Your veterinarian will note the anemia on routine laboratory tests. The laboratory pathologist will often pick up the microscopic organisms present in red blood cells during these routine tests. Also a Coombs test designed to detect the presence of autoantibodies against red blood cells may be helpful. Treatment includes blood transfusions if the anemia is severe or acute. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are often required early in the course of the disease in more severely affected animals to effectively reduce the immune related destruction of red blood cells inherent to this disease.
Prognosis is good if treated and managed effectively.
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