Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia causes rapid, life-threatening destruction of red blood cells in dogs, requiring emergency treatment and careful management to prevent welfare catastrophe.
IMHA causes acute, severe suffering. Dogs with rapidly dropping red blood cell counts become profoundly weak - unable to stand, breathing rapidly to compensate for oxygen deficit, and showing the visible distress of severe anemia. Emergency transfusions are life-saving but the procedure itself causes stress. Long-term prednisone treatment causes side effects including increased thirst, hunger, weight gain, and Cushing's-like symptoms that reduce quality of life. The fear of relapse - which occurs in 15-30% of survivors - creates ongoing anxiety for owners and may affect the emotional environment of affected dogs.