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HOW TO...
Spot the signs of IMHA
IMHA is a life-threatening Check for jaundice How’s your
autoimmune disease where See if the whites of their eyes, skin or dog’s appetite?
the body’s immune system attacks gums have a yellow discolouration. It’s normally easy to tell if your dog
and destroys red blood cells. This As red blood cells are destroyed, the is eating less than usual – unless you
can cause severe anaemia, and liver produces more bilirubin to ‘clean’ have more than one dog who may
kidney and liver damage. the build-up of haemoglobin, causing be eating their leftovers. If they seem
The onset of this disease is often the appearance of jaundice. uninterested in food, they may be in
very sudden, with dog owners pain or feeling nauseous (which may
telling us, ‘Yesterday everything be a sign of liver or kidney problems).
was fine and today they’re fighting What colour is your
for their life’. Quick diagnosis dog’s urine? Is your dog
and treatment give patients If there’s more bilirubin than usual, breathing fast?
the best chance of survival. Here this will cause your dog’s urine to
are the key signs to look out for: become red or dark brown. Quick breathing could be a sign of
anaemia or blood clots in the lungs
Check your dog's gums Is your dog lethargic? (a complication in patients with IMHA).
We recommend checking your dog’s Have you noticed your dog is less If you think your dog could have
gums regularly, so you know what active or taking longer to recover from IMHA contact your vet immediately.
is normal for your dog. If your dog exercise? Are they uninterested in
won’t let you check their gums, ask activities they normally enjoy and ‘not The disease is typically treated
your vet for advice. Gums should look quite themselves’? If they’re sluggish, with blood transfusions and
‘salmon pink’ and be moist to the weak or generally have low energy immunosuppressive medications.
touch. Pale, white, yellow or grey gums this may suggest their cells aren’t To learn about our research into new
could signal anaemia or liver damage. getting enough oxygen. IMHA therapies read page eight.
Daphne the whippet
overcame IMHA
When Daphne was four months old she swallowed a
stick and needed emergency surgery at the RVC. She
had a septic abdomen and a tear in her diaphragm.
The surgery was successful, but she later developed
severe anaemia, suggestive of IMHA. This may have
been triggered by an anti-inflammatory response to the
antibiotics needed to control the sepsis.
Daphne received an emergency blood transfusion
and rapidly improved. She seemed brighter, her
appetite came back and after three days being cared for
in the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals she was
discharged. Daphne is now doing well at home.
Discover our special appeal to support our
Daphne pet blood donors on page five.
P&H AUTUMN 2024
