Canine red blood cell transfusion practice

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in 307 dogs were reviewed. A total of 658 units of RBCs, including 474 (72%) units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and 184 (28%) units of whole blood (WB), were administered. Reasons for transfusion included hemorrhage (n = 222), hemolysis (n = 43), and ineffective erythropoiesis (n = 42). The mean pretransfusion packed cell volume (PCV) of dogs with hemolysis (13%) was significantly lower (p less than 0.0001) than the mean pretransfusion PCVs of dogs with hemorrhage (21%) or ineffective erythropoiesis (18%). The mean total volume of PRBCs transfused was significantly greater (p less than 0.03) in dogs with hemolysis. Overall, 187 (61%) of 307 dogs were discharged from the hospital. Cause of anemia, pretransfusion PCV, and total volume of blood administered did not appear to influence survival. However, the mean adjusted posttransfusion PCV of dogs with hemorrhage was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in dogs that survived. Possible adverse events were observed during or shortly after RBC transfusion in 10 (3.3%) dogs; all reactions were mild and self-limiting, and none were hemolytic.