Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, Canine - contd.
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is a very serious disease. While overall about 20 to 40 percent of patients with IMHA are thought to die either from the disease itself or from its complications or treatment, this figure may be as high as 80 percent for the most severely affected dogs. Many studies have looked at possible factors that play a role in prognosis. Some factors that may be associated with greater likelihood of a poor outcome include a marked elevation of serum bilirubin, lower packed cell volumes at the time of presentation, the need for multiple transfusions, and the occurrence of pulmonary blood clots. Only an attempt at treatment will help determine the outcome in an individual dog. Those dogs that respond rapidly and favorably to treatment may do very well. Other dogs may require hospitalization for days to weeks before it becomes clear if they will survive or not.
