Identification

• Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes the meninges, or tissue layers that surround the brain, to swell.
  
  

Symptoms

• Fever, muscle stiffness, back spasms, depression, lethargy and loss of appetite are all symptoms of feline meningococcal meningitis. When left untreated, meningococcal meningitis can cause blindness, paralysis, seizures, confusion and behavioral changes. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, and testing is required to confirm a case of meningococcal meningitis.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is made on the basis of blood and urine tests. If a definitive diagnosis is needed, a CT scan and spinal tap are performed. These tests are costly and time consuming, and most doctors prescribe medication before the results are found.
  
  

Time Frame

• Meningococcal meningitis is a severe, debilitating disease. Even when caught early, it may take up to four months for a cat to recover from meningitis.
  
  

Warning

• All forms of meningitis in cats are exceedingly rare, and are often a result of an immune-compromised state. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a doctor who specializes in feline meningitis care.