Stem cell treatment added to immune therapy for dogs with anemia

Abstract

This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy as an adjunct to standard immunosuppressive treatment in dogs diagnosed with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), particularly in cases with inadequate response to conventional immunosuppressive protocols. A total of 157 client-owned dogs with IMHA received MSC therapy at Safari Veterinary Care Center or collaborating clinics. A core cohort of 43 dogs met strict inclusion criteria: confirmed primary IMHA, no significant comorbidities, and receipt of at least two MSC treatments. A retrospective analysis was performed on medical records of treated dogs. Packed cell volume (PCV) trends were used to assess treatment response, with success defined as sustained improvement to ≥30% PCV following MSC therapy. Safety was assessed by reviewing for adverse reactions postinfusion. In the core cohort, 76% (33/43) of dogs achieved successful hematological recovery. Across the broader cohort, clinical improvement was also observed, particularly in dogs with poor initial response to standard therapy. No serious adverse events were recorded following MSC infusion. Allogeneic MSC therapy appears to be a well-tolerated and potentially effective adjunctive treatment for canine IMHA, particularly in refractory cases. These findings support further investigation in controlled clinical trials.