Izzy’s Story

Age at diagnosis: 3 years

Breed: Chihuahua mix

Izzy was diagnosed at 3, shortly after receiving the distemper vaccine. She was hospitalised for a week and had an MRI that showed MUE. She is finally off of most medications, besides her seizure medications. She still goes to the neurologist every 6 months for a check-up and gets bloodwork. I carry her rescue meds wherever we go. She has a great neurologist that saved her life.

“Thank you for doing this! More research needs to be done! Many vets don't know what it is. I firmly believe my dog got MUE from the distemper vaccine — it was the 3 year vaccine. This disease has been extremely expensive and has cost me a lot. It's also given me PTSD. Every time she shakes, I freak out that she's having a relapse. They really need a cure!”

Izzy is part of The Theo Project's canine meningitis registry - a growing global collection of MUE, MUO and SRMA stories shared to help families facing this diagnosis.