... his walking is twisted, his head tilts but he is generally bright. The vets are currently guessing at spinal disc problem .. but I am not convinced as the Vet thinks this wouldnt affect the head tilt. It is puzzling and very frustrating ...

Yes I think it sounds safe to say that it's not Meningitis which is a huge relief. My Weim bitch suffered Meningitis and I wouldn't wish that on any dog. We came very close to losing her, she was only 7mths old at the time and was seriously ill in hospital. Her head didn't tilt though you could tell her neck was really sore as she couldn't really move it and her back end was all over the place, she had a very high temperature, was groaning and wouldn't eat. The meningitus has now left her immune defficient although when we had a titre test done we found she had full immunity to Parvo and Distemper but no immunity to Leptospirosis and Hepatitus.

She was initially treated for a slipped disc and it wasn't until she got so ill and we insisted on rushing her to the specialist that we found out what was really wrong. We also suspect she's had Meningitis a second time but this time we were so quick with the antibiotics and steriods that it couldn't be confirmed. Fingers crossed we never have to go down that road again.

I hope your vet gets to the bottom of the problem, have you been to see a specialist? Please keep us informed of any progress, I hope the dog is feeling better soon.

Thanks Claire ... yes we have been to most expensive specialist in NW ... so far £1300 has been spent (no insurance) and no diagnosis either .... It is not my dog but a close friend of mines ... we are desparate for some links or suggestions. Jenny,(the friend) will do anything for her dogs but has no bottomless pit of money (I know she should have insured him but it just never happened). The specialist is suggesting a scan at a cost of £700!!!

Sadly it was confirmed by scan yesterday that Roger has a brain tumor. He was taken to Cambridge for the scan and although now on massive doses of steroids is likely to be put to sleep in the very near future.

These symptoms have been going on for months and my friend has paid for many sub treatments along the way .. removal of grass seeds from ear, antibiotics against infection, spinal tap etc etc. A long time ago she asked her vet whether it could be a brain tumour .. he replied no the dog would be dead now if it were. 3 months later and much money that is the outcome. Jenny was never referred to a neurologist by her vets, she went to someone in Manchester who preferred to option of Meningitis and charged a phenomenal sum of money before saying that was clear, then tried further antibiotics .. never really talking to Jenny about all the possibilities.

Everyone at this moment feels let down .. but I guess that is life and that is because we all love Roger.