Intravenous human immunoglobulin for the treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in 13 dogs

J Vet Intern Med. 1997 Nov-Dec;11(6):327-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1997.tb00475.x.

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVGG) was administered to 13 of 37 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. All dogs received concurrent prednisone therapy, 14 dogs also received cyclophosphamide; and a single dog each received cyclosporine, azathioprine, and danazol. Dogs that responded to prednisone therapy without IVGG generally did so within 7 days (mean +/- standard deviation = 5.6 +/- 2.9 days). Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered after 10.4 +/- 6.6 days of prednisone therapy as an intravenous infusion of 0.5 g/kg (range 0.25 to 0.73 g/kg). Eleven dogs received a single treatment, 2 dogs each received 2 treatments. No relevant adverse effects were noted. Eleven dogs had an increase in PCV of at least 4% 2.2 +/- 1.5 days after IVGG infusion. In 10 of these dogs, the PCV continued to increase until the time of hospital discharge. One responder died 1 hour after the increase in PCV, 1 dog was euthanized within 24 hours of IVGG administration, and 1 dog had no response over a period of 13 days. Results of this study suggest that IVGG therapy may be of value in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia that do not respond within 7 days of appropriate corticosteroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic / immunology
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / therapy
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy
  • Ovariectomy
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone