Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), also known as Necrotizing Meningeoncephalitis (NME)
This is a problem unique to Pugs which strikes terror in the hearts of those of us who know and love them. PDE is a fatal inflammatory brain disease. We don’t know exactly why Pugs get it. We are beginning to explore ways to treat it. There is no way to determine with accuracy if your Pug has it except on the brain tissue of dead dogs. The Pugs who are affected are usually young. The dogs will have seizures, circling, blindness, coma and death, all in the space of a few days to a few weeks. The Pug Dog Club of America, along with the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, has contributed to studies which has directly led to the creation of a test for the genetic marker for PDE – or NME, Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis as it is scientifically called. This is the first step towards identifying, understanding, treating and possibly eradicating this horrible disease from our Pug population.
According to UC Davis, www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/PDE.php , there is NO DIAGNOSTIC FOR PDE OR NME in dogs. There is only a test is only to determine ~RISK~ for developing NME in Pug Dogs and for selecting matings that will produce puppies that are at decreased risk (N/N, N/S). Although a significant proportion (11%) of Pug Dogs is S/S, only about 1 in 8 of this group will develop NME during their lifetime. Also, breeders are advised against breeding out the S genotype, because 40% of Pug Dogs have the S genotype in a heterozygous (N/S = 29%) or homozygous state (S/S = 11%). Eliminating the S genotype will lead to a considerable loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, breeders should carefully select matings that do not produce S/S puppies.
The NME report includes DNA types for a panel of 8 markers selected from the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) canine parentage panel. These markers provide individual identification for each sample tested.
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This is a problem unique to Pugs which strikes terror in the hearts of those of us who know and love them. PDE is a fatal inflammatory brain disease. We don’t know exactly why Pugs get it. We are beginning to explore ways to treat it. There is no way to determine with accuracy if your Pug has it except on the brain tissue of dead dogs. The Pugs who are affected are usually young. The dogs will have seizures, circling, blindness, coma and death, all in the space of a few days to a few weeks. The Pug Dog Club of America, along with the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, has contributed to studies which has directly led to the creation of a test for the genetic marker for PDE – or NME, Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis as it is scientifically called. This is the first step towards identifying, understanding, treating and possibly eradicating this horrible disease from our Pug population.
According to UC Davis, www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/PDE.php , there is NO DIAGNOSTIC FOR PDE OR NME in dogs. There is only a test is only to determine ~RISK~ for developing NME in Pug Dogs and for selecting matings that will produce puppies that are at decreased risk (N/N, N/S). Although a significant proportion (11%) of Pug Dogs is S/S, only about 1 in 8 of this group will develop NME during their lifetime. Also, breeders are advised against breeding out the S genotype, because 40% of Pug Dogs have the S genotype in a heterozygous (N/S = 29%) or homozygous state (S/S = 11%). Eliminating the S genotype will lead to a considerable loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, breeders should carefully select matings that do not produce S/S puppies.
The NME report includes DNA types for a panel of 8 markers selected from the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) canine parentage panel. These markers provide individual identification for each sample tested.
BACK TO GUIDE < PREVIOUS PAGE > NEXT PAGE >
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Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
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Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
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Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
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If you would like to make a monetary donation for ongoing research in Pug health, you can send a donation to:
Canine Health Foundation
251 West Garfield Rd. Suite, 160
Aurora, OH 44202
Please specify that your donation is for the “Pug Club Donor Advised Fund.” You can also donate to the Pug Dog Club of America health fund by sending a contribution directly to the PDCA Treasurer.
Diagnosis: Pug Dog EncephalitisThe Pug Dog Club of America recognizes how devastating the diagnosis of PDE can be and it has been our goal to support and fund research so that we can see an end to this fatal disease. We thank you for your interest in participating in this research at this most difficult time.
While a genetic marker and test are available to identify those dogs which may be carriers, there is still ongoing research which you can help with.
