Packed red blood cell transfusions in dogs: 131 cases (1989)

One hundred and thirty-one dogs received 163 packed RBC transfusions in 1989, and records from these dogs were examined. Seventy percent had anemia from blood loss, 22% from hemolysis, and 8% from bone marrow hypoplasia. Forty-seven percent (62 dogs) survived hospitalization. Thirty-seven percent (49 dogs) required anesthesia for a surgical procedure. Thirteen percent (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 anemia (measured by PCV); history of acute blood loss; need for anesthesia; and evidence of weakness, tachypnea, or tachycardia. Twenty-four percent (32 dogs) scored < 5 on the transfusion-need assessment scale. These dogs may have had falsely low scores because of rapid blood loss from surgery or trauma without reflection in the PCV.