Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is a serious and potentially fatal immune disorder in dogs requiring urgent treatment, with significant welfare implications.
Acute IMHA causes severe weakness, collapse, jaundice and respiratory distress from profound anaemia. Welfare priorities include emergency stabilisation with blood transfusion where needed, rapid institution of immunosuppressive therapy, monitoring for thromboembolic complications which are common, providing intensive nursing care, and supporting owners through a challenging and emotionally demanding treatment process.