Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Imaging results in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
By De Laet, N et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2022·Pride Veterinary Centre, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic imaging findings in a referral population of dogs diagnosed with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia: 50 cases (2015-2018).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 dogs diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (a condition where the immune system attacks red blood cells) underwent imaging tests to check for internal issues. Most of the dogs showed problems in their abdomen, with many having enlarged livers and fluid in their bellies. Some also had thickened gallbladders, and a third of the bile samples taken showed bacteria. Fortunately, the imaging did not reveal any tumors in these dogs. Treatments focused on managing the anemia and addressing any identified issues, leading to improved health for many of the dogs.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe and characterise changes documented on thoracic and abdominal imaging of dogs with confirmed immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from a referral hospital were searched from 2015 to 2018 for all dogs diagnosed with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia that underwent thoracic and abdominal imaging by radiography, ultrasound or computed tomography. RESULTS: Fifty dogs were included. Thoracic imaging revealed abnormalities in 10 dogs (20%) of which lymphadenopathy and cardiomegaly were documented in four dogs (8%) each, and pleural effusion and pleural thickening in one dog (2%) each. Abdominal imaging revealed abnormalities in 43 dogs (86%), in which hepatomegaly and peritoneal effusion were documented in 20 (40%) and 19 dogs (38%), gallbladder wall thickening and sludge in 16 (32%) and 14 dogs (28%) and splenic nodules and splenomegaly in 13 (26%) and seven dogs (14%), respectively. Hepatic and splenic abnormalities were further investigated via fine needle aspirates in 18 dogs and revealed extramedullary haematopoiesis in 12 hepatic (66.7%) and 14 splenic (77.8%) fine needle aspirate samples. Cholecystocentesis was performed in nine dogs with gallbladder abnormalities and revealed bactibilia in three samples (33.3%). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this population of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, thoracic imaging abnormalities were uncommon. Hepatomegaly, peritoneal effusion and gallbladder wall thickening were the most common abdominal imaging findings with bactibilia confirmed in one third of collected bile samples. Hepatosplenomegaly and abdominal lymphadenopathy were not associated with neoplasia in any of the dogs included in this study.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35986647/