Blood Transfusion Flashcards
Causes of bleed
Trauma Neoplasia Coagulopathy
How to treat haemorrhagic shock
Crystalloids Blood transfusion
Criteria for canine blood donor
good temperament Accessible jugular vein no health problems vaccinated, heart worm prophylaxis larger then 25kg for 450ml collection negative for blood borne diseases in the area shouldn’t have previously received a transfusion blood typed
Criteria for feline Blood donor
More than 5kg for 50ml collection FeLV/FIV/mycoplasma negative Ideally indoor cat donors of both blood groups required
Difference between dog and cat blood antigens
Dogs do NOT have naturally occurring alloantibodies. Cats DO have naturally occurring alloantibodies
Canine blood types

Rules for giving canine blood
Give Negative blood to a negative or positive recipient
Give positive blood to a positive recipient
Feline blood type B cats
Have a very strong anti-A antibodies
-transfusion of A type cells would lead to a very severe haemolytic reaction and a 30% chance of death
Blood Type A cats
Have weak anti-B antibodies
- not usually life threatening
- RBCs survive 5-6 days
Blood Type AB cat
No alloantibodies to A or B
- should be given AB blood.
- Giving it type A blood will introduce anti-B antibodies which will attack its own RBCs
Why use cross matching?
Mix donor and recipient blood to look for agglutination
-Evaluates compatibility
Major cross matching
Recipient plasma with the donors RBCs
Protets against lysis of the transfused red cells
Minor cross match
Recipients RBCs with donor plasma
protect recipients RBCs
Collection of blood
Sterile skin preparation
Closed blood collection system ideal
Closed system anticoagulant
CPDA-1
citrate, phosphate, detrose, adenine
allows 21-35 days of storage
Anticoagulant in open system
Citrate
Steps in administering transfusions
- warm to room temp in water bath(37degrees)
Dont heat above 39degrees as this may destroy anticoagulation factors
-Deliver slowly initially (2-5ml/hr) for 20 mins to allow early recognition of transfusion reactions
NB: as fast as you like in peracute, life-threatening situations
-Give remainder over 4 hours (longer has a bacterial infection risk)
Fresh whole blood
RBCs, plasma proteins, all coagulation factors + some functional platelets
Stored whole blood
RBCs, plasma proteins, stable coagulation factors
can store for up to 35 days with CPDA-1
Autotransfused blood
RBCs, plasma protein and clots
Contraindicated with sepsis and neoplasia
Whole blood is indicated in?
Haemorrhagic shock
Coagulopathy coupled with anaemia
Packed red blood cells is indicated in?
Anaemia where intravascular volume in normal
- haemolysis
- decreased production
- slow, chronic loss (low GI bleed, fleas)
With other fluids for whole blood loss (hypovolaemia)
When to transfuse?
PCV = 20% compromised O2 delivery
More important in an actue injury rather than chronic
what is in fresh frozen plasma?
Disorders of secondary haemostasis (rodenticide, SIRS/sepsis, DIC) as it contains all clotting factors, antithrombin and anti-inflammatory proteins
Immunologic complications of transfusions
Haemolytic (acute or delayed)
Febrile-non haemolytic
Allergic reaction
TRIM (transfusion immunomodulation)
TRALI (transfusion acute lung injury)
Non immunologic complications of transfusions
Non immune mediated haemolysis (mechanical trauma, poor storage)
Bacterial contamination
Citrate toxicity,
Dilutional coagulopathy
Disease transmission
Circulatory overload (TACO)