Whole blood transfusion in small animals: indications and effects

Abstract

Transfusion therapy is a major resource that can improve the patient's capability to overcome the underlying disease. However, the effects of whole blood infusion, and how they affect the patient's outcome, are not yet clear. For this study, a protocol was developed in order to monitor a group of 15 animals (9 dogs, 6 cats) that received a total of 19 transfusions; 3 animals received more than one transfusion each. The most common indications for blood transfusion included acute blood loss (47%), coagulopathy (33%) and other anaemias (20%). The mean pre-transfusion packed cell volume (PCV) of animals with acute blood loss (18%) was higher than in the group of coagulopathy (15%) or other anaemias (15%). The survival rates at 6 days after transfusion were greater in the coagulopathy (80.0%) and other anaemias (66.7%) than in the group of acute blood loss (42.9%). After transfusion, pulse rate ( p < 0.01) and platelet count ( p < 0.05) decreased significantly, and there was a significant increase in body temperature of the animals that suffered from hypothermia before the transfusion ( p < 0.05). Overall survival was predictable based upon posttransfusion body temperature, observed PCV change, the difference between the obtained and the calculated PCV, and administered transfusion volume ( p < 0.05).

Perioperative red blood cell transfusion requirement for various surgical procedures in dogs: 207 cases (2004–2013)

“…Large-and giantbreed dogs are often deep chested, making observation of organs in the thorax and cranial portion of the abdomen more difficult. 5,22,23 In the present study, survival rate at 2 weeks after surgery was inversely related to perioperative blood transfusion, meaning that those dogs undergoing perioperative RBC transfusion had a decreased chance of surviving to 2 weeks after surgery. Obesity is an accepted risk factor for increased surgical difficulty because excess adipose tissue may impede the surgeon' s ability to view the surgical site and may also contribute to the slippage of ligatures.…”

“…Although the only significant differences in mean body weight were found between patients undergoing partial gastrectomy and partial gastrectomy and splenectomy and those undergoing perineal herniorrhaphy, the lack of significant differences in mean body weight among all surgical types may reflect sample size and within-category variation. In another study by Godinho-Cunha et al, 23 15 dogs and cats received 19 RBC transfusions, and 60% survived to discharge from the hospital. Large-and giantbreed dogs are often deep chested, making observation of organs in the thorax and cranial portion of the abdomen more difficult.…”

“…Many of the surgical procedures considered in this study are performed more often in medium-to large-breed dogs; therefore, it seems likely that the type of surgery performed would be associated with body weight, but this assertion was not confirmed in the present study. 5,22,23 They also examined a broader population of patients requiring blood transfusion, including those with nonsurgical hemorrhage, hemolysis, and ineffective erythropoiesis. In addition, some dogs in the study population could be considered overweight or obese.…”

Exploration of risk factors for non‐survival and for transfusion‐associated complications in cats receiving red cell transfusions: 450 cases (2009 to 2017)

“…This is similar to a previous study (Godinho‐Cunha et al . ), in which lower survival rates were observed in dogs and cats after receiving blood transfusions due to acute blood loss. In the present study, a variety of causes were identified within the group of cats with anaemia due to blood loss.…”

“…, Godinho‐Cunha et al . ). While pre‐transfusion blood type compatibility testing is standard before any feline blood transfusion (Bücheler & Giger ), other pre‐transfusion testing is not performed as frequently.…”