The following therapies are used in the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. However, it should be noted that each dog diagnosed with this disease will tolerate each treatment in a different manner. Because of that fact, be certain to discuss all treatment options with your veterinarian, before embarking on any treatment program for your dog. Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug that suppresses the immune system. Very high doses of this immunosuppressive drug are given initially in an effort to stop the destruction of red blood cells and thus induce a remission.
Improvement usually occurs within a few days, if the dog is going to respond.
The minimum dosage of prednisone given at the onset of AIHA is 1 mg per pound per day divided into two dosages. The dosage of prednisone should be tapered off very slowly over many months. The aim is to get the dog to the lowest maintenance dosage possible or off the drug completely. Long term prednisone use may result in liver damage. Some veterinarians advocate giving corticosteroids at least one week to work before adding other drugs to the treatment regimen while other veterinarians prefer to add cytotoxic drugs at presentation.