Gait – Unsteadiness, stumbling or staggering. Difficulty on uneven ground or difficulty with stairs.

Personality – The dog may show unexplained aggression, or may become docile or puppy like.  He may become less affectionate, or develop obsessive behaviors, like vocalizing, pacing, licking, “fly-biting” or a compulsion to eat.

Mental ability – Forgetting commands, failure to recognize familiar people.  Becoming lost in familiar places. Mental confusion or a glazed expression.

Housebreaking accidents – Loss of bladder or bowel control in a dog that was previously housebroken.

Appetite – Your dog may lose his desire to eat. On the other hand, he may become ravenous.

Sensory problems - Some dogs lose their sight, their hearing or even their sense of smell.

Seizures – May range from partial (focal) to grand mal. Seizures generally become worse as the tumor gets larger. Cluster seizures (several seizures one after another over a short period of time) may develop. If the tumor is not treated, seizures become more and more difficult to control as the disease progresses.

Pain - The dog may whine, whimper or even yipe without apparent reason. He may shake or scratch his head or rub it against objects.  The dog may choose to sleep on the floor, rather than a bed, so that it can rest its head on the solid floor.

Geriatric Separation Disorder – First identified by Dr. Nicholas Dodman, this problem occurs when a dog begins awakening at night for no apparent reason. The dog may whine, pace or seem restless.  The dog seems to want attention, but is difficult to console.

Difficult breathing - This is an important sign if it happens while your dog is sleeping. Breathing may stop and start or seem labored.  Breathing problems occur when the tumor puts pressure on the mid-brain, affecting involuntary breathing reflexes.

Don't try to diagnose this yourself!
Symptoms alone are not enough to positively diagnose a brain tumor. Many of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases, so you'll want to rule those out to make sure you dog receives the appropriate treatment.
     If your veterinarian suspects your dog has a brain tumor, but is not sure, the best thing to do is to make an appointment for a consultation with a veterinary neurologist. You can probably find one at your state college of veterinary medicine. Large clinics in major cities might also have one on staff.  A veterinary neurologist is likely to have experience with canine brain tumors and access to the tools needed to diagnose and treat the disease. If you hope to extend your dog's life, don't put off this step. Early diagnosis and treatment will improve your dog's chances for a longer life.
     For more information about canine meningioma, we invite you to visit our website, JoJo Reader, at www.jojoreader.com.

JoJo Foundation for Meningioma Research.
Additional research into meningioma brain tumors could help find better ways to help dogs suffering from the disease. Because meningioma in dogs is similar in humans, any new findings could help human sufferers too. To raise money for this effort, we have established a fundraising effort in honor of our dog, JoJo, who passed away from meningioma July 21, 1999. All funds are sent directly to the University of Illinois which administers the fund.  Contributions are tax deductible. We most gratefully appreciate your support.

Please send your contribution to:
      University of Illinois Companion Animal
      Memorial Fund

      Please write in the memo portion of the check:
      JoJo Meningioma Research Fund.
      (This will ensure that the funds are earmarked for
      meningioma research.)

Send checks to:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
      College of Veterinary Medicine
      3229 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building
      2001 South Lincoln Ave.
      Urbana, Illinois 61801

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