GME is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in dogs all over the world. Its cause is unknown although some sort of infectious agent possibly a virus is suspected. Adult dogs of all breeds can be affected but female, small breed dogs seem to be predisposed especially Poodles. Signs vary but are obviously neurological, are progressive when it is the focal form, signs are often acute ie. of sudden onset, and a test on Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) will confirm GME.

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME). Infarcts (blood clotting leading to lack of circulation in part of the brain) occur in some dogs. If the damage to the brain is minimal then recovery may occur quickly. If the damage is severe, recovery may not occur at all.

Granulometous meningioencephalitis (GME) can have similar signs to other Neurological disorders or diseases. It is a serious problem and the prognosis for long term survival with GME is poor.

Most cases of granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) are fatal within a few months to a year. The diseases that look most like GME are brain tumours and reticulosis. The prognosis for them is similar. There are some other problems that could be present and may have better prognoses. Lead poisoning can produce signs close to GME. Other heavy metal toxins can do this, too. The toxins can be difficult to detect without specific blood testing but there are usually either reasons to consider them or other signs present.

Severe liver disease and kidney disease can produce neurologic signs. This may include Porto Systemic Shunts, (Liver Shunts).

Age of onset is probably an important factor, as far as very young puppies are concerned I haven't found anything in the literature to say that GME is possibly a congenital disorder or that very young puppies are sufferers.

Dogs that are confirmed to have GME often improve temporarily with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids, but the long term prognoses is still poor.