Xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats: a review of 49 cases and their outcome

Abstract

Objectives To describe the use of a xenotransfusion protocol, the outcome of xenotransfusion in recipient cats and to assess owner memory of the xenotransfusion. Materials and Methods Cats administered xenotransfusions in two hospitals between January 2016 and July 2018 were included. Adherence to xenotransfusion protocol, cause of anaemia, blood type, packed cell volume (PCV), transfusion volume, transfusion reactions, PCV 12 hours after transfusion and survival to discharge were recorded. Owners of surviving cats were questioned to assess if they remembered that a xenotransfusion had been performed. Results Forty‐nine cats underwent the xenotransfusion protocol. The most common causes of anaemia were surgical blood loss (n = 17), immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia (n = 14) and neoplasia (n = 14). Median PCV before transfusion was 10%. Six cats (12%) had febrile non‐haemolytic transfusion reactions. Median PCV 12 hours after transfusion was 25%. Ten cats (20%) died or were euthanased within 24 hours of xenotransfusion. A delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction occurred in 25 of 39 (64%) cats manifesting as icterus in 15 cats after a median of 1.9 days and haemolytic serum in 19 cats after a median of 2 days. Of the 18 cats alive at 1 week after discharge, 15 (83%) were still alive at a median of 173 days after xenotransfusion. All owners contacted remembered that their cats had received a xenotransfusion. Clinical Significance Xenotransfusion of canine packed red blood cells to cats is possible but haemolysis should be expected between 1 and 6 days after transfusion.

Preliminary Investigation of Bovine Whole Blood Xenotransfusion as a Therapeutic Modality for the Treatment of Anemia in Goats

“…In a recent retrospective study of 49 canine whole blood to feline transfusion patients, 10 died or were euthanized within 24 h, and a hemolytic transfusion occurred in 63% of the cats (16). That study also identified a febrile non-hemolytic reaction in 12.2% of the cats (16), which was similar to the 10% rate previously reported by another study (20). Azotemia postxenotransfusion is another adverse effect that has been noted in small animal species (5).…”

“…Xenotransfusion has been successfully described in multiple veterinary species for emergency situations (8,(15)(16)(17). Many species differ in blood types and presence of naturally occurring alloantibodies.…”

“…These limitations have led to the exploration and use of xenotransfusion in certain species. Due to the lack of availability of feline type B blood and the presence of natural alloantibody production in cats, there are several documented cases of cats being transfused with canine blood, with the first study of the practice being reported by Hessler et al (18), Euler et al (6), and Le Gal et al (16). More recently, a 13 month old Sphinx cat was transfused with 131 ml of canine blood due to hemorrhage from the caudal intercostal artery during patent ductus arteriosus ligation (19).…”

“…The Sphinx cat did not display any evidence of hemolysis or anemia after the transfusion (19) and neither did the cat undergoing the ultrasound-guided procedure (7). In a recent retrospective study of 49 canine whole blood to feline transfusion patients, 10 died or were euthanized within 24 h, and a hemolytic transfusion occurred in 63% of the cats (16). That study also identified a febrile non-hemolytic reaction in 12.2% of the cats (16), which was similar to the 10% rate previously reported by another study (20).…”

Is xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats really a bad practice?

“…In this issue of JSAP , Le Gal et al . () report the largest case series of dog‐to‐cat xenotransfusions, confirming previous observations regarding its relative safety. The authors studied the characteristics and outcome of 49 cats that received xenotransfusion with canine blood in two university referral hospitals between January 2016 and July 2018.…”