Internal Medicine: Haematology and Transfusion: Transfusion Medicine

Question 1

What are the indications for blood transfusions?

Answer 1

Clinical sigs suggesting reduced oxygen provision
* tachycardia
* tachypnoea
* lethargy
* weakness

Question 2

What are the common available blood products?

Answer 2

• Whole blood
• Packed red cells
• Fresh frozen plasma
• Frozen/regular plasma

Question 3

What are the clinically relevant blood types in dogs and cats?

Answer 3

Dogs
DEA 1 either +ve or -ve
* DEA 1-ve reciviving +ve will have a mild delayed reaction
* 1+ve receiving -ve will not show any signs

First free in dogs

Cats
* A/B system- A dominant to B AB being polygenic
* Imperative to match- natural antibodies
* B to A is BAD
* A to B is not as BAD

Question 4

When is blood donor-recipient matching required?

Answer 4

If the animal has had previous transfusion unless within the first 3-5 days

Question 5

Describe the pathophysiology of transfusion reactions

Answer 5

Haemolytic
* Acute- severe, tachycardia, haemolysed serum- stop
* Delayed- mild, slow removal of cells

Respiratory
* TRALI
* TACO

Non-haemolytic- sepsis, citrate toxicity, pyrexia