Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia
This disease is also referred to as AIHA and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA).
This disease can arise of itself, or it can be a complication of some other autoimmune disorders such as lupus, thyroid disease, leukaemia, lymphoma and a number of tumours. Essentially, AIHA is where the dog’s own antibodies attack his own red blood cells. It is most commonly seen in female dogs, and some breeds of dog have a genetic predisposition to it.
Symptoms include anaemia, high temperature, fatigue, exercise intolerance, pale or yellow gums and eyes, depression, blood in the urine, increased breathing and pulse rate, weight loss, orange urine and faeces, enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes, seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea, and degeneration of the nervous system. The disease can vary in severity, but death can occur rapidly, even with the appropriate treatment.
Vaccines are a known cause of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Other causes include bee stings, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some medications, including antibiotics and painkillers can also trigger this disease.
Treatment is with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant medications. Improvement will usually occur within one to three days if the dog is going to respond. In severe cases, blood transfusion, the removal of the spleen, and intravenous antibody therapy may be required. In some dogs, therapy needs to continue for a long time.
This disease is also referred to as AIHA and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA).
This disease can arise of itself, or it can be a complication of some other autoimmune disorders such as lupus, thyroid disease, leukaemia, lymphoma and a number of tumours. Essentially, AIHA is where the dog’s own antibodies attack his own red blood cells. It is most commonly seen in female dogs, and some breeds of dog have a genetic predisposition to it.
Symptoms include anaemia, high temperature, fatigue, exercise intolerance, pale or yellow gums and eyes, depression, blood in the urine, increased breathing and pulse rate, weight loss, orange urine and faeces, enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes, seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea, and degeneration of the nervous system. The disease can vary in severity, but death can occur rapidly, even with the appropriate treatment.
Vaccines are a known cause of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Other causes include bee stings, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some medications, including antibiotics and painkillers can also trigger this disease.
Treatment is with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant medications. Improvement will usually occur within one to three days if the dog is going to respond. In severe cases, blood transfusion, the removal of the spleen, and intravenous antibody therapy may be required. In some dogs, therapy needs to continue for a long time.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia can come on very suddenly, and to lose a dog in this way is devastating. In my experience the disease affects the ‘one in a million’ dogs; the special ones. These dogs are so in tune with their loved-ones, and so sensitive and sweet-natured, that their loss is almost unbearable. Science now knows that the immune system and the emotions mirror each other. Maybe these dogs are too sensitive for this world. Maybe their candles burn too brightly and expire too quickly.
Since the 1970s, it has been known that we don’t need to vaccinate our dogs against viral disease every year. Despite this, and even knowing that vaccines can trigger diseases such as AIHA, the veterinary community and the vaccine industry have not yet halted annual vaccination.
I have known people who, after losing their dogs to this disease, have needed to seek counselling and take antidepressants. They learnt the truth about over-vaccination too late.
As dog lovers, we need to do all we can to ensure that our dogs’ immune systems are healthy and strong, able to withstand bacteria, viruses and parasites. On an emotional level, we can learn much and become better human beings when we study the energy therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique, homeopathy, and the flower remedies.
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Since the 1970s, it has been known that we don’t need to vaccinate our dogs against viral disease every year. Despite this, and even knowing that vaccines can trigger diseases such as AIHA, the veterinary community and the vaccine industry have not yet halted annual vaccination.
I have known people who, after losing their dogs to this disease, have needed to seek counselling and take antidepressants. They learnt the truth about over-vaccination too late.
As dog lovers, we need to do all we can to ensure that our dogs’ immune systems are healthy and strong, able to withstand bacteria, viruses and parasites. On an emotional level, we can learn much and become better human beings when we study the energy therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique, homeopathy, and the flower remedies.
Back to:
Ill-Health & Disease
A to Z