Over the past three decades, a substantial body of clinical research and reports has built up covering feline blood types and transfusion medicine. This article draws on that research to provide clinical guidance aimed at all veterinarians in feline or small animal practice who either currently practise transfusion medicine or plan to do so.

Practical relevance

Blood transfusions are a potentially life-saving procedure that are within the reach of most small animal practitioners. Only minimal equipment is required.

Patient group
Any cat with clinical signs attributable to a reduced red blood cell mass that is affecting oxygen transport (as a result of reduced packed cell volume or acute blood loss) is a potential candidate for a transfusion.

Clinical challenges
Although the principles of transfusion medicine are not complicated, there can be fatal consequences if certain steps are omitted.

Diagnostics
Blood typing kits and blood filters are readily available from veterinary wholesalers, laboratories and blood banking services.

Evidence base
Over the past three decades, a substantial body of clinical research and reports has built up covering feline blood types and transfusion medicine. This article draws on that research to provide clinical guidance aimed at all veterinarians in feline or small animal practice who either currently practise transfusion medicine or plan to do so.

Chapter Outline:

• • • Basics of blood components
    • Whole blood
    • Packed red blood cells
    • Fresh frozen plasma
    • Cryoprecipitate
    • Cryo-poor plasma
    • Platelet-rich plasma
    • Cryopreserved canine platelet concentrate
    • Serum
    • Human albumin
    • Intravenous immunoglobulin
    • Sources of blood and blood products for transfusion
    • Blood donor selection
    • Dogs
    • Cats
    • Blood donor screening for infectious disease
    • Blood donor health maintenance
    • Equipment and supplies for collection of blood
    • Skin preparation
    • Anticoagulant solutions
    • CPDA-1
    • ACD
    • Additive Solutions
    • Leukoreduction filters
    • Collection of blood
    • Dogs
    • Cats
    • Pretransfusion compatibility testing
    • Dogs
    • Cats
    • Administration of blood and plasma
    • Adverse effects of transfusion
    • Definition
    • Acute immunologic transfusion reactions
    • Delayed immunologic transfusion reactions
    • Acute nonimmunologic transfusion reactions
    • Collection-Associated Changes in Blood
    • Storage-associated Changes in Blood
    • Administration-Associated Changes in Blood
    • Delayed nonimmunologic transfusion reactions
    • Evaluation of a patient with a suspected transfusion reaction
    • Prevention strategies
    • Crossmatch Procedure
    • Blood Type
    • Veterinary hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution (blood substitute)
    • References

• • Innate Immunity
  • Acquired Immunity
  • Tests for Immune-Mediated Disorders
  • Tests for Antierythrocyte Antibodies
  • Direct Antiglobulin Test or Coombs’ Test
  • Direct Immunofluorescence Flow Cytometry Assay
  • Direct Enzyme-Linked Antiglobulin Test
  • Blood Typing
  • Blood Cross-Match Tests
  • Tests for Antinuclear Antibodies
  • ANA Test
  • Lupus Erythematosus Cell Test
  • Tests for Antiplatelet Antibodies
  • Primary Immune-Mediated Disorders
  • Transfusion Reactions
  • Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
  • Primary Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
  • Primary Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia
  • Primary Immune-Mediated Neutropenia
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Tests for Immune Deficiency Disorders
  • Neutrophil Function Tests
  • Lymphocyte Assays
  • Serum Immunoglobulin Assays
  • Immunodeficiency Disorders
  • Clinical Signs
  • Inherited Neutrophil Defects
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Arabian Foals
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Jack Russell Terriers
  • X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Dogs
  • Serum Immunoglobulin Deficiencies
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency
  • Fell Pony Syndrome
  • Selective Immunoglobulin Deficiencies
  • Immunodeficiency in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • X-linked Agammaglobulinemia in Foals
  • Immunodeficiency in Weimaraner Dogs
  • Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia in Neonates
  • T Lymphocyte Immunodeficiency
  • T Lymphocyte Immunodeficiency in Growth Hormone-Deficient Dogs
  • Hypotrichosis with Thymic Aplasia in Cats
  • Lethal Acrodermatitis in English Bull Terriers
  • Complement Deficiency in Brittany Spaniel Dogs
  • Viral Immune Deficiency Disorders
  • Failure of Passive Transfer of Immunoglobulins
  • References

Twenty-five percent human serum albumin (HSA) is a foreign protein and can potentially cause immune-mediated reactions.  For this reason, the author only recommends 25% HSA use after risk analysis shows that the benefits outweigh the potential risks of adverse events.  If it is apparent that a critically ill animal may succumb to its illness because of the problems associated with severe hypoalbuminemia, the benefit outweighs the risk.

The veterinarian must inform the owner of potential delayed immune-mediated reactions, describe these lesions, and follow the case weekly to ensure that no reaction has occurred.  Although there are many positive attributes to the administration of 25% HSA, there seems to be specific situations in which 25% HSA may be indicated and others in which it may not be indicated.

•  
• • Etiology and Epidemiology
  • Babesiosis in Dogs
  • Babesia canis
  • Unnamed Large Babesia Species
  • Babesia gibsoni
  • Babesia conradae
  • Babesia microti–Like Organism
  • Feline Babesiosis
  • Clinical Features
  • Clinical Signs and Their Pathogenesis
  • Canine Babesiosis
  • Severe Babesiosis
  • Feline Babesiosis
  • Physical Examination Findings
  • Diagnosis
  • Laboratory Abnormalities
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Serum Chemistry Profile
  • Urinalysis
  • Coagulation Testing
  • Microbiologic Testing
  • Cytologic Diagnosis
  • Serologic Diagnosis
  • Molecular Diagnosis Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pathologic Findings
  • Treatment and Prognosis
  • Antiprotozoal Treatment
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Supportive Care
  • Immunity and Vaccination
  • Prevention
  • Public Health Aspects
  • References
  • Suggested readings
•