Pet Transfusion Therapy Service In Port Charlotte, FL

Pet Transfusion Therapy

Blood transfusions are frequently necessary in the treatment of acute or chronic anemias, as well as in cases of acute hemolysis or bleeding. Many times, whole blood, red cells, plasma, or platelets must be repeatedly transfused into animals with hemostatic diseases. Blood transfusions must be administered carefully since they may worsen the condition of the receiver.

Adults in good health who are taking the proper drugs to avoid parasitic infections like heartworm or other diseases spread by vectors should donate blood. Donors shouldn’t have received blood transfusions in the past, and in some species, they shouldn’t have been pregnant before. Dog donors should be tested for DEA 1; those that are positive should only be used for recipients who also test positive.

Donors and recipients in species where chemicals are present should be typed to ensure compatibility and lower the risk of sensitization. Any cat, even for the first transfusion, should undergo a significant crossmatch prior to transfusion. The same goes for previously transfused dogs. Rather than at a certain Hct, the choice to transfuse RBCs should be determined on the patient’s clinical symptoms.