Cross-sectional study of approaches to diagnosis and management of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in primary care and referral veterinary practices in the United Kingdom

Glanemann, Barbara; Tayler, Sarah; Sparrow, Richard; Skelly, Barbara; Swann, James; Hall, Harriet

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether veterinarians in PCPs and BCCs approach treatment of dogs with IMHA similarly, and whether practitioners with more experience treat similarly to those with less experience. We hypothesised those in PCPs would show more variation in their approach to similar cases than BCCs.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to BCCs in internal medicine and veterinarians in PCPs. The questionnaire included direct questions and a number of clinical scenarios intended to capture approaches to common treatment problems. Responses of BCCs and those in PCPs were compared.
Results: Questionnaire responses were received from 241 veterinarians, including 216 in PCPs and 25 BCCs. All veterinarians reported use of similar initial dosages of glucocorticoids but those used by more experienced practitioners were higher than those with less experience. All veterinarians made allowances for the weight of dogs in selecting a dosage. BCCs reported greater use of combinations of immunosuppressive drugs and of antithrombotic drugs; use of antithrombotic drugs was also less common among more experienced practitioners compared to less experienced.
Clinical importance: Approaches to treatment of dogs with IMHA differ between BCCs and those in PCP, and with length of time working in PCP. These differences may affect design and implementation of future research studies and clinical guidelines.

Citation

Glanemann, B., Tayler, S., Sparrow, R., Skelly, B., Swann, J., & Hall, H. (2021). Cross-sectional study of approaches to diagnosis and management of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in primary care and referral veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. PLoS ONE, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257700

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 7, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 20, 2021
• Deposit Date: Nov 2, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 2, 2021
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257700
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1442856