Can a dog survive acute encephalitis?

If a dog pulls through an acute encephalitis episode, get it to a vet immediately to find the cause and treat it — vets use anti-inflammatories, sedatives and drugs to lower brain pressure, plus oxygen if breathing is troubled. Be prepared for long-term care; recovery is possible. If you can't reach a vet at once, calming and anti-inflammatory vet meds and nutritious food can help. Encephalitis varies by location and cause — purulent (head trauma), parasitic (larvae in brain) or non-purulent (e.g., rabies).