Dr. Renee Barber is currently conducting research at the University of Georgia. The scientific name for PDE is now necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) because as research has progressed, we now know that not only is the Pug breed at risk, but also the Maltese, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Boston Terrier, Papillion, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier and West Highland White Terrier breeds. This is a disease that causes inflammation in the brain which can lead to seizures, blindness, coma and death very quickly. Learning more about what causes this devastating disease is critical for helping advance diagnosis, treatment and hopefully eradication of NME. Dr. Kimberly Greer has been instrumental in finding a region of DNA that is often different in Pugs that get NME, allowing for development of a genetic test. However, there is a still a subset of Pugs that don’t have this genetic difference that will succumb to NME. Dr. Barber has devoted her current research to trying to determine why this happens.
Additionally, Dr. Barber has also identified a second region of DNA that may contribute to Pugs getting NME. She is currently working to learn more about this region. Dr. Barber is always looking for additional samples from healthy Pugs or Pugs with NME to help with their research efforts. If you have a healthy purebred Pug that is over 3 years old and would be interested in participating, your veterinarian would have to verify that your pet does not have any evidence of autoimmune or neurological disease and we will send you a kit to collect a small amount of saliva. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Renee Barber at rbarber1@uga.edu and she will help coordinate sample collection and shipping.
Also, if you believe your Pug may be suffering from NME, please let Dr. Barber know. If your pet passes away from PDE, arrangements can be made for a veterinary pathologist to examine the brain tissue and confirm a diagnosis of NME while still allowing your pet to be cremated and returned to you.
Information about specific ongoing studies may be found under the sub-tab for “PDCA Supported Research” under the Health tab.
Canine Health Foundation
251 West Garfield Rd. Suite, 160
Aurora, OH 44202
Please specify that your donation is for the “Pug Club Donor Advised Fund.” You can also donate to the Pug Dog Club of America health fund by sending a contribution directly to the PDCA Treasurer.
Diagnosis: Pug Dog EncephalitisThe Pug Dog Club of America recognizes how devastating the diagnosis of PDE can be and it has been our goal to support and fund research so that we can see an end to this fatal disease. We thank you for your interest in participating in this research at this most difficult time.
While a genetic marker and test are available to identify those dogs which may be carriers, there is still ongoing research which you can help with.
Dr. Renee Barber is currently conducting research at the University of Georgia. The scientific name for PDE is now necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) because as research has progressed, we now know that not only is the Pug breed at risk, but also the Maltese, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Boston Terrier, Papillion, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier and West Highland White Terrier breeds. This is a disease that causes inflammation in the brain which can lead to seizures, blindness, coma and death very quickly. Learning more about what causes this devastating disease is critical for helping advance diagnosis, treatment and hopefully eradication of NME. Dr. Kimberly Greer has been instrumental in finding a region of DNA that is often different in Pugs that get NME, allowing for development of a genetic test. However, there is a still a subset of Pugs that don’t have this genetic difference that will succumb to NME. Dr. Barber has devoted her current research to trying to determine why this happens.
Additionally, Dr. Barber has also identified a second region of DNA that may contribute to Pugs getting NME. She is currently working to learn more about this region. Dr. Barber is always looking for additional samples from healthy Pugs or Pugs with NME to help with their research efforts. If you have a healthy purebred Pug that is over 3 years old and would be interested in participating, your veterinarian would have to verify that your pet does not have any evidence of autoimmune or neurological disease and we will send you a kit to collect a small amount of saliva. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Renee Barber at rbarber1@uga.edu and she will help coordinate sample collection and shipping.
Also, if you believe your Pug may be suffering from NME, please let Dr. Barber know. If your pet passes away from PDE, arrangements can be made for a veterinary pathologist to examine the brain tissue and confirm a diagnosis of NME while still allowing your pet to be cremated and returned to you.
Information about specific ongoing studies may be found under the sub-tab for “PDCA Supported Research” under the Health tab.
Dr. Renee Barber, DVM
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Dr. Renee Barber, DVM
Neurology Resident Veterinary Medicine Graduate Assistant Small Animal Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 (706) 542-2331 (706) 542-3221 rbarber1@uga.edu |