IMHA Emergency Signs

Pale, white or grey mucous membranes can occur with significant anaemia or impaired circulation and warrant prompt veterinary assessment, particularly if accompanied by weakness, breathing difficulty or collapse.

Yellow discolouration of the gums, sclera or skin may reflect increased bilirubin. Haemolysis is one possible cause, but liver and biliary disease can also cause icterus. In an animal with known or suspected IMHA, new or increasing jaundice warrants veterinary assessment.

Dark red, brown or tea-coloured urine can occur with haemoglobinuria during intravascular haemolysis, but urine colour alone cannot establish the cause. Blood, myoglobin, concentration, bilirubin and other abnormalities can also alter urine colour. A new or marked colour change should be reported promptly to the veterinary team.

A sustained increase in resting or sleeping respiratory rate, increased breathing effort, open-mouth breathing, abdominal effort or distress at rest can indicate clinically important deterioration. Anaemia, pain, fever, cardiopulmonary disease and thromboembolism are among many possible causes. Marked breathing difficulty requires urgent veterinary assessment.

Petechiae are small red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes. They can occur with low platelet counts or other clotting/bleeding disorders and warrant prompt veterinary assessment. They do not by themselves diagnose Evans syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other specific condition.