Non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia in a dog managed following splenectomy and ovarian remnant removal

Abstract A 3‐year‐old, female, neutered, crossbreed dog was diagnosed with non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia. Bone marrow cytology was hypercellular, with signs of maturation arrest and rubriphagocytosis. During the initial investigations, a suspected ovarian remnant was identified. The patient was stabilised with a packed red blood cell transfusion and started on immunosuppressive medication. The anaemia remained non‐regenerative and gradually worsened over the next 2 months. Due to lack of response, splenectomy and ovarian remnant excision was performed. Splenic histopathology revealed evidence of erythrophagia. Two weeks following surgery, complete blood count revealed mild reticulocytosis, and the patient subsequently achieved clinical remission. Twenty‐one months following splenectomy, the patient continued to do well. Splenectomy may be considered as an additional immune‐modulating option in refractory cases of canine non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia.