Evaluation of whole blood transfusions in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

The efficacy of homologous whole blood transfusions for treating acute blood loss in birds was evaluated in domestic pigeons (Columba livia). Pigeons were divided into three groups: in group 1, birds were bled twice 6 hours apart at 3% of their body weight per bleeding, then transfused with approximately 3% of their body weight in cross-match-compatible homologous whole blood; in group 2, birds were bled twice, as described above, and left untreated; and in group 3, birds were bled once at 3% of their body weight and left untreated. All pigeons were monitored by measuring serial packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total solids values for 342 hours. The PCV values from 12 to 102 hours after the initial bleeding were significantly greater in pigeons that received transfusions than in pigeons that were bled twice and not treated. However, plasma total solids values were not significantly different in these groups. No significant differences in PCV or plasma total solids values were found between pigeons that were bled twice and transfused and pigeons that were bled only once. A gamma camera was used to record the distribution of (99m)technetium-labeled homologous red blood cells (RBCs) transfused to three pigeons. A stable distribution of approximately 30% of the labeled RBCs within the area of the liver, 9% within the area of the spleen, and 11% within the area of the heart was observed over 12 hours. In vitro technetium labeling studies demonstrated >98% initial labeling efficiency for pigeon RBCs with a commercially available human RBC labeling product.