[Evaluation of different prognostic markers in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia]

Canine primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is associated with a high mortality rate. Hypothesis of this study was that laboratory parameters not only determined initially but also in the course of the disease might be useful as prognostic markers. Included in the study were dogs with primary IMHA. Inclusion criteria were anemia (PCV < 0.30 L/L), a positive Coombs'test or persistent autoagglutination of erythrocytes, and the exclusion of underlying diseases. Dogs were divided into two groups based on survival: dogs that were still alive 14 days after start of treatment (group 1) and dogs that died or were euthanized before day 14 (group 2). Hematological and biochemical analyses as well as a coagulation profile were performed initially and on day 3. Out of 37 dogs with primary IMHA 28 belonged to group 1 and 9 to group 2. Significantly associated with mortality were thrombocytopenia (p = 0.001), lymphopenia (p = 0.026), a prolonged PT (p = 0.003) and aPTT (p = 0.005), hypofibrinogenemia (p = 0.028), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (p = 0.019), and high plasma ALT (p = 0.003) and AST (p = 0.004) plasma activities on initial presentation, as well as a decrease in hemoglobin (p = 0.034) and an increase in WBC count (p = 0.034), plasma bilirubin (p = 0.012) and urea concentration (p = 0.003) between day 0 and 3. In conclusion various laboratory parameters were useful as prognostic