Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in dogs

The clinical, haematological and immunological findings in 24 dogs with Coombs' positive haemolytic anaemia are described; 33% were Old English Sheepdogs. Dogs with intravascular haemolysis had a shorter history of illnesses, more severe clinical signs including vomiting, jaundice and fever, and had a poor survival rate compared to dogs with extravascular haemolysis. The anaemia was severe and regenerative in 18 dogs, and was characterised by spherocytosis and microscopic red cell agglutination, with leukocytosis. Serum IgG levels were elevated in 20 dogs, and changes in IgM, IgA, C3 and C4 were found. Antinuclear antibody was also demonstrated in 13 dogs, of which 7 were Old English Sheepdogs. It is suggested that a distinct multisystem autoimmune syndrome exists within the local Old English Sheepdog population.