GME is the diagnosis. What is it and What to do?

Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis. It's as scary as it sounds. It's dangerous, too. Simply, it's an inflammation of the brain. It's hard to treat - at least it has been in our case. CoCo was originally given a different type of steroid - while we awaited a diagnosis. Once we had this, she was prescribed Predinizone. She took 1/2 of a 5mg tablet twice a day. In addition, she took an antibiotic 3 times a day. We saw great results within a couple of days. Almost no symptoms.

After about 2 weeks - I can't even remember everything just runs together... We were instructed to begin weening her off as these are not good for her and we need to find out what the smallest amount she can tolerate is. Her dose was cut in half - taking 1/2 once a day. On the night of day 2, we had an major step backwards. As fast as it came on, it relapsed.

This morning, I called her vet. We are back up to the heavy dose to get through the holiday. On Monday, the vet & neurosurgeon will start working on a new type of treatment. Possibly other medications. It is extremely difficult to see her almost without symptoms, yet know she is so critically ill. I have been working from home to be with her. My hopes are to research 'Dr. Google' and locate some holistic treatments to help her. If you know of any good resources, my email is in the contact area of the blog.

Good thoughts for CoCo Bean and some balance in treatment, please. Happy Thanksgiving to you all :)

CoCo Bean Cox - Back on the Blog

My apologies for not being present on here for so long. As with lots, we have just been busy, busy, busy. I am hoping to make sure I update here at least once or so weekly. Bare with me while we readjust to being back!


As many of you know, CoCo has been quite the little trooper. She is an extremely healthy dog but has been plagued with allergies for most of her life. After years of modifying her diet, eliminating allergens, and keeping her exercised and healthy, we were able to 'beat' those allergies and she no longer has to take shots. On a rare occasion, she has an allergy tablet, but that is rare.


On November 6, 2014, CoCo Bean celebrated her 8th Birthday. Unfortunately, she also was rushed to the Vet with symptoms that appeared to be stroke-like. She was showing very subtle signs of confusion, vertigo, and slow reflex. She also was not energetic and had trouble walking. It was immediately evident that this was severe. I was told they believed this to be her brain or a neck injury. I had much hope of the neck injury, a brain injury would be devastating.


This was on a Thursday, so they sent CoCo and I home with a steroid and antibiotics and asked me to keep a close watch and call with any updates. Friday was good. I stayed with her and she slept the whole day and night. Saturday she awoke in good spirits and after confiding in “Dr. Google” I decided this was a severe inner-ear infection and we would be great once the medicines were able to work their magic. Saturday evening on the way to bed, CoCo Bean had a seizure – like spell. It scared me to death. I was sure this was the end.


On Sunday, my Mom came into town. CoCo was sleepy and drugged. We watched her all day long. Everyday her appetite was strong and she was perky. Just tired and showing little signs of symptoms other than the seizure – like spell.


Monday, we headed back to the Vet. A nuero – specialist had been called in and anther Vet – other than her primary care Vet, Dr. Cathy Caga. We were determined to get answers. Fifteen minutes later, we had agreed to a CT scan with real time reading and possibly a spinal tap. Within a few hours, a spinal tap was performed.


No definite results. We waited. By Tuesday, we knew one thing. It wasn’t her ear. It wasn’t her neck. It was her brain. Not just one spot, but two. They said rare tumor, a rare type of lymphoma, or some type of GME. Nothing sounded hopeful. By Wednesday we were still waiting and on Thursday afternoon came news. CoCo Bean has GME.


Next up… getting CoCo Bean stable. . .

-CoCo Bean Cox after Spinal Tap. Shaved Neck. She did not cut her hair herself :)

Back on Track :) Food Allergy Trials are OVER!

