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/ μ L (0–1400 cells/ μ L), and 49 mg/ dL (25–293 mg/ dL ), respectively. Median TNCC and protein concentration at 1 month were 1 cell/ μ L (0–120 cells/ μ L), 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.