Indications for use and complications associated with canine plasma products in 170 patients

Abstract

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.

Prognostic factors associated with survival and hospitalization time in pediatric canine patients diagnosed with presumptive acute viral gastroenteritis

“…Although reactions such as fever, pruritus, and anxiety have been described in a small percentage of transfused patients [20,22], no side effects were reported in this study, which suggests that this therapeutic approach is safe and well tolerated in critically ill patients diagnosed with presumptive infectious gastroenteritis. This finding is in line with a recent publication [22]. Our study makes clear the non-therapeutic effect of this FFP dosage and advocates for further studies to clarify the present results.…”

“…Alternative products with higher albumin concentrations, such as cryoprecipitate-poor plasma, concentrated human, or canine albumin products, may be less expensive and more effective [21,23]. Although reactions such as fever, pruritus, and anxiety have been described in a small percentage of transfused patients [20,22], no side effects were reported in this study, which suggests that this therapeutic approach is safe and well tolerated in critically ill patients diagnosed with presumptive infectious gastroenteritis. This finding is in line with a recent publication [22].…”

“…In fact, to increase serum albumin concentration by 0.5 g/dL, it is required at least 25 mL/kg of FFP [21]. The financial costs associated with this therapy limit the use of higher doses of FFP [20,22]. Alternative products with higher albumin concentrations, such as cryoprecipitate-poor plasma, concentrated human, or canine albumin products, may be less expensive and more effective [21,23].…”

Hemostatic Activity of Canine Never-Frozen Liquid Plasma Collected for Transfusion

“…The plasma contains therapeutic levels of functional coagulation factors and can be immediately transfused as fresh plasma or stored frozen ( 1 – 7 ). Plasma transfusion is an essential component of treatment for many congenital and acquired coagulopathies in dogs, such as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, hemophilia A (deficiency of factor VIII), hemophilia B (deficiency of factor IX), von Willebrand's disease, hepatic disease, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity ( 8 – 10 ). Plasma in veterinary patients has also been used in the treatment of hypotension and to provide oncotic support in hypoalbuminemic patients during hospitalization ( 8 , 9 ).…”

Effect of Leukoreduction by Pre-Storage Filtration on Coagulation Activity of Canine Plasma Collected for Transfusion

“…Transfusion medicine has grown in recent decades and many canine patients today receive blood or blood components. Plasma components, such as fresh frozen plasma (FFP), are used mainly to treat coagulopathies [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The plasma contains therapeutic levels of functional coagulation factors, transfusion of which is an essential component of treatment for many congenital and acquired coagulopathies [ 4 , 5 ].…”