HELP:yorkie encephalitis/necrotizing encephalitis - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bootsy · 08-15-2009, 04:18 PM

Hello everyone- I am new here, and stumbled across this forum while searching for information on yorkie encephalitis.

My precious 3 lb girl Bootsy was diagnosed with yorkie encephalitis. She underwent an mri, and although the neurologist was unable to get a csf (spinal fluid sample), she is 95% sure she has this type and not GME.

She is currently on prednisone, cyclosporine, immodium, (for the diarrhea from the prednisone), and pepcid. The vet is not optimistic, and thinks she will have to be euthanized in the very near future.

Can anyone offer any help, suggestions, success stories?

Any input is greatly appreciated- Thanks so very much-

Wend · 08-15-2009, 05:06 PM

I am sorry I have no experience with this. I just wanted offer moral support! That is hard! Hopefully someone here will have some knowledge on this and can advise you.

Bootsy · 08-16-2009, 05:01 AM

Thank you Wend for your kind words- I am utterly devastated and don't know where to turn, as the vet says it is hopeless.

dwerten · 08-16-2009, 05:45 AM

so sorry wish i knew more about this to help you

4doggiemama · 08-16-2009, 10:42 AM

Is this vet a specialist? I'd check with a specialist before I'd accept the word 'hopeless.' And I am so sorry that you are going through this. It is all consuming when a little furbaby is sick. ~Joanne~

Bootsy · 08-16-2009, 01:29 PM

yes, she is a neurologist who wrote extensively on this condition.

winniebencosme · 10-21-2009, 01:48 PM

How is your yorkie Bootsy doing now? My yorkie has been in treatment for almost a year now with yorkie encephalitis. He goes to the Animal Medical Center.

JonlyCajunQueen · 10-21-2009, 08:12 PM

We are praying for you and your furbaby! God Bless

Bootsy · 10-22-2009, 07:52 AM

Bootsy is responding well to cortisone/cyclosporine treatment, but unfortunately got ringworm as a result of her immunosuppressed state. My daughter and I both got ringworm as well... We are hoping to clear up the ringworm, and continue w/ her treatment for the encephalitis- fingers crossed-
What meds are you using for your little one?

winniebencosme · 10-22-2009, 11:01 AM

we just started cyclosporine this past monday. He is on 1 pill of prednisone per day and was getting chemo treatment (cytosar) every three weeks, but we realized the chemo wasn't doing much for the little guy. He's had a yeast infection in his left ear due to his immunosuppressed state and currently getting ear drops as well.

Bootsy · 10-22-2009, 01:15 PM

I hope your yorkie continues to do well. This is the problem w/ these meds, it is easy to pick up infections when they are immunosuppressed... Lots of good luck, and thanks for posting- it as given me hope-

lillygirl · 11-21-2009, 06:53 AM

My yorkie is currently going through the same thing. SHe is on predisone daily and had her first dose of chemo. I am worried about giving her the chemo anymore- because it can be toxic to them. I believe this is caused by an overdose of vaccines and possibly their flea and tick/heartworm medicine. I went to smithridge in westchester, ny- a holistic vet and they agree with the predisone for now and they gave me a bunch of natural medicines as well. I noticed you mentioned you didn't think the chemo did much- any insight you can give me on this I would appreciate. I just don't want to do the wrong thing. She has vision in one eye and the other eye is still not great. Her tounge and legs can get shaky at times too. Please anyone let me know what you think.

winniebencosme · 11-23-2009, 10:47 AM

well, I should clarify that my yorkie's chemo treatment worked really well for over nine months. He was diagnosed last year 11/20/08 along with the prednisone. As you know, this disease is a very serious neurological disease where time is of essence, so even though I would like to believe in natural medicines, I am very skeptical. The prognosis for this disease is often very grave. So I'm grateful my yorkie is still alive today, though I know he is living on borrowed time. Any how, we tried another chemo agent - Lomustine four weeks ago. Lately, my yorkie Eli, has shown some gradual improvements. Any small signs of improvement is a huge cause for celebration in my household.

