Packed red blood cell transfusions in dogs: 131 cases (1989)
Kerl, M.E.; Hohenhaus, A.E.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 202(9): 1495-1499
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 8496108 Document Number: 413504
Records were examined of 131 dogs that received 163 packed RBC transfusions in 1989. 70% had anaemia from blood loss, 22% from haemolysis, and 8% from bone marrow hypoplasia. 47% (62 dogs) survived hospitalisation 37% (49 dogs) required anaesthesia for a surgical procedure. 13% (17 dogs) had acute or delayed transfusion reactions, but all of these dogs survived hospitalization. There was no age, breed, or sex predilection. Criteria used to determine transfusion need included anaemia (measured by packed cell volume); history of acute blood loss; need for anaesthesia; and evidence of weakness, tachypnoea, or tachycardia. 24% (32 dogs) scored <5 in the transfusion-need assessment scale. It is suggested these dogs had falsely low scores because of rapid blood loss from surgery or trauma without reflection in the PCV.