Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common disease that affects all breeds of dogs and can be fatal. It is an autoimmune disorder where the body makes antibodies that recognize your dog's own red blood cells. These antibodies damage the red cells leading to their removal from circulation - a process called hemolysis.

Goal: The purpose of this study is to determine if OKV-1001 is safe and more effective than prednisone alone for the treatment of IMHA. OKV-1001 is a new formulation of a drug called mycophenolic acid (MPA) that is used in the treatment of IMHA. This is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Eligibility: Your dog must be diagnosed with IMHA that is not believed to be caused by any medications or vaccines, be >12 months of age, be able to take oral medications, and have been treated with glucocorticoids (such as prednisone) for less than seven days prior to enrollment. Your dog must not be on any other immunosuppressive medication for other conditions (such as atopic dermatitis, etc) or have a previous diagnosis of IMHA.

Compensation: Your dog will benefit from the provision of diagnostic testing and follow-up monitoring at zero cost to you. The drug or placebo will also be provided free of charge. You will be responsible for all costs related to standard-of-care treatment of IMHA including hospitalization, blood transfusions, costs of non-study medications, etc., however you will receive a 10% hospital discount on these costs. Any tests or procedures unrelated to the study are the responsibility of the owner.

Owner Responsibilities: If you agree to let your dog participate in this study, your dog will receive the same diagnostic tests and treatments as for any other dog with this disease and will receive standard of care therapies. In addition, your dog will be randomly assigned to receive either OKV-1001 or a placebo. You will need to return to Cornell for multiple visits for follow up, similar to any patient undergoing care for IMHA.

Principal Investigators: John Loftus, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), and Robert Goggs, BVSc, DACVECC, DECVECC, PhD, MRCVS

Contact/Schedule an Appointment: Please contact the internal medicine service, the emergency service, or the clinical trials coordinator at 607.253.3060, or email vet-research@cornell.edu. Your referring veterinarian may also contact the hospital to refer your pet.