GME - Granulometous Meningioencephalomyelitis
 

My speciality vet thinks my 1.5 year Yorkie has Granulometous Meningioencephalomyelitis (GME). It is a fatal disease. Has anyone had any experience with this issue. We are doing a bunch of tests today to get the correct diagnosis.

:(

OMG I can't even SAY that word but I'm VERY VERY SORRY to hear this for you...Is there a chance it is NOT that ? If the tests come back positive is this the kind of thing that can be mis-diagnosed ? Can you try for a 2nd opinion ? It sounds like what a good friends yorkie has ....and it's very sad to see......You must be devestated and my heart goes out to you - Please let us know how things go - again - I'm very sorry !

ohh, i am soo sorry!! That is horrible, i hope that your vet is wrong and the test comes back negative. . . .

Oh I hope the tests come back negative. I have never heard of this before. What is it?

what is it?

I have not heard of this before and I am sorry about your baby Sushi. This is very heartbreaking I am sure for you. My heart goes out to you both now. :(

It's a brain disorder, here's some info:
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Granulometous meningioencephalomyelitis

Comments: I am looking for information on Granulomatous meningo encephalitis. Our ****z tsu Ollie is suffering from the above. He has had it now for almost a week, it came on very suddenly after being very active and fit, it came on within hours. He is now at a vetenary surgery paralysed and showing all the signs of meningitis, the vet is excellent and we have no complaints, but wish we could understand this illness more and what are the success rate for a recovery and how long does it normally take before the dog is up on his feet again



Answer: John-

Granulometous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) comes in three forms: localized, generalized and ocular.

Localized GME refers to the fact that a discrete area of the brain is affected. It can cause problems in a single activity or more generalized problems, depending on the exact area of the brain involved.

Generalized GME means that there is wide involvement of the brain tissue (diffuse damage). There are usually signs of several neurologic problems occurring at one time with this form of the disease.

Ocular GME affects the eyes, causes blindness and may or may not progress to one of the other forms.

Localized and ocular GME have a better prognosis than generalized GME. Dogs with local or ocular GME may live for years. Localized GME is often responsive to corticosteroids for very long times, as well, so the dog may have a good quality of life in addition to a longer life. Ocular GME doesn't seem to respond well to treatment based on limited experience with it -- but most dogs adjust to visual impairment pretty well so this may not be an important issue.

Unfortunately, generalized GME has a poor prognosis. The symptoms will sometimes resolve, or nearly resolve, pretty rapidly with therapy but it is necessary to continue using immunosuppressive medications, usually corticosteroids, life long. In most cases, the disease will become unresponsive to medications within a few weeks to several months and most pet owners opt for euthanasia when the signs become progressive and stop responding to therapy. When paralysis is present the most likely areas of the brain to be affected are the brain stem, but the cervical spinal cord can also sometimes be involved in the disease process. If the brain stem is involved, some dogs will be severely depressed or can even become comatose, if the response to therapy isn't good.

The differential diagnosis list for GME is pretty short. It can be confused with other forms of encephalitis (infectious, toxic) and with cancers affecting the brain. Hepatic encephalopathy can look a lot like GME but usually there are obvious signs of liver disease which make it possible to distinguish that toxic effects of liver disease are causing the neurologic signs.

There is no sure way to diagnose GME other than biopsy samples of the brain, which isn't a common procedure in veterinary medicine. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis can be helpful in ruling out other problems and hinting at GME. Computerized tomography (CT) scans or MRI scans can help rule out cancer and can help in identifying focal (local) areas of brain involvement.

Both local and generalized GME usually have to be treated continuously and treatment can not generally be withdrawn without a recurrence of symptoms. Generalized GME is almost always fatal. In most cases the prognosis for generalized GME is poor, but I have gotten at least one letter complaining that I was too pessimistic in my opinion of GME, based on a case in which one person's dog had been living with the disease well controlled for over a year.

It is usually necessary to use high doses of prednisone or other corticosteroids to get the symptoms to resolve but it is sometimes possible to use lower dosages for maintenance. An effort should be made to see if a lower dose will control the signs once they are well under control. Radiation therapy has been reported to help in a limited number of cases of GME.

I hope that this information is useful to you. I understand that sometimes people subscribe when they really want to hear better news than this. We will refund the subscription price under these circumstances if a request to do so is made.

Mike Richards, DVM
10/12/2003

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dgme.html
http://www.vetinfo.com/dgme.html

thank you fasteddie

oh noooooo!! sushi will be in my thoughts and prayers :(

Sushi is in my thoughts and prayers as well. :(

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. We should know more in the next 48 hours.

Sushi's Mom, My Yorkie, Pepper, has what we think is called "Cerebellar Abiotrophy". I'll copy and paste what I have found about this illness below. I just wanted to say that first I hope and pray that Sushi doesn't have GME or any other terrible illness. And second, that I am praying for you both! Watching Pepper's illness progress the way it has breaks my heart because I know now that he has the 2nd type of CA. Pepper is now what I call "Dingy" (almost seems drunk, can't stand or sit without falling over, can't eat or drink without me holding him up, vomits at least once a day...and so on) or his back legs won't support him and keep collapsing on him for about 65% of the time. I will keep checking back to see how your Sushi is doing! Big love and Bigger hugs,

Kathy and Sir Pepper

****
I finally found a clear description of what Pepper is going through!!! I am 99% sure this is what he has...

"What does cerebellar abiotrophy mean to your dog & you?

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that regulates the control and coordination of voluntary movement. The clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction in affected dogs may include poor balance, a wide-based stance (feet planted far apart), stiff or high-stepping gait, apparent lack of awareness of where the feet are (standing or walking with a foot knuckled over), and head or body tremors. These signs worsen either quickly or slowly (see breed list above). Affected dogs may become unable to climb stairs or stand without support. They have normal mental alertness.

Where other regions of the brain are also affected, you may see signs such as behaviour change (loss of house training, aggression), confusion, blindness, and seizures.

How is cerebellar abiotrophy diagnosed?

This is a rare disorder. The clinical signs are suggestive of cerebellar disease, particularly if they are seen in a breed in which abiotrophy is known to occur. Your veterinarian will do tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar signs.

For the veterinarian: Routine diagnostic tests are normal with this condition and a definitive diagnosis can only be made by brain biopsy or on post-mortem. MRI may be helpful in dogs in which there is gross cerebellar malformation; however generally with this condition, the cerebellum appears grossly normal. Histopathologic abnormalities are often minimal and do not seem to correlate with the severity of cerebellar signs. "
****
There are 2 types of this illness. In the first the symptoms go to a certain point and stay there. In the second, the symptoms continue to get worse until the dog is crippled and the only kind thing to do is put him to sleep. There is no treatment that I have been able to find, and Peppers vet doesn't know of any. Kathy

Kathy - it was so good of you to post - As someone who knows what you're going thru with Pepper (my hero) - I want to say thank you for being you - you always are so quick to offer help - and I know you can really relate to this thread - though I wish for BOTH of you - that we never heard of these illnesses and that your yorkies turn out completely healthy...but until that day arrives.... it's so good to see the comfort offered. It's just heartbreaking and I wish there were better words to say here.

sushi's_mom ...please let us know how the tests come out - Wishing for the best test results for you and your baby

Our prayers are with both of you.

you both are in my thoughts and prayers keep us posted.

I'm just wondering how Sushi is??? Have you gotten any results back yet? My prayers are with you! Big hugs.

Kathy and Sir Pepper

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.