At MVES Neurology, we often see pets with complex and mysterious symptoms that require in-depth diagnostics and collaborative care. Deebo, a sweet and resilient French Bulldog, recently came to us after his family noticed some alarming changes. His journey is one of perseverance, progress, and hope.

A Sudden Shift

Deebo's neurologic symptoms began subtly. At first, his family noticed he was bumping into walls and furniture. His behavior was just slightly “off,” but those minor signs quickly escalated. When he visited an ophthalmologist in Lee’s Summit, his clinical signs had become more concerning. Deebo had decreased conscious proprioception (awareness of limb placement) on his left side, reduced sensation around his left ear, and unusual breathing patterns that raised concerns for possible laryngeal collapse.

Compounding the worry, Deebo's owner shared a possible exposure concern—earlier that month, a pregnant cat they’d taken in delivered a litter of stillborn kittens. The owner feared toxoplasmosis or another infectious cause could be behind Deebo’s condition.

Advanced Diagnostics Reveal the Truth

Referred to our neurology service led by board-certified neurologist Dr. David Weinstein, Deebo was evaluated for progressive neurologic decline. On exam, he was dull and disoriented. He had an absent menace response in his left eye (a normal response to a sudden movement), discharge in both eyes, and struggled to walk—collapsing on his left side.

To investigate further, we performed a brain MRI. The results were significant: Deebo had multifocal lesions throughout the forebrain and abnormal fluid buildup compressing part of his cerebellum. These findings pointed to meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE)—a type of autoimmune inflammation of the brain. Because of the risk of increased intracranial pressure, we opted not to perform a spinal tap. Still, we did pursue a comprehensive neuroinfectious disease panel via bloodwork to rule out infectious causes.

We also noted signs of middle to inner ear disease (worse on the left) and changes in his nasal passages. Despite these concerning findings, Deebo showed no signs of brain bleeding, and there was no evidence of brain herniation.

Intensive Hospital Care

Deebo remained hospitalized for close monitoring and intensive medical therapy. He was treated with intravenous medications, including mannitol to reduce brain swelling, injectable steroids to combat inflammation, and a chemotherapy agent (Cytosar)—a standard treatment for autoimmune encephalitis. During his hospital stay, Deebo had moments of elevated blood pressure and bradycardia, which were carefully managed by our team.

Thanks to these interventions, Deebo began to improve. By the next day, he was brighter, more responsive, and able to walk with only mild weakness on his left side.

Recovery at Home

Deebo was discharged with a tailored treatment plan, including oral prednisone, to reduce inflammation and prevent relapse. His family was given detailed monitoring instructions—watching for signs like circling, stumbling, seizures, or changes in behavior.

One key precaution was avoiding exposure to his bodily fluids for 24 hours due to recent chemotherapy administration—safety first, for both Deebo and his loving humans.

A Happy Update

At his recheck appointment, Deebo was a whole new dog. His dad reported he is better now than when they first got him four years ago. Not only is he more active, but he's also even smarter. According to his family, Deebo is the only one of their dogs who knows how to use the ramp to the bed—and he’s figured out how to push it around to reach places he definitely shouldn’t be.

The only lingering concern has been the occasional behavior where Deebo acts like he has something stuck in his mouth and licks the floor—an observation our team is continuing to monitor. Today, Deebo continues to thrive at home, thanks to his family’s quick action, his dedicated care team, and his own fighting spirit.

His playful and resourceful personality has earned him quite a fan base, and you can follow this sweet and silly boy on Instagram:@deebo.thriving.

Deebo’s journey is a powerful reminder of the complexity of neurologic disease—and the incredible outcomes that are possible with early intervention and comprehensive care. We're so proud of how far he’s come and look forward to continuing to support his recovery.