Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis (GME)

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the brain, spinal cord, or both. The inflammation develops when clusters of immune cells form in or around the protective layers and tissue of the central nervous system, though why this happens in individual animals remains incompletely understood. Owners often notice changes that can appear quite suddenly—altered behaviour, difficulty with coordination or balance, seizures, weakness in one or more limbs, changes in vision, or a head tilt. The pattern varies depending on which part of the nervous system is affected, and signs may progress over days to weeks. Because the signs can overlap with other neurological conditions, the path to understanding what is happening typically involves detailed examination and imaging. This page explores the signals that may prompt investigation, what is understood about the underlying process, how the condition is identified through clinical assessment and testing, and the range of approaches used to manage inflammation and support quality of life.