Blood transfusion

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Uses, Alternative techniques, Time required, Decision taking, Preparation, Aftercare, Immediate Aftercare, Sequelae, Prognosis, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s), Organization(s),
Contributors Ms Sarah Gould MVetMed MRCVS
Ms Danielle Coleman BSc(Hons) RVN
Dr Clive Elwood MA VetMB PhD CertSAC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA
Ms Samantha Taylor BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM-ca MRCVS

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.

Preparation

  • Collect blood sample from donor and recipient for typing/crossmatching  Blood: crossmatching  .
  • Collect any blood and bone marrow samples (if required for diagnosis).

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Transfusions may be a life saving procedure for patients and may buy the clinician time in order to carry out diagnostic procedures and start appropriate treatment. The prognosis will depend largely on the cause of the underlying disease and its response to treatment.

Sources

Publications

  • Recent references from PubMed.
  • Weinstein N M, Blais M C, Harris K, Oakley D A, Aronson L R, Giger U (2007) A newly recognized blood group in domestic cats: the Mik red cell antigen. J Vet Intern Med 21, 287-292 PubMed.
  • Hansen K (2006) Canine and Feline Transfusion Medicine. Veterinary Technician 411-422.
  • Knottenbelt C & Mackin A (1998) Blood Transfusions in the dog and cat Part 1. Blood Collection Techniques. In Practice 110-114.
  • Knottenbelt C & Mackin A (1998) Blood Transfusions in the dog and cat Part 2. Indications and safe administration. In Practice 191-199.

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