Guest LovesDoggies Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I've posted about my boy Bruce on here several times before. Here is one of the more recent posts for background info: Bruce's Background Info After Bruce's MRI in New Jersey, I attempted to transition his care to a local neurologist in Connecticut. After several visits locally and a spinal tap, I had much difficultly in getting any closer to a definitive diagnosis. The last I spoke with the CT neurologist, she mentioned that a brain biopsy would be the next step toward diagnosis (which my regular vet thought was ridiculous) and offered no real treatment plan. In early March, still searching for answers, I posted on the tick list that Diane often speaks of and fortunately (thank you, Diane!) received a response from someone on that list that it sounded like my Bruce had GME (Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis) and that I should e-mail Dr. Sisson in Boston, that he specializes in this disorder and that he would probably review Bruce's records via e-mail. I promptly contactly Dr. Sisson, who e-mailed me right back (!!) and then I forwarded all of Bruce's records to him via e-mail. He agreed that GME was most likely Bruce's diagnosis and agreed to review Bruce's MRI and see Bruce that same week. Two days later, I took Bruce to Boston. Dr. Sisson met with us for over 2.5 hours, which is really unheard of for specialists. He treats GME agressively. Most vets don't. I am so fortunate to have found him. Bruce is under a one year treatment plan now. He is taking an immunosuppressant for a year, and prednisone for three months. Most doctors will treat GME with prednisone only, for as long as they can, until the dog eventually succumbs to the disease. GME is very rare in greyhounds. It is more common in smaller dogs. Dr. Sisson said that factors like Bruce's young age and good health both indicate that he will go into remission. The only factor going against him is the delay in his diagnosis. As part of his treatment plan, Bruce's prednisone is being gradually tapered so he is now on a lower dosage. I notice when he runs toward the door to come in from a break that he doesn't run completely straight like his brother Butch, which does make me worry. But, maybe it's just the angle. Maybe I just worry too much. I don't know. Please send good thoughts for my boy Bruce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Of course--coming your way. Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Special prayers for Bruce Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sending prayers for Bruce. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 it's got to feel better to at least have a diagnosis, huh?! sending tons of prayers :hope Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 So glad you found a really responsive and competant doctor that can help Bruce. Sending loads of prayers and light for recovery and excellent health. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest larock Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I'm glad you have a diagnosis and are starting treatment; our greyhound Ward was diagnosed with GME in 2004, so I do feel for what you've gone through to get to this point. We will keep Bruce in our thoughts and pray that he goes into remission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greys2cats Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Hi, Just wanted to add my prayers for Bruce and my experience w/GME. Last year in March, my Sara was diagnosed w/GME, she came close to dying from it, she was diagnosed at Mass Vet Referral Hospital by the neurologist(Dr Silver) who did a spinal and MRI on her the same day I brought her in. She had multifocal GME, several areas of the brain had inflammation as well as her spinal column. She was treated aggressively w/prednisone, antibiotics, phenabarbitol, she had seizures from the inflammation, she could not walk, had severe truncal sway, pepcid for her stomach. After 4 days on these meds, she got worse, and the doctor pushed a chemo drug, CYTARABINE, through her IV. This drug saved her life, the prednisone alone could not kill the high white count she had. She was able to come home 2 days later and walked out of that hospital, it was truely amazing, a miraculous recovery. She was put on an aggressive treatment pan that included chemo shots, pred., phenabarb, pepcid and it was for 10 months, originally it was for a year, she was tapered off all of it in December. She walks, runs , plays and has been doing great. I wanted to offer her story for hope, that Bruce can put his horrible disease in remission. Sara was almost 6 when she got sick, she will be 7 on June 30. Please feel free to PM me if you need to talk about this, GME is not common in Greys, there are a few of us on GT who have experienced it. Quote Roberta & Michael with Furkids- Flower (Shasta Flowers 6/7/06) & Rascal the kitty - Missing our sweet angels - Max(M's Mad Max) 10/12/02 - 12/3/15, Sara (Sara Raves 6/30/01 - 4/13/12) Queenie & Pandora the kitties - gone but never forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sending many prayers for Bruce. I'm glad you got answers and proper treatment for him. Please post a picture of Bruce, when you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 :hope :hope :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyE Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Bruce's sister, Scout, is sending kisses and