Last update October 7 2002

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.

 

 

 

  • Oxyglobin
    Other than a blood transfusion, Oxyglobin is the only treatment that provides immediate relief from the clinical signs of anemia in dogs.


  • Aarda
    American Autoimmune Diseases Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This page has been made in memory of
Nuna
   

Susann Stjernborg
Starcastle Hounds
Sweden

starcastlehounds@gmail.com

www.starcastlehounds.com

www.windhound.com


 

 

 

 

 

 

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