Skip to main content
NCBI home page
The Canadian Veterinary Journal logoLink to The Canadian Veterinary Journal
. 2001 Jun;42(6):447–454.

Principles of transfusion medicine in small animals.

A Lanevschi 1, K J Wardrop 1
PMCID: PMC1476557  PMID: 11424576

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to provide the reader with an updated overview of small animal transfusion medicine, and an approach to integrating it into private practice, based on a review of the veterinary and human literature spanning the last 3 decades. Electronic, online databases that were searched included CAB International and Medline; multiple keywords or subject headings were searched that were appropriate to each of the sections reviewed: canine and feline blood groups, blood-typing and crossmatching, donors, blood collection, storage, blood components, blood transfusion, blood component therapy, blood substitutes, and adverse reactions. The safe use of blood component therapy requires knowledge of blood groups and antibody prevalence, and knowledge of the means to minimize the risk of adverse reactions by including the use of proper donors and screening assays that facilitate detection of serological incompatibility. The 2 assays available to the practitioner are crossmatching, which is readily done in-house, and blood typing. Blood typing is available in the form of a commercial testing kit, through use of purchased reagents, or via a request to an external laboratory. The risk of potentially fatal adverse reactions is higher in cats than in dogs. The decision to transfuse and the type of product to administer depend on several factors, such as the type of anemia and the size of the animal. In conclusion, transfusion medicine has become more feasible in small animal practice, with improved access to blood products through either on-site donors, the purchase of blood bank products, external donor programs, or the availability of blood component substitutes.

Full text

PDF
447

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Abrams-Ogg A. C., Kruth S. A., Carter R. F., Valli V. E., Kamel-Reid S., Dubé I. D. Preparation and transfusion of canine platelet concentrates. Am J Vet Res. 1993 Apr;54(4):635–642. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bird G. W. The history of blood transfusion. Injury. 1971 Jul;3(1):40–44. doi: 10.1016/s0020-1383(71)80138-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bull R. W. Antigens, graft rejections, and transfusions. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1982 Nov 15;181(10):1115–1119. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bücheler J., Giger U. Alloantibodies against A and B blood types in cats. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1993 Oct;38(3-4):283–295. doi: 10.1016/0165-2427(93)90088-l. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Dudok de Wit C., Coenegracht N. A., Poll P. H., van der Linde J. D. The practical importance of blood groups in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 1967 May;8(5):285–289. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1967.tb04552.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Freeman M. J., Kirby B. M., Panciera D. L., Henik R. A., Rosin E., Sullivan L. J. Hypotensive shock syndrome associated with acute Babesia canis infection in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1994 Jan 1;204(1):94–96. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Giger U., Bucheler J., Patterson D. F. Frequency and inheritance of A and B blood types in feline breeds of the United States. J Hered. 1991 Jan-Feb;82(1):15–20. doi: 10.1093/jhered/82.1.15. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Giger U., Gelens C. J., Callan M. B., Oakley D. A. An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 incompatibility in a previously sensitized dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1995 May 1;206(9):1358–1362. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Greenwalt T. J., Zehner Sostok C., Dumaswala U. J. Studies in red blood cell preservation. 2. Comparison of vesicle formation, morphology, and membrane lipids during storage in AS-1 and CPDA-1. Vox Sang. 1990;58(2):90–93. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1990.tb02068.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Griot-Wenk M. E., Callan M. B., Casal M. L., Chisholm-Chait A., Spitalnik S. L., Patterson D. F., Giger U. Blood type AB in the feline AB blood group system. Am J Vet Res. 1996 Oct;57(10):1438–1442. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Hale A. S. Canine blood groups and their importance in veterinary transfusion medicine. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1323–1332. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50157-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Harrell K. A., Kristensen A. T. Canine transfusion reactions and their management. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1333–1364. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50158-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Heaton A., Miripol J., Aster R., Hartman P., Dehart D., Rzad L., Grapka B., Davisson W., Buchholz D. H. Use of Adsol preservation solution for prolonged storage of low viscosity AS-1 red blood cells. Br J Haematol. 1984 Jul;57(3):467–478. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1984.tb02921.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Hondow J. A., Russell W. J., Duncan B. M., Lloyd J. V. The stability of coagulation factors in stored blood. Aust N Z J Surg. 1982 Jun;52(3):265–269. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1982.tb05399.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Hosgood G. Blood transfusion: a historical review. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1990 Oct 15;197(8):998–1000. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Howard A., Callan B., Sweeney M., Giger U. Transfusion practices and costs in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992 Dec 1;201(11):1697–1701. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Kakaiya R. M., Morse E. E., Panek S. Labile coagulation factors in thawed fresh frozen plasma prepared by two methods. Vox Sang. 1984;46(1):44–46. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1984.tb00046.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kerl M. E., Hohenhaus A. E. Packed red blood cell transfusions in dogs: 131 cases (1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993 May 1;202(9):1495–1499. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Kirby R. Transfusion therapy in emergency and critical care medicine. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1365–1386. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50159-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Knottenbelt C. M., Addie D. D., Day M. J., Mackin A. J. Determination of the prevalence of feline blood types in the UK. J Small Anim Pract. 1999 Mar;40(3):115–118. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1999.tb03051.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Koretz R. L. Intravenous albumin and nutrition support: going for the quick fix. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1995 Mar-Apr;19(2):166–171. doi: 10.1177/0148607195019002166. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kristensen A. T., Feldman B. F. General principles of small animal blood component administration. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1277–1290. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50154-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Lester S. J., Hume J. B., Phipps B. Haemobartonella canis infection following splenectomy and transfusion. Can Vet J. 1995 Jul;36(7):444–445. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Milam J. D., Buzzurro C. J., Austin S. F., Stansberry S. W. Stability of factors V and VIII in thawed fresh frozen plasma units. Transfusion. 1980 Sep-Oct;20(5):546–548. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1980.20581034508.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Mitchell S. G., Hawker R. J., Turner V. S., Hesslewood S. R., Harding L. K. Effect of agitation on the quality of platelet concentrates. Vox Sang. 1994;67(2):160–165. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1994.tb01652.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Murphy S., Gardner F. H. Effect of storage temperature on maintenance of platelet viability--deleterious effect of refrigerated storage. N Engl J Med. 1969 May 15;280(20):1094–1098. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196905152802004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Nilsson L., Hedner U., Nilsson I. M., Robertson B. Shelf-life of bank blood and stored plasma with special reference to coagulation factors. Transfusion. 1983 Sep-Oct;23(5):377–381. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1983.23584018713.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Nolte I., Mischke R. Investigations of platelet aggregation and platelet counts from stored canine whole blood. Res Vet Sci. 1995 Mar;58(2):190–192. doi: 10.1016/0034-5288(95)90076-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Schneider A. Blood components. Collection, processing, and storage. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1245–1261. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50152-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Shirani K. Z., Vaughan G. M., Mason A. D., Jr, Pruitt B. A., Jr Update on current therapeutic approaches in burns. Shock. 1996 Jan;5(1):4–16. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Smiley L. E., Garvey M. S. The use of hetastarch as adjunct therapy in 26 dogs with hypoalbuminemia: a phase two clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med. 1994 May-Jun;8(3):195–202. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1994.tb03215.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Smith C. A. Transfusion medicine: the challenge of practical use. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991 Mar 1;198(5):747–752. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Stone E., Badner D., Cotter S. M. Trends in transfusion medicine in dogs at a veterinary school clinic: 315 cases (1986-1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992 Apr 1;200(7):1000–1004. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Symons M., Bell K. Expansion of the canine A blood group system. Anim Genet. 1991;22(3):227–235. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1991.tb00672.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Valeri C. R., Pivacek L. E., Palter M., Dennis R. C., Yeston N., Emerson C. P., Altschule M. D. A clinical experience with ADSOL preserved erythrocytes. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1988 Jan;166(1):33–46. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Wardrop K. J., Lewis D., Marks S., Buss M. Posttransfusion purpura in a dog with hemophilia A. J Vet Intern Med. 1997 Jul-Aug;11(4):261–263. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1997.tb00100.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Wardrop K. J. Selection of anticoagulant-preservatives for canine and feline blood storage. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1263–1276. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50153-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Wardrop K. J., Tucker R. L., Anderson E. P. Use of an in vitro biotinylation technique for determination of posttransfusion viability of stored canine packed red blood cells. Am J Vet Res. 1998 Apr;59(4):397–400. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Wardrop K. J., Young J., Wilson E. An in vitro evaluation of storage media for the preservation of canine packed red blood cells. Vet Clin Pathol. 1994;23(3):83–88. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165x.1994.tb00684.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. YOUNG L. E., O'BRIEN W. A., SWISHER S. N., MILLER G., YUILE C. L. Blood groups in dogs--their significance to the veterinarian. Am J Vet Res. 1952 Apr;13(47):207–213. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. de Gopegui R. R., Feldman B. F. Use of blood and blood components in canine and feline patients with hemostatic disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1995 Nov;25(6):1387–1402. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(95)50160-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Canadian Veterinary Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

RESOURCES