Use of human intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia in two cats

Abstract

A 2‐year‐old male neutered Maine Coon cat (Cat 1) presented to a referral centre with a 1‐day history of lethargy. A 3‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat (Cat 2) presented with a 1‐week history of inappetence and lethargy. Complete blood count revealed a severe, mildly regenerative, normocytic, normochromic anaemia for Cat 1, and a severe, non‐regenerative normocytic normochromic anaemia for Cat 2. Following further investigations, a diagnosis of non‐associative immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia was made. Treatment with immunosuppressive dosages of glucocorticoids was started; however, given the lack of response and severity of disease in both cases, it was decided to administer human intravenous immunoglobulin. There was improvement of haematocrit 2 days following the infusion for Cat 1, and 5 days after for Cat 2. Both cats were discharged from the hospital. Cat 1 remained in remission 6 months following the diagnosis, and Cat 2 was lost to follow‐up.