CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON IMMUNE MEDIATED HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA IN DOGS
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Date
2016
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
The study ‘Clinical investigations on immune mediated haemolytic anaemia in dogs’
was conducted in Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence,
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy during the period of ten months. Out
of two hundred and fifty eight dogs screened, forty seven dogs were found to be positive for
saline agglutination test. Twenty five confirmed cases of IMHA by Coombs’ test and
presence of spherocytes were selected for study. All the positive IMHA dogs were subjected
for detailed clinical examination. All parameters and treatment response were recorded. The
data obtained were analysed statistically.
Occurrence of IMHA in the present study was 9.68 per cent. Immune mediated
haemolytic anaemia was more common in the age group 1 to 6 years and in male dogs with
highest predisposition noticed in Labradors followed by Sptiz and cross bred dogs. More
number of cases were recorded in the month of March.
Clinical signs reported were anorexia/inappetance, weakness/lethargy, exercise
intolerance, pigmenturia, vomiting, collapse and tachypnoea. Less commonly reported signs
were dyspnoea, haematochezia, diarrhoea, constipation and polyuria. Physical examination
findings were fever, pale to icteric mucous membrane, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly,
hepatomegaly and thickened intestinal loops.
No association of IMHA with vaccination , deworming and leptospirosis were seen in
the present study. Faecal examination revealed Ancylostoma canninum and coccidian oocyst.
Wet film examination was positive in six dogs. The major etiology was found to be Babesia
gibsoni (36 per cent). Other organisms such as Ehrlichia canis, Mycoplasma haemocanis and
microfilaria were also observed.
Haematological study revealed severe anaemia with macrocytosis and anisocytosis,
thrombocytopenia and leucocytosis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed a state of
hyperbilirubinemia, and high alkaline phosphatase. Most dogs had a Coombs’ titer of 1:2 (40
per cent), spherocyte count of 2+ and regenerative anaemia (>50 per cent). Abdominal
ultrasonographic and radiographic finding were splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Thoracic
radiography revealed cardiac enlargement. No clotting abnormalities were detected.
Immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone and specific therapy of etiological
agent with supportive therapy were used. There was significant improvement in volume of
packed red cells, total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, and thrombocyte count, as well as a
significant decrease in leucocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte count and total
bilirubin. A significant increase in alanine aminotransferase was recorded after therapy.
However 24 per cent mortality were recorded in the present study. The prognostic
indicators determined were lymphocyte, granulocyte count, serum globulin and BUN levels.
Based on above studies it concluded that all the dogs positive for haemoparasite
infection should be screened for secondary IMHA and incorporate immunosuppressive
therapy in positive cases along with specific therapy for speedy recovery.
Key Words : Immune mediated haemolytic anaemia, Coombs’ test, Haemoparasites,
Immunosuppressive therapy.
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