08-15-2009, 04:18 PM	#1
Bootsy No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	HELP:yorkie encephalitis/necrotizing encephalitis Hello everyone- I am new here, and stumbled across this forum while searching for information on yorkie encephalitis. My precious 3 lb girl Bootsy was diagnosed with yorkie encephalitis. She underwent an mri, and although the neurologist was unable to get a csf (spinal fluid sample), she is 95% sure she has this type and not GME. She is currently on prednisone, cyclosporine, immodium, (for the diarrhea from the prednisone), and pepcid. The vet is not optimistic, and thinks she will have to be euthanized in the very near future. Can anyone offer any help, suggestions, success stories? Any input is greatly appreciated- Thanks so very much-

08-15-2009, 05:06 PM	#2
Wend YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lehi Posts: 403	I am sorry I have no experience with this. I just wanted offer moral support! That is hard! Hopefully someone here will have some knowledge on this and can advise you. __________________ Wend

08-16-2009, 10:42 AM	#5
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,290	Is this vet a specialist? I'd check with a specialist before I'd accept the word 'hopeless.' And I am so sorry that you are going through this. It is all consuming when a little furbaby is sick. ~Joanne~ __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

10-21-2009, 08:12 PM	#8
JonlyCajunQueen Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 749	Prayers coming your way!! We are praying for you and your furbaby! God Bless __________________ Jolie'', *Candace,* *Zoey* , Zack & Gizmo

11-21-2009, 06:53 AM	#12
lillygirl YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maplewood, NJ Posts: 2	help My yorkie is currently going through the same thing. SHe is on predisone daily and had her first dose of chemo. I am worried about giving her the chemo anymore- because it can be toxic to them. I believe this is caused by an overdose of vaccines and possibly their flea and tick/heartworm medicine. I went to smithridge in westchester, ny- a holistic vet and they agree with the predisone for now and they gave me a bunch of natural medicines as well. I noticed you mentioned you didn't think the chemo did much- any insight you can give me on this I would appreciate. I just don't want to do the wrong thing. She has vision in one eye and the other eye is still not great. Her tounge and legs can get shaky at times too. Please anyone let me know what you think.

08-16-2009, 05:01 AM	#3
Bootsy No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	Thank you Wend for your kind words- I am utterly devastated and don't know where to turn, as the vet says it is hopeless.

08-16-2009, 05:45 AM	#4
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	so sorry wish i knew more about this to help you

08-16-2009, 01:29 PM	#6
Bootsy No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	yes, she is a neurologist who wrote extensively on this condition.

10-21-2009, 01:48 PM	#7
winniebencosme YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 5	How is your yorkie Bootsy doing now? My yorkie has been in treatment for almost a year now with yorkie encephalitis. He goes to the Animal Medical Center.

10-22-2009, 07:52 AM	#9
Bootsy No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	Bootsy is responding well to cortisone/cyclosporine treatment, but unfortunately got ringworm as a result of her immunosuppressed state. My daughter and I both got ringworm as well... We are hoping to clear up the ringworm, and continue w/ her treatment for the encephalitis- fingers crossed- What meds are you using for your little one?

10-22-2009, 11:01 AM	#10
winniebencosme YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 5	we just started cyclosporine this past monday. He is on 1 pill of prednisone per day and was getting chemo treatment (cytosar) every three weeks, but we realized the chemo wasn't doing much for the little guy. He's had a yeast infection in his left ear due to his immunosuppressed state and currently getting ear drops as well.

10-22-2009, 01:15 PM	#11
Bootsy No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 5	I hope your yorkie continues to do well. This is the problem w/ these meds, it is easy to pick up infections when they are immunosuppressed... Lots of good luck, and thanks for posting- it as given me hope-

11-23-2009, 10:47 AM	#13
winniebencosme YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 5	well, I should clarify that my yorkie's chemo treatment worked really well for over nine months. He was diagnosed last year 11/20/08 along with the prednisone. As you know, this disease is a very serious neurological disease where time is of essence, so even though I would like to believe in natural medicines, I am very skeptical. The prognosis for this disease is often very grave. So I'm grateful my yorkie is still alive today, though I know he is living on borrowed time. Any how, we tried another chemo agent - Lomustine four weeks ago. Lately, my yorkie Eli, has shown some gradual improvements. Any small signs of improvement is a huge cause for celebration in my household.