Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine blood transfusions used to treat anemia in cats and their
By Le Gal, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2020·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats: a review of 49 cases and their outcome.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Forty-nine cats received blood transfusions from dogs due to severe anemia caused by issues like surgery, immune problems, or cancer. After the transfusion, most cats showed improvement in their blood levels, but some experienced reactions, including fever and jaundice. Unfortunately, 20% of the cats either died or were euthanized within a day of the procedure. However, for those that survived the first week, most continued to do well for several months. Owners were aware that their cats had received this unusual treatment.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of a xenotransfusion protocol, the outcome of xenotransfusion in recipient cats and to assess owner memory of the xenotransfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cats administered xenotransfusions in two hospitals between January 2016 and July 2018 were included. Adherence to xenotransfusion protocol, cause of anaemia, blood type, packed cell volume (PCV), transfusion volume, transfusion reactions, PCV 12 hours after transfusion and survival to discharge were recorded. Owners of surviving cats were questioned to assess if they remembered that a xenotransfusion had been performed. RESULTS: Forty-nine cats underwent the xenotransfusion protocol. The most common causes of anaemia were surgical blood loss (n = 17), immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (n = 14) and neoplasia (n = 14). Median PCV before transfusion was 10%. Six cats (12%) had febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions. Median PCV 12 hours after transfusion was 25%. Ten cats (20%) died or were euthanased within 24 hours of xenotransfusion. A delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction occurred in 25 of 39 (64%) cats manifesting as icterus in 15 cats after a median of 1.9 days and haemolytic serum in 19 cats after a median of 2 days. Of the 18 cats alive at 1 week after discharge, 15 (83%) were still alive at a median of 173 days after xenotransfusion. All owners contacted remembered that their cats had received a xenotransfusion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Xenotransfusion of canine packed red blood cells to cats is possible but haemolysis should be expected between 1 and 6 days after transfusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31867733/