{"id":1058,"date":"2014-11-11T12:07:28","date_gmt":"2014-11-11T16:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=1058"},"modified":"2018-07-27T11:17:47","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T15:17:47","slug":"immune-mediated-hemolytic-anemia-dog-owners-need-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/immune-mediated-hemolytic-anemia-dog-owners-need-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia: What Dog Owners Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"100_2657\"<\/a>As a pet owner, nothing is as scary as a disease that can take our pets from us without warning, and sometimes even without cause. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a condition that can do just that, though.<\/p>\n

Although you\u2019ve likely never heard of it, it\u2019s important to learn what you need to know so that if you ever have a pet who is affected by IMHA you can take prompt and effective action.<\/p>\n

What is Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

The name of the disease says it all. In pets affected by IMHA the immune system begins to destroy (hemolyze) the animal\u2019s own red blood cells, resulting in anemia.<\/p>\n

In IMHA the pet\u2019s antibodies begin to attack the red blood cells in the bloodstream. These cells become coated with antibody, targeting them for destruction. The body then lyses, or pops, these red blood cells, removing them from circulation.<\/p>\n

Because red blood cells are important for transporting oxygen throughout the body, when a pet has too few red blood cells, he or she essentially becomes oxygen-deprived. The spleen and liver, which normally help to clean up old red blood cells, also become overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

What are the Symptoms of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

Because patients with IMHA are suffering from a low red blood cell count, often pet owners will notice:<\/p>\n