Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia is the most common cause of hemolytic anemia in dogs. As indicated in the name of this disease, it is an autoimmune disease. This page looks at the symptoms, causes, and treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs.

Canine hemolytic anemia is a type of anemia. The common reason for this type of anemia to arise is that, the normal process of the breakdown of red blood cells is too fast, resulting in a deficiency of red blood cells in the body.

There are several causes of hemolytic anemia in dogs. They include:

  • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (aka immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)
  • Congenital hemolytic anemia (i.e. dogs are born with this problem)
  • Drug reactions to certain medications (e.g. acetaminophen)
  • Infectious diseases (e.g. canine leptospirosis)
  • Poisonous snake bites

This page focuses on autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs.

What is Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?

Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs is also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). It is the most common cause of canine hemolytic anemia.

As indicated by its name, it is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when the immune system launches an autoimmune response against the body’s red blood cells.

Specifically, for some reason, antibodies attack the antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These cells under attack of course become weakened. As a result, they are trapped in the spleen and destroyed prematurely.

Although autoimmune hemolytic anemia can occur in all breeds, certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to the disease. They include:

  • Poodles
  • Old English Sheep Dogs
  • Cocker Spaniels
  • Irish Setters

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is more common in females than males. Females outnumber males four to one. Dogs affected are mostly between 2 and 8 years of age.

Causes of Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

In most cases, the cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs is unknown (idiopathic).

In other cases, the disease is secondary to some underlying disease (e.g. systemic lupus, infections, cancer). Cancer seems to be the most common cause of secondary hemolytic anemia in dogs.

Some drugs (e.g. acetaminophen) can also cause the disease. As can some toxins.

Symptoms of Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs vary in severity.

Mild symptoms are usually non-specific. They include such signs as loss of appetite, weakness and lethargy, lack of energy, depression, and listlessness.

Dogs who are in more serious condition usually show signs of jaundice and have traces of blood in the urine, which is dark-brown in color.

Other symptoms include gums that are pale, and the dog will have rapid breathing and heart beat. In addition, there may be enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.

Also, because there are insufficient red blood cells circulating to carry oxygen to various organs, many dogs with this disease suffer and die from organ failure, such as kidney failureliver failure, or heart failure.

Treatment of Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

There are two goals to achieve in order to treat this disease successfully. One is to slow down the destruction of red blood cells. The other is to prevent further red blood cell destruction.

To this end, vets usually use corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants to block antigen-antibody reaction.

The vet will also have to treat the various symptoms arising from the disease. For example, he will give the dog blood transfusions if the dog has severe anemia.

How well the dog responds to drug therapy depends on how serious the condition is. Also, it depends on whether there is an underlying cause. If so, whether the vet could identify and treat that cause.

Unfortunately, the mortality rate is rather high (about 40%) among dogs who have serious hemolytic anemia. They may die even with the best treatment due to kidney, liver, or heart failure, or because of a bleeding problem.

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