Back on track with a new review! As I mentioned before, I have been going through food trials for about a year. The results are in and we know what I cannot eat. Chicken, Lamb, Beef, Duck, Turkey, and just about any domesticated meat product does not agree with me. I also have not been able to eat the hypo-allergenic diets such as IAMS' hypo-allergenic formula. After lots of food trials we have found a perfect match that my Sis can actually find locally. We live in a relatively small city and remarkably there is a store that carries it for us. The brand is called California Naturals. The formula is Grain Free Kangaroo & Red Lentils Formula. It is a dry food and the bites are small enough for me. Many of the others Sis had to crush up in small enough bites for me. For treats, my Sis gives me carrot slices and kangaroo jerky. The kangaroo jerky comes from Rayne Clinical Nutrition. The jerky consists of kangaroo meat and honey. There are no other ingredients. We found Rayne through our Vet Allergy Specialist located about 130 miles from home. Her name is Dr. Tina Brown. She is the BEST. Hands down :) Rayne provided us with the diet that I tested on. It was actually kangaroo and sweet potato. Sis wants me to eat dry food and they did not have a dry food available for me, yet. This is why we went with California Naturals. It's been a bit over 6 months since I changed to this diet. I am happier than I have ever been. I lost 1lb. once we got my diet modified. I just feel so good every single day! Thanks to everyone that helped us find what I needed! There is a lot of bad information out there regarding food allergies and pets. If you are inquisitive about what all we learned in this process email my Sis. She will hook you right up! I am going to the park. Adios, until next time! -CoCo "I lub kangawoo" Cox

Probiotics? What are they? Are they good for me? What's best?

I have allergies pretty bad. I few years ago I went to the Vet to have allergy testing and found I was allergic to a number of things. The 3 main allergies were to Human Dander (that's my sis :), feathers (that's Sis' bed, pillows, blankeys), & wool. I am also allergic to most grasses, plants, and trees in my hometown. I began taking allergy shots every 10 days. Eventually, I got that to once a week. About 2 years into these treatments I began to take my allergy meds orally - based on a study of a bear located in a zoo in the US. Pretty cool stuff - and who likes shots? Recently, I have had tummy problems. About once a week, I have bad 'potty's' and my tummy rumbles and growls. It makes me feel awful. My Vet thinks it's allergies, again. My diet has been ruled out as the culprit - because my Sis is so strict about what I can eat (wish I could have table food!). My Vet recommended I start taking PROBIOTICS. Sis says she has taken them in the past, so I say why not give it a try! So here we are. My Sis researched and asked questions to everyone she could find. The nice people at http://www.probioticsfordogs.com/ emailed her about a product called Nusentia Probiotic Miracle. This is Probiotics for dogs and digestive enzymes that help to reduce the amount of bad bacteria and toxins in my body. They are ranked #1, too. Over the next few weeks, my blogs will be about my journey with probiotics in my diet. Join me :)

CoCo "my tummy gwowls" Cox

Guess Who's Back :)

Sure has been awhile since I have posted on my blog. But I am back - for sure :) I thought I would get back into writing by telling you a little bit about me - cause I know some of you are new here. I am CoCo Bean. They say I am 3 pounds of fury. I like my Sis and my Mom and a few others in between - but if I don't know you - LOOK OUT :) I have a mean bark - but not a mean bite. I am 5 years old. Over the years, really nice humans have sent me really cool stuff to wear, play with, eat, and talk about. I use this blog and my facebook page to talk about all this awesome stuff.
Interested in more? Just subscribe to my blog via email by adding it on the right of the screen. If you like a product on my page - use the 'pin it' button so you can find it again. Have a product or treat you would like for me to try? Reach my Sis right here Sister's Email Address. She can tell you how to get it to me and our guidelines for submission. Thanks for reading my blog :)

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New Headshots of ME!

Sis says we finally got some more headshots..whatever those are. She says they are pics of me that I signed...dunno why. Here is what they look like. Sis says if you want one email her at the address below and she will mail you one out. I just want to go to the park.

-CoCo "sign this" Cox

Happy Fire Popper Day!!

Today is Firepopper Day and I am pumped! Sparkwers and ice cream! My favorite! Yum!! Have fun everyone and be safe!!!
Hi! I am Miss. Independent!

Playin in my garden...

Peanut Butter Kong Ice Cream! MY FAVORITE!! YUM!

CoCo "Miss Independent" Cox