What Are the Treatments for Immune Mediated Neutropenia in Dogs?

Immune-mediated neutropenia (IMN), also known as steroid-responsive neutropenia, is a condition that may occur after an infection or after any other condition that has been treated with medications. It is considered an auto-immune disorder that can occur on its own or can coincide with another auto-immune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. The condition is found in dogs, cats and people but is not transmitted from one species to the other.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Ampicillin or other similar bactericidal antibiotics are given to the dog to prep the dog for the use of steriodal therapy. The length of antibiotic therapy is based on your dog's individual case. Other antibiotics may be used in dogs that have a history of adverse reactions to penicillin related antibiotics.

    Prednisone

    • Prednisone is used to increase your dog's beneficial neutrophil counts. If indicated, your dog may need to be hospitalized to begin closely monitored high doses of prednisone therapy prior to gradually being weaned off to a lower dose. It is common for a moderate dose of prednisone to be used throughout the life of your dog to keep this auto-immune disorder in check.

    Azathioprine

    • Azathioprine is often used in dogs that are placed on prednisone. In layman's terms, it is a compound that helps the beneficiary effects of the prednisone and limits negative side effects often associated with the use of the steriodal drug.

    Lithium Carbonate

    • According to a Canadian veterinary report on IMN by Belle Marie D. Nibblett, DVM and Anthony P. Carr, Dr. med. vet., DACVIM, lithium carbonate is used to treat chemotherapy-induced cases of IMN.