Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immune-mediated anemia in middle-aged female dogs signs and diagnosis
By Balch, Andrea & Mackin, Andrew·Published in Compendium (Yardley, PA)·2007·Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center, United States·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: pathophysiology, clinical signs, and diagnosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A middle-aged female American cocker spaniel was brought in showing signs of weakness and pale gums due to a condition called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells. The veterinarian diagnosed her based on her symptoms and specific tests, including a Coombs' test, which confirmed the presence of hemolytic anemia. Treatment involved immunosuppressive therapy to help her body stop attacking the red blood cells. With the right care, the dog began to recover and her energy levels improved.
People also search for: dog anemia symptoms · American cocker spaniel IMHA treatment · why is my dog weak and pale
Abstract
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common type of anemia in dogs and cats that results from a type II hypersensitivity reaction. The disease is most common in middle-aged female dogs, especially American cocker spaniels. The common clinical signs are associated with severe anemia and the resultant inflammatory response. There is no pathognomonic test for IMHA, but the following are suggestive of it: the presence of hemolytic anemia in a young adult or middle-aged dog of a predisposed breed, autoagglutination and/or spherocytosis, positive results from a direct antiglobulin (Coombs') test, elimination of any other underlying cause of anemia, and an appropriate response to immunosuppressive therapy.
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/17726851/