Diagnostic utility of thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound in canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

The utility of thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound to identify abnormalities in canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is evaluated. Dogs with regenerative anemias and a clinical diagnosis of IMHA that had thoracic radiographs or abdominal ultrasound performed as part of the evaluation were included. The utility of imaging studies was assessed based on a previously utilized scheme. Patient population and clinical signs were consistent with previous reports of IMHA. In 38 out of 50 dogs, the same clinical evaluation and assessment would have been performed without thoracic radiographs. In 32 out of 64 dogs, the same clinical evaluation and assessment would have been performed without abdominal ultrasound. The results indicate that thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound are of variable utility in identifying concurrent abnormalities in canine patients with IMHA. Prospective studies should be designed to further investigate whether abnormalities identified on imaging studies are related to the IMHA or affect patient prognosis. Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.