Changes

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

Primary IMHA occurs with greater frequency in Cocker spaniels, Old English sheepdogs and standard Poodles but any breed of dog may be affected.  Middle-aged, entire female animals have been shown to be at increased risk of developing the disease in some studies.

Primary IMHA occurs with greater frequency in Cocker spaniels<ref>Weinkle TK, Center SA, Randolph JF, Warner KL, Barr SC, Erb HN. '''Evaluation of prognostic factors, survival rates, and treatment protocols for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs: 151 cases (1993-2002).''' ''J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Jun 1;226(11):1869-80.''</ref>, Old English sheepdogs and standard Poodles but any breed of dog may be affected.  Middle-aged, entire female animals have been shown to be at increased risk of developing the disease in some studies.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Affected animals have a reduced [[Packed Cell Volume|packed cell volume]] (PCV) or haematocrit (HCT) and often a reduced haemoglobin concentration.  IMHA causes a strongly [[Anaemia - Introduction|regenerative anaemia]] and evidence of macrocytosis (increased MCV) should be apparent after 48-72 hours in dogs.  A blood smear is extremely useful in evaluating cases of IMHA as '''spherocytes''' are often visible.  These small, dense red blood cells are formed due to partial phagocytosis of red blood cells by the MPS.  Polychromasia should also be visible on a blood smear from an animal undergoing regeneration and reticulocytosis can be confirmed using a supravital stain such as new methylene blue.

Affected animals have a reduced [[Packed Cell Volume|packed cell volume]] (PCV) or haematocrit (HCT) and often a reduced haemoglobin concentration.  IMHA causes a strongly [[Anaemia - Introduction|regenerative anaemia]] and evidence of macrocytosis (increased MCV) should be apparent after 48-72 hours in dogs.  A blood smear is extremely useful in evaluating cases of IMHA as '''spherocytes''' are often visible.  These small, dense red blood cells are formed due to partial phagocytosis of red blood cells by the MPS.  Polychromasia should also be visible on a blood smear from an animal undergoing regeneration and reticulocytosis can be confirmed using a supravital stain such as new methylene blue.

Reactive thrombocytosis and leucocytosis may be present with any cause of anaemia.

Reactive [[Platelet Abnormalities|thrombocytosis]] and leucocytosis may be present with any cause of anaemia.

====Biochemistry====

====Biochemistry====

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

 

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:To Do - James]]

[[Category:To Do - James]]

[[Category:Dog]][[Category:Cat]]

[[Category:Dog]][[Category:Cat]]