November 30, 2017
Our little mascot, Maui, the 1.5-year-old Shih Tzu, is very ill! She has a neurological condition that prevents her from walking, eating and drinking on her own.
Even now lucky to be alive, she was already on her third family by 3.5 months of age when Dr. Tremblay refused to euthanize her and adopted her instead. Now again, Maui will need much luck!
Two weeks ago everything seemed fine in the morning. By lunchtime her back legs were no longer working. Brought urgently to Duvernay Veterinary Hospital, radiographs and blood tests revealed nothing conclusive — a herniated disc was suspected. But by evening her symptoms were rapidly worsening: vomiting, loss of balance, trembling, eyes moving every which way. Our veterinarians knew: she was having an acute neurological episode.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a spinal-fluid analysis, under general anaesthesia, were needed. The final diagnosis: granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME).
GME is a potentially deadly disease of unknown cause: the immune system attacks the nervous system. Potent immunosuppressive medication was started immediately to prevent irreversible damage.
Hospitalized for several days, Maui had trouble eating and drinking on her own; the whole team took turns caring for her. Thankfully she responded quickly and well to treatment — 95% improved in two weeks. Join us in wishing Maui, our little mascot, a full recovery!
