Ciclosporin use in multi-drug therapy for meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ciclosporin therapy alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or ketoconazole in dogs with diagnosis of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology.


METHODS
Medical records of 10 dogs diagnosed with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology and treated with ciclosporin therapy alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or ketoconazole were reviewed at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Laboratory abnormalities, side effects, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid responses to treatment and association between blood ciclosporin level and response to treatment were evaluated. Histopathological diagnosis was available in three patients.


RESULTS
No significant abnormalities were detected on serial complete blood count and serum chemistry panel in any of the dogs. Side effects of ciclosporin therapy included excessive shedding, gingival hyperplasia and hypertrichosis. Overall median survival time for all dogs in the study was 930 days (range, 60 to more than 1290 days). In all dogs, serial cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a marked improvement in the inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that ciclosporin either alone or in combination with ketoconazole may be a safe and effective treatment for meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology in dogs.
Adamo
P F
PF
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Rylander
H
H
Adams
W M
WM
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012449:Safety; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D007654:Ketoconazole