Meningoencephalitis - Cytostar?

[cbiesold]

Hello! I have a 2.5 year old female Yorkie name Zoosa. This past weekend she was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis - confirmed with MRI. She was immediately put on prednisone and a Cytostar infusion (a chemo drug). I don't like either medication but she has improved about 80%. Does anyone have experience with giving Cytostar (cytarabine) to their yorkie? Or experience with treating meningoencephalitis? Thanks so much for your help!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by cbiesold

Hello! I have a 2.5 year old female Yorkie name Zoosa. This past weekend she was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis - confirmed with MRI. She was immediately put on prednisone and a Cytostar infusion (a chemo drug). I don't like either medication but she has improved about 80%. Does anyone have experience with giving Cytostar (cytarabine) to their yorkie? Or experience with treating meningoencephalitis? Thanks so much for your help!

I am so very sorry. Do you know the type of meninoencepalitis? I can tell you one thing: if you don't give those meds she will quickly decompansate. We had a foster years ago who had GME. She lived for some time on Cytosar but sadly there was a shortage of the med and the substitute did not help her. I can't recall the year but it was so sad because people and pets who needed it could not get it. So, yes, the medication is effective.

I had a foster in 2021 who came to us with suspected neuro issues. She came to us very debilatated and we had her in a specialty hospital for 2 weeks. She showed some improvement and was discharged on prednisone. On her first visit after the hospitalization, they tapered the prednisone and she went down hill quickly and we were unab le to save her. Because she had been so ill, the specialists were holding off on the MRI as she was not stable enough. The thought was that she could have it after putting some much needed weight on. Her passing was devastating and we opted to do a necropsy. It showed that she had necrotizing encephalitis. The only thing that made us feel a bit better was the her NE was widespread and there was nothing we could have done to save her. Her brain was actually dying.

So, I am sharing those two pups' stories with you to show you that these pups with these conditions need medications. There is no way they will survive without the meds.

The prognosis varies from dog to dog and much depends on what it is. GME. NME, or NLE. Also depends on if it is in one area of the brain or spread throughout. Your vet could give you that information.

I can try to find some links for you with good info. I have seen dogs live fairly long lives. There are so many variables.

I am sorry you are dealing with this and do hope Zoosa continues to show improvement.

[ladyjane]

This is a great link on GME:


https://marvistavet.com/granulomatou...alitis-gme.pml

[cbiesold]

Thank you for the link. They did not tell me what type of encephalitis. I will email and ask. I feel like I am really stuck as the cytostar is so very toxic (the adverse events are awful - listed on drugs.com) - so many of them are happening to 10% or more - yet it also appears to be effective.
It is such a terrible disease. The vet thinks there could be a possible link as her symptoms started just two days after starting a new flea/tick medication....

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by cbiesold

Thank you for the link. They did not tell me what type of encephalitis. I will email and ask. I feel like I am really stuck as the cytostar is so very toxic (the adverse events are awful - listed on drugs.com) - so many of them are happening to 10% or more - yet it also appears to be effective.
It is such a terrible disease. The vet thinks there could be a possible link as her symptoms started just two days after starting a new flea/tick medication....

She is at the age this begins. I doubt it has anything to do with the flea prevention....I suppose it could, but honestly it would not matter now if she is diagnosed. It is not something that can go untreated no matter the cause.

Yes, it is a horrible disease. I actually cringe when I hear about it. I understand about the medicine but ALL meds have side effects. I don't know what her symptoms were like before but I have seen quite a few GME dogs and I can tell you that not treating is way worse and definitely shortens their lives.

Did they biopsy the CSF? That is what would really diagnose the type. It's an add on when they do the MRI

[ladyjane]

Another link. This one discusses the various meds used. You might want to speak with them about what alternatives might be used if you choose not to use the Cytosar.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-p...unknown-origin

[ladyjane]

Just checking....hope all is ok with little Zoosa.