A comparison of combination therapy (cyclosporine plus prednisolone) with sole prednisolone therapy in 7 dogs with necrotizing meningoencephalitis.

Author(s): Jung DI, Kang BT, Park C, Yoo JH, Gu SH, Jeon HW, Kim JW, Heo RY, Sung HJ, Eom KD, Lee JH, Woo EJ, Park HM

Affiliation(s): Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.

Publication date & source: 2007-12, J Vet Med Sci., 69(12):1303-6.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Administration of immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticosteroids is the traditional primary treatment in necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in dogs. However, response is variable and clinical signs often recur quickly with tapering dosage. Prognosis is poor and long-term therapy causes many complications. In the present study, we compared the long-term effects of combination (cyclosporine plus prednisolone) therapy with sole prednisolone therapy in management in dogs with NME. All NME cases in this study were examined with magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and confirmed by histopathologic examination. The mean survival time of combination therapy group was 305.7 +/- 94.7 days. The mean survival time of sole prednisolone therapy group was 58.3 +/- 30.5 days. This case report demonstrates that combination treatment of cyclosporine with prednisolone is more effective in survival time than administration of only prednisolone in NME cases.