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Review
. 2011 Jan;13(1):11-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2010.11.006.

Feline blood transfusions: A pinker shade of pale

Dominic Barfield  1 , Sophie Adamantos
Affiliations
Review

Feline blood transfusions: A pinker shade of pale

Dominic Barfield et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Mucous membranes of a cat with methaemoglobinaemia
None
Guidelines for transfusion used by the authors
FIG 2
FIG 2
RapidVet-H feline blood typing cards, revealing type A (left) and type B (right) blood
FIG 3
FIG 3
DME blood typing kit, complete with reagent strip and buffer. EDTA blood is required for typing, which in this case reveals type A
FIG 4
FIG 4
Blood type AB, determined using the DME blood typing system
FIG 5
FIG 5
Equipment for an open blood collection system, including butterfly catheter and syringes pre-filled with anticoagulant
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Donor restraint and positioning for blood collection
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Blood collection using an open collection system
FIG 6
FIG 6
Priming the blood through extension tubing and a disposable 18 micron filter, prior to transfusion
FIG 7
FIG 7
Transfusion monitoring sheet on a hospital cage. The first row of data comprises the pre-transfusion clinical parameters
FIG 8
FIG 8
Patient receiving a typed blood transfusion. Note the Hemo-Nate blood filter in series with the extension tubing
None
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Castellanos I, Couto CG, Gray TL. Clinical use of blood products in cats: a retrospective study (1997–2000). J Vet Intern Med 2004; 18: 529–32. - PubMed
    1. Weingart C, Giger U, Kohn B. Whole blood transfusions in 91 cats: a clinical evaluation. J Feline Med Surg 2004; 6: 139–48. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Klaser DA, Reine NJ, Hohenhaus AE. Red blood cell transfusions in cats: 126 cases (1999). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005; 226: 920–23. - PubMed
    1. Roux FA, Deschamps JY, Blais MC, Welsh DM, Delaforcade-Buress AM, Rozanski EA. Multiple red cell transfusions in 27 cats (2003–2006): indications, complications and outcomes. J Feline Med Surg 2008; 10: 213–18. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Griot-Wenk ME, Giger U. Feline transfusion medicine. Blood types and their clinical importance. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1995; 25: 1305–22. - PubMed

Further reading

    1. Giger U. Blood-typing and cross matching. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC, eds. Current veterinary therapy XIV. Oxford; Elsevier, 2009: 260–65.
    1. Hohenhaus AE. Blood transfusions, component therapy, and oxygen-carrying solutions. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of veterinary internal medicine. 7th edn. Oxford; Saunders, 2010: 537–45.
    1. Bighignoli B, Owens SD, Froenicke L, Lyons LA. Blood types of domestic cats. In: August JR, ed. Consultations in feline internal medicine 6. Saunders, 2010: 628–38.
    1. BSAVA Manual of haematology and transfusion medicine. Gloucester, British Small Animal Veterinary Association.