Comments on: Immune‐Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia in Dogs

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 10:50:23 +0000

In reply to Kevin. Hi Kevin. That’s such a rare disease in cats (hence why this page is about dogs) that I can’t comment except to ask if you are certain about the diagnosis.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 04:56:17 +0000

My cat was just diagnosed with Immune‐Mediated anemia. She is only 5 years old and weighs 6lbs. Vet gave her IV fluids, B12 and iron injections, as well as steroid injection and I’ve started her on 5mg prednisone once a day. She seemed normal before injections, except she wasn’t eating her full meals, only eating some of it but was chasing her toys and jumping up and down. After injections she completely stopped eating. She is wobbly and can barely walk. Took her back to the vet and was told that I may need to put her to sleep. Or do a blood transfusion, cost of which starts at US$7,000 and goes up from there. And transfusion may or may not work.
I never thought I would lose my baby at this young age. She is my foster failure and had her since she was few month old.
I’m devastated and I feel I’ve failed her.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 07:29:17 +0000

I lost my beautiful cocker spaniel to this disease in May. We tried everything- over $40,000 dollars spent, medication, blood transfusions- It went on for over six months. I needed to read that I shouldn’t feel responsible. I wish I could have done more, even though I know in reality, I couldn’t have. Thank you for writing this.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:44:36 +0000

In reply to Melanie. Hi Melanie. I actually don’t know why zinc causes haemolysis (we don’t have coins containing it in Australia) and dogs don’t have the same types of placentas that humans do so blood mixing doesn’t tend to happen. As for pulmonary thromboembolism, that’s just how it is. Again, I’m not so sure of the reason why humans are different.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:20:19 +0000

Dear Dr. Andrew,
I have 2 questions. 1. Above in the article about dogs with hemolytic anemia you said: “A major risk for dogs with IMHA is pulmonary thromboembolism, especially in the first few weeks. This is when a blood clot forms in the lungs.” So dogs actually develop clots in the heart/lungs as opposed to us who usually throw a P.E. from a DVT? That is so strange. Also, my daughter, who is 24, had hemolytic jaundice after her c-section. I am O+ and she is A- or A+, sorry, I have forgotten. Anywho, I was told our different blood types mixed in the c-section. She was lucky and blessed because she didn’t need a transfusion! My question is crazy so please accept my apology in advance. Why is zinc a toxin in dogs that can cause hemolysis? Thank you!