Clinical Studies

Disease Description

Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis in Pug dogs (also known as Pug Dog Encephalitis, or PDE) is a devastating disease that occurs in Pugs ranging from about 6 months to 6 years of age. Common clinical signs include seizures, circling, cognitive changes, and visual deficits. By the time these advanced neurological signs are noticed, the inflammation is severe in most dogs, and the outlook is poor even with aggressive treatment.

Our Goals

Our goal is to identify neurological abnormalities in Pugs with high genomic risk for PDE before the onset of the above-mentioned advanced clinical signs. A brain MRI and CSF analysis will be performed for at-risk pugs that have exam findings consistent with PDE. If abnormalities consistent with PDE are found, then therapy using a Pug-specific stem cell preparation will be given, and the pugs will be followed over three years.

Patient Eligibility Criteria

• Pugs ranging from 6 months to 3 years of age.
• No past or present neurological diseases besides PDE.
• Not on any current immunosuppressive medications.

Interested?

Enroll or request more information below