Objectives To describe a population of dogs receiving canine plasma products (PP), report the incidence of transfusion reactions (TR), and to identify whether this is higher when non–type‐matched plasma is administered. Design Retrospective study conducted on dogs receiving canine PP between March 2016 and January 2018. Setting Private referral hospital with first opinion emergency clinic. Animals One hundred and ninety‐four privately owned dogs identified from the clinic electronic medical record system that received at least 1 unit of canine PP during the study period; 25 patients were excluded due to incomplete records. Interventions None. Measurements and main results A search of computerized records was performed, identifying any patients that received canine PP between 2016 and 2018; clinical notes were examined to identify the number and type of TR associated. One hundred and sixty‐nine cases were included in the study, receiving a total of 412 PP transfusions. Reactions were noted in 4% (17/412) of transfusions administered, with the vast majority being mild in nature. Of the TR identified, a greater proportion were in type‐matched PP transfusions than non–type‐matched, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.7989). The number of dogs suffering a TR was higher (13%) when multiple units of plasma were administered than if only 1 unit was transfused (5%), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.1161). Transfusion reactions were more likely to occur when packed red blood cells were also administered, although this was also not statistically significant (P = 0.07). Conclusion Administration of canine plasma products appears to be a safe procedure that carries a low risk of transfusion reactions. Type‐matching of canine PP appears unnecessary and does not reduce incidence of TR in dogs.

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Objectives To investigate the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin encoding gene and C. perfringens enterotoxin encoding gene in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome. Materials and Methods Retrospective study looking at the prevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin and C. perfringens enterotoxin in the faeces of three groups of dogs – those with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (n = 16), those with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause (n = 17) and those without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (n = 10). Correlation between the presence of C. perfringens alpha toxin and/or C. perfringens enterotoxin and Acute Patient Physiological and Laboratory Evaluationfast scores, acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea index scores and length of hospitalisation in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome was assessed. Results Prevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin was not higher in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (43.75%) than dogs with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause (58.82%) (difference in prevalence 15.07%; 95% CI −37% to 32%) or in dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (60%) (difference in prevalence 16.25%; 95% CI −4% to 36%). Dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome did not have a significantly higher prevalence of C. perfringens enterotoxin (18.75%) compared to dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (11.76%) (difference in prevalence 6.99%; 95% CI −18% to 32%). Prevalence of C. perfringens enterotoxin was similar in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome and dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (20%) (difference in prevalence 1.25% 95% CI −33% to 30%). The presence of C. perfringens alpha toxin did not correlate with increased Acute Patient Physiological and Laboratory Evaluationfast scores, acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea index scores or length of hospitalisation in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome. Clinical Significance This study does not demonstrate increased prevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin or C. perfringens enterotoxin in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome compared to dogs with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause or dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea.

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Triage is a concept that dates back to the Napoleonic Wars. It is the process by which the stability of patients is determined, allowing those that are the most unstable to receive an examination, the implementation of essential treatment and further investigations as soon as possible. Well‐executed triage should allow the rapid ‘processing’ and initial assessment of multiple casualties to maximise the efficiency of the emergency team. This article discusses the aims of the triage process, the preparation required when waiting for the arrival of an emergency patient, and how to undertake primary and secondary surveys of the sick animal.