Autologous blood transfusions stabilize traumatic bleeding in ferrets

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnosis, management, and outcome of 4 ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with traumatic or suspected traumatic hemoperitoneum managed with autologous blood transfusions (autotransfusions). ANIMALS: 4 client-owned domestic ferrets. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: All ferrets presented to the emergency service after sustaining a witnessed or suspected trauma. Hemoperitoneum was diagnosed via point-of-care ultrasound and confirmed by abdominocentesis. RESULTS: 4 domestic ferrets with a mean age of 2.75 years (range, 1 to 4 years) presented with traumatic hemoperitoneum. Two patients had abdominal ultrasonography that showed a splenic hematoma, and 1 patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy. All patients were administered autologous whole blood transfusions aseptically collected via abdominocentesis or during exploratory celiotomy. The mean volume of blood transfused was 20.75 mL (5 to 48 mL), with an average PCV of 55.5%. Autotransfusion increased the PCV from a pretransfusion mean of 23.25% (12% to 36%) to a posttransfusion mean of 36.5% (33% to 43%). No adverse reactions were noted. Three patients survived to discharge, and 1 patient deteriorated 10 hours following transfusion and suffered cardiopulmonary arrest following suspected further hemorrhage. No delayed adverse reactions to the autotransfusions were reported in any patient. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first reported case series of autotransfusion in ferrets. The use of autotransfusions represented an effective and safe option for the management and stabilization of traumatic hemoperitoneum in this species.