Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as Pug dog encephalitis (PDE), is a progressive, fatal disease causing inflamation of the central nervous system. Symptoms of NME vary depending on the area of the brain damaged, but can include: seizures, depression, ataxia, abnormal gait and blindness, trouble walking, cervical pain, fever, head tilt, deafness, falling, facial paralysis, trouble swallowing and weakness in limbs, circling, behavior changes, back pain. Age of onset averaged 18 months. It has been reported that younger, Female, fawn-colored Pugs are more likely to develop NME than older, male and non-fawn colored individuals. Reasons are not currently fully confirmed or understood. Dogs that have two identical copies of the NME associated markers have a higher than average observed risk for NME in their lifetime. Currently, the only tests available are linked marker tests, which can indicate risk only and are not predictive.