Evaluation of prognostic factors, survival rates, and treatment protocols for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs: 151 cases (1993-2002).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prognostic factors, survival, and treatment protocols for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
151 dogs with IMHA not associated with underlying infectious or neoplastic disease.


METHODS
lnformation recorded from review of medical records included signalment at the time of initial evaluation; vaccination history; 30-, 60-, and 365-day follow-up outcomes; laboratory data; results of imaging studies; and necropsy findings. Dogs were grouped according to the presence of spherocytes, autoagglutination, a regenerative erythrocyte response, and treatments received (azathioprine, azathioprine plus ultralow-dose aspirin, azathioprine plus mixed-molecular-weight heparin [mHEP], or azathioprine plus ultralow-dose aspirin plus mHEP) for comparisons. All dogs received glucocorticoids.


RESULTS
Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, neutered dogs, and female dogs were overrepresented. Alterations in certain clinicopathologic variables were associated with increased mortality rate. Rates of survival following treatment with azathioprine, azathioprine plus ultralow-dose aspirin, azathioprine plus mHEP, and azathioprine plus ultralow-dose aspirin plus mHEP were 74%, 88%, 23%, and 70%, respectively, at hospital discharge; 57%, 82%, 17%, and 67%, respectively, at 30 days; and 45%, 69%, 17%, and 64%, respectively, at 1 year. In comparison, mean survival rates at discharge and at 30 days and 1 year after evaluation collated from 7 published reviews of canine IMHA were 57%, 58%, and 34%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with a combination of glucocorticoids, azathioprine, and ultralow-dose aspirin significantly improved short- and long-term survival in dogs with IMHA.
Weinkle
Tristan K
TK
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Center
Sharon A
SA
Randolph
John F
JF
Warner
Karen L
KL
Barr
Stephen C
SC
Erb
Hollis N
HN
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001947:Breeding; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D001241:Aspirin