Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rabbit anti-thymocyte serum treatment for immune blood diseases
By Cuq, B et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2017·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Anti-thymocyte serum as part of an immunosuppressive regimen in treating haematological immune-mediated diseases in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 10 dogs with severe immune-mediated blood disorders, such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, received a treatment called rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum. Most of the dogs showed a significant drop in their lymphocyte counts, which are immune cells that can be overactive in these conditions. After treatment, all but one dog were able to leave the hospital, and many achieved remission from their symptoms, allowing for a reduction or complete stop of their other medications. Unfortunately, the one dog that did not respond was euthanized due to the severity of its condition.
People also search for: dog immune-mediated hemolytic anemia treatment · rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum for dogs · dog blood disorder symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report the outcomes associated with the use of rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum in dogs with haematological immune-mediated diseases. METHODS: Medical records from 2000 to 2016 of patients diagnosed with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and myelofibrosis were reviewed. All dogs had a severe or refractory disease and received rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum. Lymphocyte counts were used to monitor the immediate anti-thymocyte effect of therapy; long-term patient outcome was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 10 dogs were included. All dogs except one had a notable decrease in their lymphocyte count after rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum; four of nine had a decrease to less than 10% of the initial lymphocyte count and one dog reached 10·8%. All dogs were discharged from the hospital following their treatment. The dog with no alteration of lymphocyte count following therapy with rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum had refractory immune mediated haemolytic anemia and was euthanised within two weeks. All other cases achieved clinical remission with immunosuppressive therapy eventually being tapered (3 of 10) or discontinued (6 of 10). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum therapy might be of interest as an adjunctive therapy in refractory immune-mediated diseases and suppressed lymphocyte counts in most dogs.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28369956/