What is Meningioma?

Meningioma is the the most common brain tumor in dogs. Some sources say it is especially prevelant in short muzzled, dome skulled breeds like chihuahuas, pugs, pekingese and boxers. It is also prevalent in labrador retrievers. The tumors cling to the outer membranes, called meninges, that cover the outside of the brain.

Is it cancer?
Meningioma is a benign tumor. That means it won't spread to other sites within the body like a malignant tumor would. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's still an abnormal mass formed of erratically growing, out of control cells. That means, unless treated, the meningioma will continue to grow larger and larger.

How does it affect the brain?
The brain is contained within the skull. Because the skull is made of bone, it can't expand as the tumor grows. So as the tumor gets bigger, it compresses the brain. The brain tries to compensate as best it can, and tries to function in increasingly smaller space. The pressure inside the skull increases as the tumor grows. As this happens, more symptoms occur, or existing symptoms get worse.

How does this affect my dog?
The symptoms your dog displays depend on such things as the size and location of the tumor. Your dog may show certain symptoms, while another dog may have others. Seizures are probably the most telling, and perhaps most alarming symptom.

Is it curable?
Treatments are available that can prolong your dog's life, help manage symptoms and make him more comfortable.

What if we don't know for sure if it's a brain tumor?
The symptoms of a brain tumor can be easily confused with many other illnesses. However, if your dog is older than five and begins to have seizures, it is safe to say that the most likely cause is a brain tumor. Dogs who have epilepsy are usually younger than five when the seizures begin. The best thing to do is to have your dog examined by a veterinary neurologist as soon as possible. This specialist in diseases of the nervous system in dogs is your best source for experience in diagnosing and treating a possible brain tumor.

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