What Causes AIHA?

AIHA, or autoimmune hemolytic anemia, is a life-threatening, serious condition that occurs in dogs. Although there is no cure for the disease, it can be treated with medication and frequent trips to the veterinarian. The disease comes in two forms, primary and secondary. AIHA refers only to the primary form of this disease, as the secondary is called INHA, or immune mediated hemolytic anemia.

  1. What is AIHA?

    • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an immune deficiency abnormality. It is most commonly found in older, larger breeds of dogs. In dogs with AIHA, their red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, causing anemia. Unfortunately, even after extensive testing, no cause has been found for AIHA. The secondary form of the disease, INHA, is so named because it is exactly that, an occurrence which was brought on by another medication or treatment for another illness, such as cancer or heartworms. These medications cause the body to combat red blood cells even though that was not their prescribed purpose.

    What Causes AIHA?

    • Again, the cause of primary AIHA is unknown. However, the causes of INHA have been noted as medications, diseases and their treatments, insects (ticks, sand flies), and in some cases, diet. Thus, it is important to become well versed on what to give your dog and what to stay away from. With education comes the knowledge that could save your dog's life.

    AIHA's Attack on the Body

    • AIHA's attack on red blood cells poses a severely dangerous situation for a dog's body, as the red blood cells carry the most oxygen throughout the body. Consequently, dogs with this disease will often show symptoms related to oxygen deprivation. These symptoms include lethargy, passing out, dizziness, disorientation, lack of appetite, jaundice, and rapid heart beat/respiration.

    How Can I Prevent My Dog From Getting AIHA?

    • As with all illnesses, pay close attention to your dog's behavior. If it changes and he begins acting differently, something is probably wrong with him. If your dog is prescribed medication, ask what side effects it might have on your dog. Research your breed, as some are genetically predisposed to AIHA. Get your dog to a vet if anything seems out of the ordinary. If you have noticed the above-mentioned symptoms, there are a few guidelines you can follow to have your vet rule out AIHA. As the disease attacks red blood cells, a complete blood count (CBC) in an AIHA dog would test positive for regenerative anemia and spherocytes, a different form of red blood cell which appears in AIHA patients. A packed cell volume (PCV) is also an excellent diagnostic tool as it shows the ration of red blood cells.

    What Can I Expect if My Dog is Diagnosed with AIHA?

    • As all dog owners know, a sick dog can be a costly and emotionally draining experience; in the case of AIHA, it can be an ongoing one as well. After much research, most owners of dogs with AIHA report that the disease is extremely receptive to treatment. It is, however, a disease that must not be forgotten about. Proactive treatment and staying educated about the disease are the most effective ways to be sure you keep your dog healthy.