Efficacy of glucocorticoid monotherapy for treatment of canine meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology: a prospective study in 16 dogs

Canine non-infectious, inflammatory meningoencephalomyelitis is termed meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE) and may affect dogs of any age, breed or gender. Treatment with immunosuppressive medication has been widely reported, however no prospective clinical trials with a standard glucocorticoid monotherapy are available. The objectives were to compare the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis at diagnosis and after treatment with a standard glucocorticoid (GC) dose and to determine the survival time in dogs with MUE. We hypothesized that abnormal CSF findings would normalize in dogs with MUE, and survival time would be longer than previously reported for glucocortocoid therapy alone. Inclusion criteria were: (1) normal minimum database, (2) no GC use within 5 days, (3) magnetic resonance imaging performed, (4) negative infectious disease titres, and (5) abnormal CSF analysis. All dogs received GC therapy at 1 mg/kg per os q 12 h. Responders had normal CSF analysis at 1 month. Sixteen dogs met the inclusion criteria. Median total nucleated cell count (TNCC) and protein concentration at time of diagnosis were 39 cells/μL (0–1400 cells/μL), and 49 mg/dL (25–293 mg/dL), respectively. Median TNCC and protein concentration at 1 month were 1 cell/μL (0–120 cells/μL), and 24 mg/dL (13–175 mg/dL), respectively. Seven of 16 dogs (44%) were responders. There was no significant difference in survival between the CSF responders and CSF non-responders (P = 0.85). Overall median survival was 602 days (45–654 days). This study supports using GC therapy in dogs with MUE