Case-control study of blood type, breed, sex, and bacteremia in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether blood type, breed, or sex were risk factors for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in dogs and whether bacteremia was common in dogs with IMHA.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
33 dogs with IMHA, 1,014 dogs without IMHA for which blood type (dog erythrocyte antigens 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, and 7) was known, 15,668 dogs without IMHA for which breed was known, and 15,589 dogs without IMHA for which sex was known.


METHODS
Blood type, breed, and sex distribution of dogs with IMHA were compared with data for control dogs with Fisher exact tests and by calculating odds ratios (ORs). Results of bacterial culture of blood samples were documented for dogs with IMHA, when available.


RESULTS
Dog erythrocyte antigen 7 was associated with a significant protective effect (OR, 0.1) in Cocker Spaniels with IMHA (n = 10), compared with control dogs. Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Frise, Miniature Pinschers, Rough-coated Collies, and Finnish Spitz had a significantly increased risk of IMHA, as did female dogs (OR, 2.1). Blood samples from 12 dogs with IMHA were submitted for bacterial culture, and none had bacteremia.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that blood type, breed, and sex may play a role in IMHA in dogs.
Miller
Sybille A
SA
The Department of Medicine, The Bobst Hospital, The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021-8302, USA.
Hohenhaus
Ann E
AE
Hale
Anne S
AS
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors