# My Boston Terrier got a CT Scan and spinal tap this morning. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661 "2012-09-04T18:08:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/1 "2012-09-04T18:08:38Z")
Dec 23, 2011 I posted this thread about her seizure. > **[My Boston Terrier scared me this morning](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635971)** > > My Boston Terrier went outside this morning, peed and came back in. Her usual 3 year old excitement we see every day. She went down the hall into a bedroom. We suddenly heard this strange flop, flop sound. She was in the hall trying to use her back... No seizures since. But over the summer I began to notice her getting weak. She used to stand up on her back legs for treats. Can’t do it now without falling over. Even squatting to pee she sometimes winds up on her butt. It was so gradual a decline that we didn’t notice it until a few weeks ago. She still walks pretty good. Except her feet slide around more on my hardwood floors. Thankfully, we got a vet here that does neurology. Blood work was fine. He recommended a CT scan. $1000 :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: After much discussion our family decided we had to at least try to help this 4 year old dog. He found a brain lesion and called to recommend a spinal tap (more $$$). Vet seems optimistic this might be treatable. He’ll have the spinal tap results tomorrow. Been reading and some brain lesions are definitely curable. Gosh I hope they can help my poor baby girl. ☹ [Brain Lesions: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments](http://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-lesions-causes-symptoms-treatments). ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/2 "2012-09-04T19:55:41Z")
Hate to see this happen to pets…dogs perhaps most of all. Hoping there’s a solution that preserves her quality of life. All we can really do for them is make the time they have good. Give her a cuddle on behalf of our pack, please. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/3 "2012-09-04T20:17:07Z")
At only 4 years old? That’s very sad. After her spinal tap, point to her and tell your vet “This goes to 11.” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/4 "2012-09-05T01:29:43Z")
Vet says it’s encephalitis. Inflammation/infection in the brain. He’s treating it with antibiotics. All the test results won’t be in for a few days. He may change the antibiotic after seeing all the results. Vet seems fairly confidant that this will clear up most of her neurological issues. I’m hoping to see her walk steady and strong again. Should see some improvement in a week or so. It’s such a relief that he didn’t find a tumor or cancer. I just couldn’t have spent bucket loads of money for expensive treatments that might not work. The CT scan and spinal tap nearly broke me. But, I’m thankful the results look treatable so far. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/5 "2012-09-05T05:15:09Z")
Bostons are my favorite dogs, ever. I hope things work out! ---
**Author:** ![getitrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@getitrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/getitrite)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/6 "2012-09-05T05:28:45Z")
Oh my … first dog I ever had was a BT. The very best and braves, most loyal dog I ever had, took a rattlesnake bite to the face to save me… MY goodness hopes and prayers for you and your best friend too. I understand the vet bill too. A week in the hospital and lots of antiserum for mine but then it got better and so did the dog. Hang in there, big hug, hope it’s not from misquito bites, like west nile or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/7 "2012-09-06T14:04:39Z")
Glad to hear it’s treatable! Hope it clears up – keep us posted, please. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/8 "2012-09-06T14:24:36Z")
When you mentioned the term “brain lesion” I was thinking it was going to be something terrible. I’m happy to hear that it sounds like the pooch will be ok. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boston-terrier-got-a-ct-scan-and-spinal-tap-this-morning/633661/9 "2012-09-14T21:19:17Z")
Got the spinal tap lab results back. No infection was found. So, that rules out the infectious type of encephalitis. Mine has what is called idiopathic encephalitis. Which is treated with steroids like prednisone. We started my girl on it today. Interesting article on Dog encephalitis. My vet has done nearly everything in the article. CT Scan, Spinal tap, lab work on the spinal fluid, and now the steroid treatment. I’m very lucky to have a vet trained in neurology close by. He’s the only one in the state. [http://www.buzzle.com/articles/encephalitis-in-dogs.html](http://www.buzzle.com/articles/encephalitis-in-dogs.html) > [@](#): > > Veterinary treatment for idiopathic encephalitis in dogs involves the suppression of the immune system. As you can see, this is contrary to the treatment method for infectious type. Therefore, it is very necessary that the exact cause of encephalitis be diagnosed before starting with the cure. The treatment for idiopathic type of encephalitis generally involves high doses of a steroid prednisone. The treatment may take about 4-7 months. In some serious cases of encephalitis, more powerful immunosuppressants can be used. The effect of these medicines are somewhat similar to that of chemotherapy. Hence, regular blood work is required to rule out toxicity. A Japanese homeopathic product called Kampo is also known to be effective in treating encephalitis in dogs.