Nuna's
AIHA, IMHA and ITP Links Nuna
1997 - 2000
Kristull Annunciata
Victim of ITP
(immune mediated
thrombocytopenia)
Explanation
of terms
AIHA
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
The body attacks its own red blood cells.
AIHA is classified as a primary immune disease. No
underlying cause of the immune destruction can be found after
an exhaustive clinical and laboratory evaluation.
Blood transfusions are rarely used. Adding foreign protein can
actually intensify the crisis state, increase the amount of bilirubin
and other breakdown products the liver must process, and suppress
the bone marrow's natural response to anemia. In a life-threatening
anemia, cross-matched blood may be transfused along with immunosuppressive
therapy
IMHA
Immune- mediated hemolytic anemia
The body's own immune system attacks its red blood cells:
A secondary disease is called immune-mediated hemolytic
anemia (IMHA). IMHA refers to all anemias that occur when the
immune system inadvertently destroys its own blood cells secondary
to an immune attack directed against an underlying condition
such as cancer, endocarditis, heartworm or by unidentifiable
causes as in AIHA.
ITP
immune- mediated thrombocytopenia
The body's own immune system attacks its platelets.
Both IMHA and ITP can be classified as "primary" or
"secondary". In primary disease, no underlying cause
of the immune destruction can be found after an exhaustive clinical
and laboratory evaluation. In comparison, secondary IMHA or ITP
occurs when the immune system inadvertently destroys its own
blood cells or platelets secondary to an immune attack directed
against an underlying condition such as cancer, infection, a
drug or toxin exposure. If an underlying condition is present,
it is critical to attempt to correct that problem while simultaneously
treating the immune disease.
Transfusion of fresh whole blood or of platelet-rich plasma can
be helpful in ITP.
Links
AIHA Forum
A forum for owners of dogs with AIHA (and IMHA and ITP) at Vetnet
AIHA
What every owner of an AIHA
dog needs to know
Possible causes of IMHA and ITP
IMHA and ITP can be secondary
diseases to infections such as Erlichia, Lyme and Babesia.
Many of the symptoms are also very much alike and the tick borne
diseases themselves can be mistaken for AIHA, IMHA and ITP.
AIHA
An informational brochure
of Auto immune hemolytic anemia
Lilli's Legacy
A comprehensive guide to AutoImmune
Hemolytic Anemia
including autoimmunity, pathophysiology, diagnosing, therapy,
supportive care, and questions to ask your veterinarian.
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Wing'n'wave
Labradors
This page also has a link collection to recent Medical Publications
for AIHA and possible causes of AIHA