Her doctor said that if she survived the initial crisis she might live two or three more years. Nine years later, Meisha is not only surviving, but totally thriving. This site is dedicated to her and all the other dogs and their families who struggle with this disease.
Lets define the terms of the disease one at a time.
The immune system wishes to attack the offending agent, but manages to injure the red blood cells as well. When the spleen and the rest of the immune system is working to rid the body of the old, diseased or damaged red blood cells, it is doing its job properly. When a large percentage of the cells are affected, and they are removed faster then they are replaced, AIHA results. The destruction of red blood cells often leaves recognizable cellular debris in the blood stream. In particular, a form of damaged red blood cell known as a spherocyte occurs.