Clinical presentation, prognostic factors, and outcomes of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in older dogs.

Age does not significantly impact MUO survival or relapse rates in dogs.

This multicenter retrospective case-control study compared clinical presentations and outcomes of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) between older dogs (≥8 years, n=71) and younger dogs (<8 years, n=142). Older dogs presented more frequently with behavior changes, cranial nerve deficits, and concurrent comorbidities. Despite these differences in clinical presentation, multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference in median survival times between groups (16 months older vs. 24 months younger, P=.48). Relapse rates also did not differ significantly, with 41.7% of older dogs and 65.0% of younger dogs experiencing relapse during the study period. These findings suggest that advanced age is not an independent negative prognostic factor for MUO outcomes in dogs, though older patients present with more neurological complications and systemic disease. This information is valuable for veterinary practitioners counseling owners of older dogs diagnosed with MUO, as age alone should not preclude aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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