(GCH CH Himmlisch Way Up High FCAT DN STR TKN FITG)

DOB: Saturday, May 14, 2022

Before I get into the necropsy. . . put meningitis and encephalitis together. . . Encephalitis and meningitis are inflammatory conditions that affect the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. They differ in the location and severity of inflammation: Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain itself. Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningoencephalitis is a rare and life-threatening condition in which you have meningitis and encephalitis at the same time.

Now to the "comments" of the necropsy performed at CSU (Colorado State University). There is a 4 page report that goes on about every organ in Russell's body but the comments sum it up the best. If anyone is interested in the entire report, let me know and I am happy to share. . . "Immunohistochemistry to identify rabies and distemper are negative. In the absence of obvious infectious causes, the histologic features identified in the brain are most consistent with a disease called granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME). An additional in-house pathologist that specializes in pathology of the brain was consulted and agrees with this interpretation. GME is an inflammatory condition of the central nervous system which is suspected to be immune-mediated, but this is not definitively confirmed.

This disease is most commonly found in young adult dogs (average 5 years of age) and is more common in small breed dogs such as terrier breeds, though any breed or age may develop GME. Clinical signs generally depend on the region of the nervous system affected and can range from seizures to limb paralysis, and even abnormal temperature regulation and vestibular signs. There are frequently no abnormalities seen on blood work and cerebrospinal fluid analysis is the gold standard for antemortem diagnosis. Differentials may still include viral causes, parasitic causes such as toxoplasmosis or neospora, or fungal causes, none of which are obviously identified histologically. Treatment usually involves lifelong corticosteroid therapy at immunosuppressive doses. Regardless of treatment, this disease has poor prognosis with short survival times averaging approximately 6 weeks, particularly when multifocal disease is present, like in this case. There are rare individual reports of GME occurring within family lines, but this is not a prominent feature of the disease."

At least we know WHAT but we will probably never know WHY. I have taken it upon myself to continue to talk to professionals and people familiar with GME but they are few and far between. Our primary vet has never seen a case - only read about it in text books. Dr. K has seen 3 cases when she worked in an ER in another state - they were end of life. All I can come up with is that the Vanguard 5 Adult 3 year vaccination was not a good thing for Russell. From this day forward I will only run titers on my dogs. I am glad that Russell went fast and didn't suffer.

When I saw Jackie at an agility practice (she did Lindy's photo shoot) I told her I just don't understand why. She said "God needed Russell more than you did". . .and at this point, that is the most comforting to me. Life is short and precious.
Hug the ones you love