Introduction

[KazMav]

Hi,
My 11 month dog has been diagnosed with MUO in Nov 2018 and is on chemotherapy and steroid treatment. Today he has reduced to 20mg of predisolone a day . Even before today he was lethargic nd had loose bowels so although ken to reduce meds I am worried about a relapse. I understand that the relapse symptoms can differ to the original symptoms of stiff neck/ gait.  He is on prescribed pro biotic but it's not making much difference.  Any advice appreciated .

[Catherine]

I have no experience of MUO. Are they treating it as an autoimmune disease? If so, your dog needs to have been started on the correct dose. See here for the protocol:


Immunosuppressive Protocols for Oral Prednisolone in the Dog.
Ref: Clinical Immunology of the Dog & Cat by Michael J Day  – Professor of Veterinary Pathology, University of Bristol, UK and WSAVA - Chairman of Scientific Advisory Committee.

This example is based on a dog receiving an induction dose of 1.0mg/kg/q12hrs (every 12 hours)

Dose                Duration (based on clinical effect)

1.0mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.75mg/kg/q12h            10-28 days
0.5mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q12h                         10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q24h                         10-28 days
0.25-0.5mg/kg/ Every other day      at least 21 days
0.25-0.5 mg/kg/ Every third day       at least 21 days

Azathioprine (a cytotoxic drug) can be used in combination with prednisolone at 2mg/kg/24 or 48 hrs and dose gradually reduced, when remission is achieved, over a period of months.
Clinical response to Azathioprine may take up to 6 weeks. (Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook)

How much does he weigh? Also is he having a gastroprotectant? If not this can cause stomach problems.

[Keeper]

MUO is a broad term, my cocker has Focial GME his 1st attack was Feb this year, we are now of all meds, last steroids was on Friday when his dose was 2.5 mg every 3rd day, he also had chemotherapy and Atopica and steroids

[Keeper]

If you go and have a look in the section of Dog stories and look for GME I took the time and wrote down Keepers story

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi

I am sorry your young dog has MUO.  As keeper says it is a broad term and various immunosuppressive treatments are used.  In some cases prednisolone is adequate but often, depending on the type of MUO, chemotherapy is used as a combination therapy.  If you are seeing no difference then it is likely that the treatment plan needs to be reviewed and other medication considered, or dosages increased.  The clinical signs of immune mediated diseases of the brain, with the exception of SRMA, do tend to take much longer to resolve.

This is usually a specialist area and unless your vet has particular knowledge of MUO then a referral to a neurologist might be prudent.  If your dog is already receiving specialist treatment then a telephone call to clinician he is under might put your mind at rest.  I am sure the clinician would prefer to know if you are concerned about the lack of progress.

This is an informative article.

https://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/neurology/meningoencephalitis-of-unknown-aetiology-mua/

I do hope you see improvement very soon but don't hesitate to call the vet and discuss the way forward.

Jo