Encephalitis

[mikajo]

My 4.5 yr old female(spayed) yorkie has been diagnosed with encephalitis.

First part of treatment was Antibiotics and steroids, for 2 weeks. Once we started to decrease the steroids her symptoms came back and we almost lost her..The vet wanted to put her down ,right there..I was not going to give up with out a fight. He took her and with in 36 hours she was back to "normal". Our vet has never treated an animal for this and he promised he will do all that he can to learn to treat her.. She is now on 5mg twice a day of predisone.. It's been a week and I can slowly see some of the signs.. I will be calling him again in the morning for a check up...
My reason for posting is, i am wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what their treatment and outcome..Thank you for any response

[Yorkiemom1]

Years ago, I had a little dog with this issue....my vet at that time had not ever treated a pet with that disease, so I took that at face value and beat a trail to A&M Vet School....my baby was treated, survived and came home, where she lived out an additional 8 years.
I was not comfortable letting this vet use my precious baby as his learning experience.

[yorkiemini]

My previous Yorkie had this. She was treated by a neurological specialist and loved a great life for 7 more years. She died at age 11 with renal failure, most probably due to the years of medications.

[Shicks]

Most definitely see a specialist. Mine was seen by the best Vet Hospital in the country University of Tennessee Vet Hospital. He had GME, which was in his brain. Lived 2 years.

[lillymae]

I'm sorry you are having to go through this. How was this baby diagnosed ? as there are other things that can have these symptoms & can only be diagnosed with MRI. In my opinion any dog with neurological symptoms such as this needs an MRI to both make a proper diagnosis & rule out other things. A misdiagnosis of anything going on in the brain can mean the diff between life & death for the dog. Praying for this baby.

[mikajo]

Originally Posted by Shicks

Most definitely see a specialist. Mine was seen by the best Vet Hospital in the country University of Tennessee Vet Hospital. He had GME, which was in his brain. Lived 2 years.

GME is what she has been diagnosed with...He is suppose to contact me tomorrow about putting her on an anti viral medicine..What was your baby treated with and what her quality of life?..I am so heartbroken over this and I do not want her to suffer..

[Shicks]

Every time I try to reply to this thread I get directed back to log in

[mikajo]

Sissy was admitted 2 days ago,spent the night at the vet.. The vet switched her from predasone to .5mg of dexamethasone twice a days

[Shicks]

Originally Posted by mikajo

GME is what she has been diagnosed with...He is suppose to contact me tomorrow about putting her on an anti viral medicine..What was your baby treated with and what her quality of life?..I am so heartbroken over this and I do not want her to suffer..

So sorry. Titan was treated with steroids & chemo, a big round once a month at U.T. & a chemo pill everyday. It took 4 days & he was better. Lots of U.T visits, vet visits & thousands of dollars, & more & more medications. He left us just shy of 2 years from diagnosis. He did get back to his Yorkie self & I made every second count. Prayers for you & baby. This is a terrible horrible disease.

[Shicks]

How is Sissy? Please keep us posted, good or bad. You are going to need someone to listen who has experienced this cruel disease

[mikajo]

Originally Posted by Shicks

How is Sissy? Please keep us posted, good or bad. You are going to need someone to listen who has experienced this cruel disease

Sissy is doing ok..Not back to normal,but lots better.. While on the predasone,she would go 2 weeks and have to be taken in and spend the night at the vet and given a big dose and she would be fine for another 2 weeks...So He switched her medicines to dexamethsone, she seems a little sluggish,but perks right up when food or something exciting is going on..this is day 3 on it,so we shall see how well this works for her..
I have been reading that it is hard on their bones..What kind of supplements would you recommend, to counter some of the side effects?


Sorry if this is confusing, I don't write out my thoughts well..lol

I am Mika Yocum on facebook if you have and would like to add

[Shicks]

Originally Posted by mikajo

Sissy is doing ok..Not back to normal,but lots better.. While on the predasone,she would go 2 weeks and have to be taken in and spend the night at the vet and given a big dose and she would be fine for another 2 weeks...So He switched her medicines to dexamethsone, she seems a little sluggish,but perks right up when food or something exciting is going on..this is day 3 on it,so we shall see how well this works for her..
I have been reading that it is hard on their bones..What kind of supplements would you recommend, to counter some of the side effects?


Sorry if this is confusing, I don't write out my thoughts well..lol

I am Mika Yocum on facebook if you have and would like to add

Sorry not on face book. Unfortunately there's not much out there that will counteract side affects with these medications. Please ask your Vet. Maybe something has come along since my baby. Actually all the meds. Caused my baby to have a fatal bout with pancreatictist, he just couldn't shake it and it was real fast. So Sissy responding to the new meds? Are there other treatments they may try? Please keep me informed Bless you

[Shicks]

Any updates on Sissy? Very concerned.

[Shicks]

Sissy updates please.

[Rachael1983]

Originally Posted by Shicks

So sorry. Titan was treated with steroids & chemo, a big round once a month at U.T. & a chemo pill everyday. It took 4 days & he was better. Lots of U.T visits, vet visits & thousands of dollars, & more & more medications. He left us just shy of 2 years from diagnosis. He did get back to his Yorkie self & I made every second count. Prayers for you & baby. This is a terrible horrible disease.

To the OP, My Troy passed away from GME 3 years ago. I ended up putting him down once he became to lethargic to eat and drink. This is an awful disease with a poor prognosis and Shicks is right that its very expensive to maintain even for a little while.

I do hope your pup is provided as much comfort as possible. I can say that after getting Emma, my breeder actually mentioned there's some research that suggests that some of the combination vaccines that are offered these days have contributed to neurological disorders in otherwise healthy small dogs. I've steered away from the combo vaccines and lepto for this reason.