BackgroundOutcome prediction in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is challenging and few prognostic indicators have been consistently identified.ObjectivesAn online case registry was initiated to: prospectively survey canine IMHA presentation and management in the British Isles; evaluate 2 previously reported illness severity scores, Canine Hemolytic Anemia Score (CHAOS) and Tokyo and to identify independent prognostic markers.AnimalsData from 276 dogs with primary IMHA across 10 referral centers were collected between 2008 and 2012.MethodsOutcome prediction by previously reported illness‐severity scores was tested using univariate logistic regression. Independent predictors of death in hospital or by 30‐days after admission were identified using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsPurebreds represented 89.1% dogs (n = 246). Immunosuppressive medications were administered to 88.4% dogs (n = 244), 76.1% (n = 210) received antithrombotics and 74.3% (n = 205) received packed red blood cells. Seventy‐four per cent of dogs (n = 205) were discharged from hospital and 67.7% (n = 187) were alive 30‐days after admission. Two dogs were lost to follow‐up at 30‐days. In univariate analyses CHAOS was associated with death in hospital and death within 30‐days. Tokyo score was not associated with either outcome measure. A model containing SIRS‐classification, ASA classification, ALT, bilirubin, urea and creatinine predicting outcome at discharge was accurate in 82% of cases. ASA classification, bilirubin, urea and creatinine were independently associated with death in hospital or by 30‐days.Conclusions and clinical importanceMarkers of kidney function, bilirubin concentration and ASA classification are independently associated with outcome in dogs with IMHA. Validation of this score in an unrelated population is now warranted.
In this study, unlike the hypercoagulability observed in human orthopedic patients, a hypercoagulable state as measured by thromboelastometry did not develop in dogs following orthopedic surgery.
This retrospective study suggests that feline trombiculosis is probably underestimated as a cause of pruritus and dermatological lesions. Epidemiological data regarding this infestation in cats are still lacking, and it will be interesting to perform a multicentre study to increase knowledge of this disease.
An 11-year-old, male neutered Jack Russell Terrier was referred with a 4-day history of lethargy, hyporexia and haemorrhagic diarrhoea. It was diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. Treatment with immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone and ciclosporin resulted in marked clinical improvement. The chronology of the three disease processes and the possibility of their interlinked aetiopathogenesis are discussed. This case demonstrates the clinical presentation of a mosaic of suspected immune-mediated disease and the importance of considering that when one arises others may manifest in the same patient.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.