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Blood transfusion
Introduction
History
- 1665: First canine blood transfusion.
- 1950s: Canine and feline blood groups characterized.
- 1960s: Untyped, non crossmatched blood transfused in animals.
- 1980s: Component therapy starts to be used and blood banks develop at US universities and emergency clinics.
- 1988: First commercial US animal blood bank opens.
- Oct 2005: Change in legislation in the UK which allowed veterinarians to apply for a license from the VMD in order to bank pet blood products.
- Nov 2006: Animal Blood Register is launched, an online database where owners can register their pets as possible donors.
- Mar 2007: Pet Blood Bank - the first UK charity animal blood bank opened to collect, process and supply blood across the UK.
Uses
- Supportive care in management of anemia due to:
- Hemolysis Anemia: immune-mediated hemolytic.
- Failure of red cell production, eg renal failure Kidney: chronic kidney disease, bone marrow abnormalities.
- Hemorrhage.
- See transfusion for anemia for details Anemia: transfusion indications.
- Management of hypovolemia in hemorrhaging patient.
Alternative techniques
- Use of alternative fluid therapy:
- Colloid plasma volume expanders, eg Hemaccel for hypovolemia.
- Crystalloid fluids.
- Blood products (packed cells or plasma).
- Hemoglobin solutions.
Time required
Preparation
- Collect blood sample from donor and recipient for typing/crossmatching Blood: crossmatching.
- Collect any blood and bone marrow samples (if required for diagnosis).
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- Decision to transfuse is based largely on clinical condition of patient.
- Acute anemia Anemia: blood loss is far less tolerated in the patient than chronic anemia. With chromic anemia the bodys adaptive mechanisms have had chance to react, unlike acute anemia where a relatively small drop in PCV can give rise to marked clinical signs.
Risk assessment
Check List for donor
- All donors should:
- Be in good general health and a full clinical examination should be performed. An annual biochemistry and hematology may be performed.
- Donors should be regularly vaccinated and regularly treated for endo- and ecto-parasites.
- In the UK it is easiest to exclude animals that have traveled abroad to prevent the need for testing for foreign diseases.
- Feline donors should be tested negative for FeLV, FIV & FIA and for this reason indoors only donors are more suitable.
- The donor should not have received a previous transfusion Anemia: transfusion indications because of the risk that they may have developed antibodies.
- The donor should be aged 1-8 years, as over that age sub-clinical diseases, such as early renal failure, may be present and this disease may be exacerbated by blood donation.
- Feline donors should weigh over 4.5 kg with good body condition. 50-60 ml is usually taken as a standard donation from the feline donor.
- Donors should be of a good temperament, to make the blood donation as stress-free as possible for donor, owner and nurse/vet. Donors can be sedated if necessary.
- Pregnant animals should not be used, nor animals that have had previous pregnancies.
- Immediately prior to donation the donor should have their packed cell volume Hematology: packed cell volume and total solids/protein Blood biochemistry: total protein checked.
- Assessment of donor blood pressure is desirable as hypotension can indicate occult heart disease which can be exacerbated by sedation and blood donation.
- The donor must be blood typed (along with recipient) prior to transfusion.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Taylor S, Spada E, Callan M B, Korman R, Leister E, Steagall P, Lobetti R, Seth M,Tasker S (2021) 2021 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Collection and Administration of Blood and Blood Products in Cats. J Feline Med Surg 23(5), 410-432 PubMed Full Article.
- Taylor S, Spad E, Callan M B, Korman R, Ellie Leister, Steagall P, Lobetti R, Seth M, Tasker S (2021) 2021 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Collection and Administration of Blood and Blood Products in Cats. J Feline Med Surg 23(5), 410-432 PubMed Full Article.
- Pennisi M G, Hartmann K, Addie D D et al (2015) Blood transfusion in cats: ABCD guidelines for minimising risks of infectious iatrogenic complications. J Feline Med Surg 17 (7), 588-593 PubMed.
- Weinstein N M, Blais M C, Harris K et al (2007) A newly recognized blood group in domestic cats: the Mik red cell antigen. J Vet Intern Med 21 (2), 287-292 PubMed.
- Hansen K (2006) Canine and Feline Transfusion Medicine. Veterinary Technician 27 (7), 410-420 ResearchGate.
- Knottenbelt C & Mackin A (1998) Blood Transfusions in the dog and cat. Part 1. Blood Collection techniques. In Practice 20 (3), 110-114 VetMedResource.
- Knottenbelt C & Mackin A (1998) Blood Transfusions in the dog and cat Part 2. Indications and safe administration. In Practice 20 (4), 191-199 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Abrams-Ogg A (2000) Practical Blood Transfusion. In: Manual of Canine and Feline Haematology and Transfusion Medicine. Ed Day M, Mackin A, Littlewood J, BSAVA, Glos. pp 263-303.
Organisation(s)
- Pet Blood Bank UK - a national pet blood bank charity. Website: www.petbloodbankuk.org/