Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs

Category
Blood
Breeds documented
10
Published sources
8

Overview

In immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, the body's defenses mistakenly destroy red blood cells. This causes anemia, meaning the red blood cell count becomes too low. Dogs may become tired, pale or yellow around the gums and eyes. The illness may develop gradually or worsen suddenly. Abnormal blood clots are another serious complication and can damage organs.

Signs to watch for

  • Low energy or unusual tiredness
  • Pale gums
  • Yellow coloring of the gums, skin or whites of the eyes
  • Weakness
  • Reduced appetite

Often diagnosed in middle age, although younger and older dogs can be affected.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog has pale gums and sudden weakness.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets first confirm anemia and look for evidence that red blood cells are being destroyed. They examine a blood smear and may test for abnormal cell clumping or antibodies attached to red cells. Results must be interpreted together, while investigating possible infections and other associated illnesses.

Breeds with documented risk

10 breeds

By breed size
  • 1 Toy
  • 3 Small
  • 4 Medium
  • 2 Large

Most popular breeds on this list

All 10 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. merckvetmanual.com
  2. merckvetmanual.com
  3. vet.cornell.edu
  4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Airedale Terrier: jlupub.ub.uni-giessen.de
  7. Bichon Frise: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Lapponian Herder: kennelliitto.fi