Case Presentation by:   Wade Shoemaker, Anneke Moresco and Angie Mexas

Patient Profile:  "Junior", a 5-year old, castrated male Dachshund.

History: "Junior" had been depressed for many days.  He had vomited once and had some bloody diarrhea.  He was now lethargic and anorectic.

Physical Examination:  Heart rate = 120/minute.  Pulse rate = 120/minute.  Respiratory rate = 28/minute.  Body weight = 8.4 kg.  "Junior's" capillary refill time was normal but his gums were a little pale.   Chest ausculted normally.  Spleen was enlarged on abdominal palpation.   Hematuria and melena were noted.

Laboratory Findings:  Elevated white cell count (25,500/uL); neutrophilia with left shift (16,800/uL; 1300/uL bands); lymphopenia (300/uL); monocytosis (2300/uL).  Regenerative anemia (3,710,000/uL; 333,900/uL reticulocytes).  PCV = 26%.  Platelets = 8000/uL.  BUN = 5 mg/dL.  Calcium = 8.4 mg/dL.   Total protein = 4.4 gm/dL.  Albumin = 2.2 gm/dL.  AST = 42 IU/L.   Potassium = 3.5 meq/L.  Coombs test = positive. 

Questions:   

• What are the typical signalments and clinical signs for IMHA?
• How do you diagnose IMHA?
• How do you treat IMHA?
• For long-term treatments, what parameters should be monitored on the patient?

Answers and Discussion:

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Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM, and Brenda McClelland, DVM, Colorado State University, 2000. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  04/19/00