Treatment of Idiopathic Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anaemia in Dogs

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is the most common autoimmune disease in dogs. This study was conducted to evaluate prednisolone and azathioprine therapeutic protocols for the management of idiopathic IMHA in dogs. The anaemic dogs brought with clinical signs such as pale or icteric mucous membranes were screened for IMHA by saline agglutination and spherocyte count and confirmed by flow cytometry. The positive cases were further subjected to haematology, biochemistry, coagulation profile, MAT and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of underlying secondary causes like Babesia spp, Ehrlichia canis and Leptospira spp (secondary IMHA). Thirty two cases were positive for IMHA, out of which thirteen cases were primary (Idiopathic) IMHA (17.3%) and remaining nineteen cases were secondary IMHA (82.7%) due to underlying causes such as Babesia gibsoni (13), Ehrlichia canis (3) and Leptospira spp. (3) respectively. Immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone and prednisolone in combination with azathioprine and specific therapy of etiological agent with supportive therapy was used. Significant increase in Hb, PCV, RBC and thrombocyte count, significant decrease in leucocyte, neutrophil, monocyte and total protein and significant increase in ALT activity was recorded after therapy. Prednisolone was found to be effective in the management of canine IMHA than prednisolone combined with azathioprine.