Study Start Date: 05/01/2012
Study End Date: 12/31/2012

Published study results can be found here.

Diagnosis of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) in Dogs.
The diagnosis of IMHA can be a challenge. We are assessing dogs for IMHA with Coombs' and other test methods. We will report the IMHA test and DEA 1.1 typing results for your patient. We are assessing various methods that might be suitable and indicated for future routine clinical use. This could have a direct impact on your clinic and patients (standardized and quick testing). Following preapproval, we are offering this diagnostic service free of charge, for a limited time: We require an EDTA blood sample and blood smear from your patient diagnosed or suspected to have primary or secondary IMHA.

Study Design:
Prospective case series

Sample Size:
60 dogs, 30 of which must be Coombs' Test positive

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anemic dogs diagnosed with or suspected to have primary or secondary IMHA.
• Can be on treatment as long the dog is still anemic.
• They can have autoagglutination and/or spherocytes.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dogs in remission.
• Dogs that are not anemic.
• Dogs not suspected to have IMHA.

Study Controls:
EDTA sample from healthy dogs We only need controls to detect any shipping artifacts.

Samples:
Blood Sample Collection: 1. Label each sample EDTA tube with the animal and owner's name and date of collection. 2. Collect 2–4 ml blood from the patient (larger volumes are needed for severely anemic animals). 3. If possible, include a 2 ml blood sample from a healthy adult dog to check for shipping artifacts (mark as control with owner/ animal's name and breed). 4. If possible, include serum from patient. 5. Mix the blood samples well and keep them refrigerated (but do not freeze) until shipped. 6. Blood Smear: Please prepare 1–2 blood smears from patient and labeled them. More information about sample collection and submission can be found here.

Files for Download:
Sample Submission form (PDF)

Costs/Reimbursments
All diagnostic tests run at UPenn will be free of charge.
In general we do not pay for shippment, in some very interesting IMHA cases we do so.
Please contact us.

Full Disclosure information:

• The study is unfunded.
• The investigator does not have a conflict of interest.
• The study will be published if results are negative
• The study will be reported on VIN
• The authors will acknowledge VIN if the study is published

Date published: 08/16/2012