Improved bilirubin reduction with therapeutic plasma exchange and haemoperfusion in a dog with immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia

Abstract A 6‐year‐old spayed female Golden Retriever mix was diagnosed with immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia. Initial treatments included immunosuppression and blood transfusions. With acute mentation decline and rapid increase in serum bilirubin, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated. The patient received three total treatments: one treatment of membrane‐based TPE only and two treatments of an adsorption haemoperfusion filter incorporated in the circuit of TPE. Total bilirubin concentrations decreased by 31.2% following the first treatment compared to 59.6% and 61.0% following the second and third treatments, respectively, indicating the benefit of TPE with an adsorption filter for the treatment of severe hyperbilirubinaemia and possibly associated kernicterus.