Yorkie Encephalitis Any experts?

[Bunnies Mom]

Hello All,
Our little 2 year old Yorkie "Bunnie" had developed Yorkie Encephalitis at age 1.

We did the MRI and the spinal tap. All that was required to make the diagnosis.
He had lost most of his eye sight prior to the diagnosis.
However, the new problem.
He's been on Leflunomide 10 mg. All was going well. The vet suggested that we try to cut the dosage in half to see if he stayed stable.
Did so ... after 1 month .. we noticed that what little eye sight our dog had left - was gone. So now ... he's been on the full pill for 2 weeks. But completely blind. Does any one have any suggestions or experience on this?
I'm curious if prednizone in addition might help us get him back on track and regain some vision.

The Leflunomide had worked much better than prednizone as the dog doesn't drink so much and bloat up like on prednizone.
Anyone else dealing with this with their little baby?

[Yorkiemom1]

How tragic for you and your baby,,,,,,I have no experience or working nowledge on this, but wanted to you know how saddened I am for you and that poor little baby..... How did Bunnie get this, did the vet say?

[Yorkiemom1]

My post disappeared! Let me try again! I have no experience with this...how terrible for you and your Bunnie...did the vet say how Bunnie contracted this ? Have you had Bunnie to a specialist for this?

[kjc]

I would see this vet:

Dr Sisson will do phone consults and will work with your vet if you cannot make the trip... Dr Sissons contact info... he'll need copies of all tests... but call they'll tell you what to send.


Allen Sisson, D.V.M., M.S.,
Diplomate ACVIM Neurology/Neurosurgery
Angell Animal Medical Center
350 South Huntington Avenue
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tel: (617) 522-7282 (press 4, then 2 when the automated operator message begins or 6 to speak to someone)
Fax: (617) 989-1648
asisson@mspca.org

[YorkieChick1]

Hi Bunnie's Mom, sorry I don't know your name, My little girl Brooke has been fighting GME for 5 years. She was diagnosed when she was 1 in 2007 and Dr. Sisson is our neurologist. He is one of the main reasons that Brooke is alive today. Brooke is on 5 mg of leflunomide a day but she was on a high dose prednisone regimen first with a taper and now she will be on lef for life. She was in remission for almost 2 years but then relapsed and when we tried to take her off of leflunomide she relapsed again so she will remain on it. Was Bunnie (I have a yorkie named Bunny!) ever on high dose pred?? The prednisone is what brings down the inflammation of the brain which causes the pressure on the optic nerve and can cause the blindness but the more the inflammation is left without taking pred the more chance for permanent damage. I am part of a Yahoo group called NewGMEDogs, you should join, you will get support and a ton of good info. I will go look up the link for you. Take care, Nanci and Brooke

[YorkieChick1]

Here is the link for the GME yahoo group

NewGMEDogs : NewGMEDogs

[Verbena]

I do not have any experience with this. Just wanted to send a little hug and support for you and bunny

[Yorkie Mom 7]

Please send out your prayers for my little Felicia Baby. She is having an MRI today for neurological symptoms that sound similiar to this. All other tests have been normal for her so for, thankfully (Lab work, Ultrasound, Chesy x-ray). They wanted to rule out anything metastatic to the brain, but her symptoms are very much neurological. I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for a call and praying the test will turn out fine and she will be okay.
Her birthday is next week and she will be 15 on July 24th. She is a little angel baby and has been through a tough week.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Yorkie Mom 7

Please send out your prayers for my little Felicia Baby. She is having an MRI today for neurological symptoms that sound similiar to this. All other tests have been normal for her so for, thankfully (Lab work, Ultrasound, Chesy x-ray). They wanted to rule out anything metastatic to the brain, but her symptoms are very much neurological. I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for a call and praying the test will turn out fine and she will be okay.
Her birthday is next week and she will be 15 on July 24th. She is a little angel baby and has been through a tough week.

15 years?

[Yorkie Mom 7]

Yes next week is her birthday.

Neurologist confirmed on MRI that she does have encephalitis, but is hopeful that we caught it early and can get her well again.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Yorkie Mom 7

Yes next week is her birthday.

Neurologist confirmed on MRI that she does have encephalitis, but is hopeful that we caught it early and can get her well again.

I'll be praying for her... sweet baby. Get well soon! And an early 'Happy Birthday!'

[Yorkie Mom 7]

Thank you so much.

[lisaly]

I hope you have many more precious moments with Felicia, and that with your wonderful care of her, her neurological issues subside.

[magicgenie]

This is a fairly new challenge with some of the toy breeds. Dr. Sisson seems to be the world authority. It's a terrible disease with a poor prognosis. I wish I could help figure it out.

[Yorkie Mom 7]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I hope you have many more precious moments with Felicia, and that with your wonderful care of her, her neurological issues subside.

Originally Posted by magicgenie

This is a fairly new challenge with some of the toy breeds. Dr. Sisson seems to be the world authority. It's a terrible disease with a poor prognosis. I wish I could help figure it out.

Thank you so much. I just got off the phone with Felicia's doctor. She is better in some ways and the same in other ways. She is a long way off from being her normal little self. We're waiting for the results of the spinal tap to see which med. is the best choice for her. In the meantime, she has been started on Prednisone and this alone may bring her around fairly quickly. He is hoping with everything he has observed and MRI results etc. that she has the simpler type of encephalitis and they have better and quicker success rate with this. I am praying for a quick rebound for my baby. She's been through so much. She's never been away from home like this without me, so that adds to her stress -- mine too. The hospital she is at have been wonderful with her though and that helps ease my anxieties just a little. They are very loving and caring to her. They are going to allow her to come home today. She can get the meds at home, so I am praying that coming home will also be a help to perk her up. She's been hospitalized since Monday. She has a way to go yet in her recovery, but I am hopeful we can get her all well again and back to being her little playful self. I think having her back home will also perk up her sister, who has been depressed without her.

I have had 21 years of having yorkies and this is the first time I have encountered this and it is very frightening to see this happen to my little sweetheart. Thank God for experts who can pinpoint what it is and as soon as he read the reports and looked at her, he knew, but had to be certain through MRI. My heart goes out to anyone who goes through this with their little yorkie babies.

Thanks to everyone who have posted their kind words and their prayers. It is much appreciated. Please keep thos prayers coming. Thank you.