Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in a canine patient

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is an autoimmune disease process whereby the patient's immune system targets and destroys the body's own red blood cells. It can be triggered by many factors including infection, neoplasia or inflammatory processes. This case report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of IMHA in a 9-year-old male neutered Labradoodle. The nursing care and considerations for this case will be discussed and critically evaluated. The patient had additional complicating factors of pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia and recumbency. The nursing considerations for these additional factors are also discussed. Following significant gastrointestinal haemorrhage, this patient experienced cardiopulmonary arrest; resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The case report aims to highlight the significant role veterinary nurses can have in the discussion and management of hospitalised IMHA cases.