Sushi update
 

Thank you all for your support and well wishes. Sushi does have GME. I have now spoken to the specialist and our regular vet. They have both told me to stay hopeful and postive. The prognosis is not good though. She has been given a chemotherapy type drug and will need to see the vet for additional doses every three weeks. She is also on Prednisone (steroids) daily. My ten year old assures me that miracles do happen. I am done crying for now and can pick the kids up after school without my sunglasses on. Your e-mails have made me feel better and less alone and silly for feeling so sad. With love and appreciation, Sushi's mom

I am so sad and feel so bad and wish I could do something for uou and Sushi. How old is Sushi? Do they know what causes this? Did it coincide with a recent vaccination by any chance? Just curious. It is possible that Sushi's diagnosis may allow the rest of us to become educated enough about the disease to maybe be able to prevent another dog from suffering the same fate. Can it be prevented?

I will ask my vet if he knows anything about it and let you know what he says.

My thoughts are with you.

Sushi and GME diagnosis
 

Though Sushi did receive vaccinations about eight weeks prior to getting sick, both my specialist and regular vet do not feel that this is the cause of her GME. There are other types of encephalitis that they have found to be brought on by vaccinations, but these are treatable, whereas GME is not. I have been told that it is much like trying to figure out why someone has a certain type of cancer... sometimes it just happens.

Sushi's mom, I am so sorry! I wish there was anything I could say that would ease your pain. I will continue to pray for Sushi to be healed...I'm with your 10 year old..I believe in miracles too! Big hugs.

Kathy and Sir Pepper

Kathy and Sir Pepper- Thanks for your support, understanding (I know that you really get what I am feeling!) and prayers. I am going to get through this by trusting in the wisdom of my ten year old.

With much appreciation and good wishes for you both, Sushi's mom

While I pray every day for Pepper and know Kathy very well - I'm adding your little Sushi to that prayer - I am so sorry about the diagnosis - but I can wish you the very best and hope it's mild - I don't know enough about this disease but I'm very very sorry your baby has it - Please hang in there and be strong - Hugs to you.

Hi Everyone-

I wanted to thank you all again. Sushi has responded well to her initial treatment and is taking her Prednisone well. I believe in the power of a prayer and appreciate those that have been sent our way!!!

best, Sushi's mom

Oh my.. my thoughts are prayers are with you.

I'm so sorry to hear about little Sushi! I'll be praying for healing for Sushi! Yes...miracles still happen! I'll also be praying for Pepper. What a terrible disease! Best wishes to you!

I have searched my Merch Vet manual and forund info about GME. You probably have had an overload about it, but if you would like the info I have, just PM me.
Prayers for you and yours are coming your way fro Rini's cuties,,

Hello Sushi's Mom
 

How is Sushi doing? The Vet thinks my Brandy has GME. She's been through a MRI and a spinal tap and the vet was hoping that the prednisone alone would help her. It has not. She can pull, push herself around but can't stand anymore. It came on quite suddenly. Once she rolls over on her back she has a hard time getting herself straightened out. There's not much information out there for this disease. I can't even find out how long my girl has left in her short little life. She was 3 years old this month. I am most curious if anyone has had positive progress with medical treatment. Thanks for any information you can give me.

So sorry! Hope its negative. In my prayers! MuffinsMom

That is so sad....I will keep Sushi. Pepper and Brandey in my Thoughts and Prayers.

From what I have quickly read ---it sounds like both of the above unfortunate diseases are genetic... something the poor little dogs were born with. And, certainly not caused by anything that was done to them.

How totally sad.

My dog had thrombocytopenia (another one of those words). The platelets in her blood were being destroyed by her immune system and this kept her blood from clotting. She was bleeding from her nose, ears, and rectum, and threw up blood all over the house. I went home from work to discover all of this one day. It scared me to death. She had transfusions, dozens of blood tests, 9 different medications including steroids for months, special food, intravenous fluids, and much more. Also she was diabetic - which complicated any treatment for the thrombocytopenia. No one expected her to live, but she did and she recovered totally.

It is so hard having a gravely ill pet. I feel very sorry for both of you. It appears that the prognoses are not good for either of the diseases you mentioned. This is especially sad.

Both of you please keep in touch. Everyone here is so sad to hear the news about your pets.

Carol Jean

Gme
 

This a nasty disease.
I saw it in two pups from a stud client about 12 yrs ago.. I told her we would not repeat the breeding. Her female and my male were totally unrelated..but like the vet said.."it happens"..all breeders who breed long enough will have problems, it is what you do about the problems that counts.
The female was spayed..the stud never produced the problem with any other female...and he retired at 8 years fo age.