Transfusions of whole blood and packed red blood cells in dogs

During a 2-year study period (10/96 to 9/98) at the Small Animal clinic, University of Berlin, ail erythrocyte transfusions were reviewed to assess the indications for red blood cell transfusions, transfusion volume, patient outcome as well as type of acute transfusion reactions. A total of 103 dogs received 186 blood transfusions including 49 (29 %) of whole blood (WB) and 137 (74 %) of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). WE was only given to dogs with acute bleeding due to thrombocytopenia (16 dogs) or coagulopathies (7) or to very small sized dogs (< 10 kg) in need of less than 150 mi of blood. 59 dogs received transfusions because of (per-)acute and 6 dogs because of chronic blood loss. Main reasons for blood loss were coagulopathy (14 dogs), thrombocytopenia (14), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (9), trauma (8), neoplasia (7), hemometra (6), and surgical procedures (5). Fifteen dogs had immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and 7 dogs had other types of hemolytic anemia. 14 dogs suffered from ineffective erythropoiesis. The transfusion volume of PRBCs ranged from 1.8 to 33.3 ml/kg body weight (mean 9.4) and that of WE from 3.7 to 50.0 ml/kg (mean 17.5). Only 29 % of dogs with (per-) acute hemorrhage, but 60 % of dogs with chronic hemorrhage, 72 % with hemolysis and 45 % with ineffective erythropoiesis were severely anemic (PCV < 15 %). The transfusion volume calculation appeared useful to predict the hematocrit rise. The survival rate 24-hours post transfusion was slightly lower in animals with (per-)acute hemorrhage (76%) than in those with chronic hemorrhage (100 %), hemolysis (100 %) or ineffective erythropoiesis (93 %). Transient transfusion reactions were observed during or shortly after transfusions in 2.2 % of 186 erythrocyte transfusions. Transfusions of WE and PRBCs were found to be efficacious and safe in supporting dogs with decreased oxygen carrying capacity.