TREATMENT Unfortunately, there is NO cure. Prognosis for permanent recovery is guarded. Shortest survival rates (which range from several days to weeks) are usually seen in dogs with disseminated and ocular forms of GME. Longer survival rates of three to six months are usually associ- ated with a focal lesion. Temporary improvements are suspected to be a result of reduction of mast cell func- tion. Continued therapy is required, with improvement for several days to months seen. However, most dogs will eventually succumb to the disease. Treatment for idiopathic encephalitis will usually involve suppressing the immune system. High doses of ste- roids such as prednisone are the usual course of action. Antibiotics are pre- scribed as well, many times, along with pain medication if the patient presents with pain. If no progress is seen with prednisone alone, more potent im- mune suppressing medications may be added. Most of these medications are types of chemotherapy and will require periodic blood tests to avoid toxicity. These other drugs may also be used with animals that may be suscep- tible to the side effects associated with long-term use of prednisone. Some dogs will respond for a time but later have relapses, causing the use of medication for extended periods of time. Other dogs do not respond to medication at all and pass away quick- ly. ANY neurological symptoms will
require immediate veterinary inter- vention if hope of survival is expected. The problem with this disease is that by the time the dog is presented to a vet (especially one who may not rec- ognize the disease on first presenta- tion) it is usually too late to save the dog. Many vets may suspect GME, but by the time the tests are done it is too late to save the dog. GME is a very fast-moving and, most times, deadly disease. I cannot stress enough that time is of the essence and ANY delay in vet care can cost the life of your dog. This article has been written with love and in remembrance of my Dear Sweet Gabby. Her death inspired me to research something not commonly heard about, yet according to many vets, appears to be a problem within the breed. While doing this research
over the course of two months, I have found six cases of GME, or suspected GME, in our immediate Chihuahua community. Of the six, two survived. One recovered completely while the other still has a slight head tilt and is blind in one eye. The other four survived from eight days to several months before passing. One of these improved greatly, but later had a re- lapse and passed. This does not in- clude the Chihuahuas in the clinical experiences of veterinarians whom I have either spoken to or who have written articles about GME. If a dog presents with ANY neurologi- cal symptoms, immediate veterinary care is needed if any hope of survival is expected. If even one dog can be helped with this information, Gabby’s death has meant something.
BIO Susan Ritenour lives in Strasburg, Virginia, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. She grad- uated from Strasburg High School and earned two Associate’s Degrees from Lord Fairfax Community College after the age of 40. Susan has always had a love of animals, and Chihuahuas have been a big part of her life since a very young age. There was always at least one dog in the family. She has been in the show world for over 30 years.
Susan became interested in showing in Obedience after acquiring a Chinese Shar-Pei. She successfully put a CD on him as well as his CGC. During this time, she started looking for her next Chihuahua and got “Mouse” from Carolyn Mooney. From her friendship with the Mooneys and John Cipollina, the rest is history. Mouse earned his Canadian CD and AKC CDX as well as his Therapy Dog title and CGC. He also pulled a wagon for rescue and pa- rades, collecting over $900 for rescue in his lifetime. Susan’s first homebred puppy won the Sweepstakes at the first Chihuahua National Specialty she attended. She has bred and shown several Top Ten Breed and All-Breed Chihuahuas as well as BISS and other Specialty winners. Other breeds which Susan has owned and shown include the Japanese Chin and the Chinese Crested. 28 • T op N otch T oys , S eptember /O ctober 2022
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