nudges. I'm sending good thoughts for Bruce and his Mama. Quote Patty, Mom to Jaxson 5/12/2017 Forever in my heart: Joey 11/01/2007 to 12/06/2018, Scout 11/19/2005 to 07/15/15 and Jack 01/03/2004 to 06/11/2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LovesDoggies Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 This is sweet Bruce. He is a total love dove. The only good thing about my bringing him to so many veterinary apptmts is that he literally walks in the door before me and greets people in the waiting area before I can manage to get in the door! Don't worry, I'm just one second behind him (remember, I'm the one that has to open the door) so I'm able to maneurver him quickly away from anyone who might not want a doggie visitor, but he really does just walk right up to people and stick his head right up close for some attention and he LOVES it!! Then we have to make our rounds. People always ask questions, and I've given lots of people advice about where they can look for more information about greyhounds and adoption. They always ask -- are they all so sweet? And, his fur is super super soft too, which people also love (and, I do too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotaina Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 GME is very rare in greyhounds. It is more common in smaller dogs. Dr. Sisson said that factors like Bruce's young age and good health both indicate that he will go into remission. The only factor going against him is the delay in his diagnosis. Not that rare - I know at least two other greyhounds with it and those are from my adoption group alone and I think there's another one here on GT. I wonder if it just goes undiagnosed a lot so it's under-reported in greyhounds? Anyway, my good friend's dog survived two years with GME (I think he was 4 or 5 when he was diagnosed), but he got to where he couldn't tolerate the meds any more and if they took him off the meds, he would relapse. Until he got to that stage, however, he would go about 6 weeks between relapses. He was on pred long term (which for him adversely affected both behavior and skin, among other things) and was also taking cyclosporine, though I think they switched up his meds at some point and I don't know what they put him on. Best wishes for a long remission for Bruce. It's not a great diagnoses, but at least you have one and there are treatment options available. Quote Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi."Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I was just thinking about you I am so glad you got a diagnosis!!! What a sweet boy Sending lots of prayers. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Prayers here for Bruce. He is such a handsome boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YvetteVal Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sending good thoughts for Bruce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotaina Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 What a beautiful boy! And, after reading through the thread, I see that there's more than 1 GTer who has dealt with GME! Wow - really makes me wonder how often that DX may be missed. More good wishes for a successful treatment Quote Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi."Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I'm glad you finally know what you are dealing with. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts for your handsome Bruce. He looks so much like my Nod, it's uncanny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MySkye Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Thank goodness for a diagnosis for your Bruce. Looking forward to following his "into remission" story. Also, if you have the time and feel comfortable, would you PM the vet you saw in CT? I am always on the look out of adding vets to our adoption groups resources (we are a GPA group based out of CT) and would like to discuss this vet off line. Not to flame the vet, but just to get some feedback from you first hand. Thanks~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greyglo Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Adding my prayers for your handsome little guy along with best wishes for successful treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytexplorer Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Adding my prayers for your handsome little guy along with best wishes for successful treatment. Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) Best wishes from a former CT person! I'm glad you got a dx and a treatment plan. A brain biopsy sounds crazy; glad you didn't go there! Marcia in SC Edited May 15, 2008 by MZH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I'm assuming GME is "Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis." Yikes. No experience, but lots of good thoughts and hugs from here. And Bruce is such a beautiful boy! Stay well Bruce, Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy P Quote GillianCaesar (Black Caesarfire) and Olly (Oregon) the Galgo Still missing: Nell (spaniel mix) 1982-1997, Boudicca (JRT) 1986- 2004, and the greys P's Catwalk 2001-2008, Murphy Peabody (we failed fostering) 1998-2010 and Pilgrim (Blazing Leia) 2003-2016, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Good wishes for successful treatment are being sent to Bruce. He is a beautiful guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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