Natalya, do you know if this is at all contagious? From the links you provided it seems like there can be many different causes...and some of those seem like they could be transmitted.

Sarah, I got the sense that is was NOT contagious and that it was generally idiopathic, as in, the medical profession doesn't fully understand what causes it at all...

 Quote:

The etiological agent of GME is unknown. A T-cell mediated delayed type hypersensitivity of an organ-specific autoimmune disease is suspected

Quote is from a clinical study of one case, found here:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=339094

From which reading did you get a sense that it might be easily transmitted?
In this case, Echo has lived with Buck (senior husky) for the last year and Buck is completely without symptoms... thankfully.

~Natalya

I misread...I guess the symptoms can appear like other, possibly-contagious things. My apologies!

No worries! The whole thing is a little mysterious to me... in a very spooky, nightmarish way.

~Natalya

That is so sad. i was hoping it wasn't something like this.

Sad news. My neighbor made the tough decision to let sweet Echo go yesterday. After weeks of completely inconclusive tests (even the spinal tap came back negative, so no to GME), multiple new theories for the cause of his ailments (including insecticide poisoning and degenerative enzyme disease), and medication that just didn't seem to help, it was clear that it just wasn't fair to keep him going in such a clearly broken body. Monday night he really fell apart and between frights from his vision loss and series after series of little seizures, he couldn't even be quieted to go to sleep anymore.

Echo wasn't even 2 years old yet, and was such a plucky little guy - he really brought a lot of joy to the older dog in the family, who was so distraught yesterday night in Echo's absence... he will be terribly missed.

I urged my neighbor to have an autopsy done - even if she didn't really need an answer herself, it could have provided information for future cases - though she was so torn up at the vets that she said no... I know that decision is the last thing any grieving pet owner wants to be confronted with, but in this case especially, any and all clues to cause or diagnosis could possibly save another dog from going through the same sad course of mysterious events.

Ugh, I'm really upset about this. The last month has been devastating for those around me - a human death in my extended family - way too young, a house/farm fire leveled the livelihood of a good friend, and now this... I doubt I'll get any comfort finishing up my taxes either...

~Natalya

Natalya,

I am sorry to hear this sad news. I just wanted to convey my sympathies to your neighbor as well as you.

Suffering the loss of anyone, or any animal, is the hardest things we do as human beings. I know the pain of losing dear family members and I can understand what your neighbor is going through as well as yourself.

Please know that you are being thought of and know that I send you and your neighbor special thoughts of support and hope you will find comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Please take good care of each other.
My deepest sympathies.

I don't even know what to say.

I sat here and read through this thread getting more sad the more I read. Thinking about my two dogs and what it would be like - tears came to my eyes and for a 46 year old man that sucks!

So, it must be that much harder for your neighbor - please convey my deepest condolences to your neighbor.

Natalya, I sincerely wish you all the best with having to deal with the things going on around you.

:frown:

The sky is still blue....I promise. Take care.

I am so sorry for your neighbor. And, you, for all you have gone through.

Sorry isn't enough, but I don't have words to convey what I feel for your neighbor, you, and Buck--who is confused and upset.

Michael is right...the sky is still blue. Trust him.