Chapter 6 Blood and Blood Substitutes
BLOOD
Features and General Information
▪ More appropriate to use packed red cells in patients with anemia and normal total protein and blood volume to avoid circulatory overload from colloids in whole blood
▪ Decision to transfuse in surgery depends on hematocrit, rate of loss, and other factors; generally, transfuse if:
▪ Blood administration set is used for transfusion; contains a filter not found in regular IV administration sets
▪ To flush a blood line, use only 0.9% NaCl; coagulation is activated by any solution that contains calcium (e.g., lactated Ringer’s solution [LRS], Plasmalyte)
▪ Warm the blood to 37° C before transfusion; higher temperature causes loss of protein and hemolysis
▪ Cross-match is ideal (see discussion later in this chapter) for dogs that have previously undergone transfusion or have had puppies
Cross-Matching
▪ Tests recipient’s plasma with donor’s washed cells (major cross-match) or donor’s plasma with recipient’s washed cells (minor cross-match)
▪ Cats should always be typed, even for plasma transfusions, because of naturally occurring alloantibodies
▪ Dogs should be cross-matched if they have previously undergone transfusion or had litters; cross-matching not necessary otherwise
