Immume-mediated hemolytic anemia in an English Springer Spaniel

Freckles, a nine year old male castrated English Springer Spaniel, was referred to Cornell University Hospital for Animals due to acute collapse and lethargy. Physical examination findings including icterus, pale mucous membranes, bounding femoral pulses, and hepatomegaly, as well as initial blood work, supported a diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Further diagnostics included infectious disease titers, a phosphofructokinase level measurement, an antinuclear antibody test, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, as well as hepatic and splenic aspirates. Initially Babesia gibsonii was suspected as the causative agent of the hemolytic anemia, but Babesia gibsonii PCR and serology tests returned negative. Freckles was treated with corticosteroids for immunosuppression, low-dose aspirin, and a combination of medications for the initially suspected Babesiosis. He was discharged in stable condition after 17 days of hospitalization