Evaluation of the collection and storage of packed red blood cells in ferrets

Blood transfusion is lifesaving in anaemic ferrets, but species-specific blood-banking systems are lacking, and optimal storage conditions for packed red blood cells (pRBCs) have not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the bacteriological, biochemical and haematological stability of pRBC stored in citrate‒phosphate‒dextrose‒adenine (CPDA) at 4°C over 28 days.

Blood samples (15 mL) were collected monthly from four healthy adult male ferrets over six months, yielding 24 samples. pRBCs were isolated by centrifugation and stored at 4°C in CPDA-containing vacuum tubes. Weekly assessments included bacteriological cultures, pH, glucose, lactate, electrolytes, complete blood counts and erythrocyte morphology. Equivalence testing was used to assess changes over time.

Most bacterial cultures yielded no growth. Serratia marcescens and Microbacterium spp. were considered to be post-collection contaminants. pRBC stored at 4°C showed progressive deterioration, with decreases in glucose concentration and pH, increases in lactate and potassium concentrations, increased mean corpuscular volume, decreased mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and marked echinocytosis by day 28. Plasma stored at -18°C remained stable.

The small sample size, use of vacuum tubes and dilution for biochemical analysis may limit generalisability.

Biochemical, haematological and morphological indices supported the storage of ferret pRBC in CPDA for up to 21 days at 4°C. Further studies assessing haemolysis, in vivo erythrocyte survival, transfusion efficacy and contamination risk are needed before clinical blood-banking recommendations can be made.