Bailey’s Story

Age at diagnosis: 7 years 8 months

Breed: Boston Terrier

Hi, my name is Arianne and this is our seven year old Boston Terrier, Bailey. Bailey is a much loved member of our family and, sadly, she was diagnosed with MUO in May 2025 after taking seizures and being unable to walk. We took Bailey to the emergency vets where she had an overnight stay and medication to stop the seizures. We thought we had lost her then, due to the seizures lasting so long and being so violent. Bailey was referred to a neurologist and we were told by the vets that, due to her age, this was likely a tumor and we feared the worst. Three days later Bailey had taken a turn for the worst and was in a lot of pain and highly distressed. Luckily she was seeing the neurologist that day at the hospital, who managed to save her. Bailey had fluid in her brain and was going blind. She had an MRI and spinal tap and this confirmed Meningitis of Unknown Origin, which is caused by the immune system attacking the brain and spinal cord. Unfortunately the prognosis wasn't good as the type of meningitis was likely NME — necrotising meningitis. Bailey started chemotherapy and a high dose of steroids, as well as anti-seizure medication, and improved significantly. When we picked her up she was unsteady and falling over but could walk and see us! With three weekly chemo Cytarabine infusions she was slowly getting back to the girl we loved. The chemotherapy was to suppress her immune system initially and to keep her alive so that she didn't relapse. She will continue on a high dose of steroids and anti-seizure medication. MUO is unfortunately a lifelong disease, although many dogs with continued treatment live happy lives. Bailey's emergency vet visit, two subsequent vet visits, and hospital treatment and tests were over £6,000. This included an MRI, spinal tap, lifesaving treatment, 3 vet visits and an overnight in hospital, as well as her first chemo session. We had insurance, however it was only £5k and a lot of this was used up for diagnosis, with the chemo at £500 per time. We had to set up a GoFundMe page after savings and credit cards were being used, and raised £500, which we were so grateful for. We continued the chemotherapy sessions for as long as we could and she had 8 in total. I was nervous about stopping these without another immunosuppression drug, however the neurologist felt she was doing well. Fast forward to today and she is now on 2mg steroids, where she started with 10mg. Bailey is a little chunk now due to the steroids but we wouldn't have her any other way! She is loving life and enjoying her walks, treats and toys, and we are so grateful she is still with us — as I know this disease can be so cruel and unpredictable. 💕

Bailey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oorbaileyboston?igsh=OW9sM3E5enJtNzlw

Bailey is part of The Theo Project's canine meningitis registry - a growing global collection of MUE, MUO and SRMA stories shared to help families facing this diagnosis.