Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

VOLUME OF TRANSFUSION 

• Volume of blood component to be administered depends on the degree of anemia and the size of the animal.
• Volume (ml) of whole blood = 2 x PCV rise desired (%) x body weight (kg), or in other words, Administration of 2 ml whole blood/kg body weight raises the PCV by 1%.
• PCV rise desired is the aim for PCV after transfusion minus the recipient's actual PCV; this formula assumes that the PCV of the blood bag is >40%. Monitor response to transfusion by obtaining PCV/TP readings prior to, immediately, and 6 and 24 hours posttransfusion, and consider continued blood loss and/or hemolysis.
• In thrombocytopenia or thrombopathia, one unit of PC, PRP or FWB will increase the platelet count by 10,000/µL in a recipient weighing 30 kg. In animals with serious or life-threatening bleeding, the platelet count should be increased to above 40,000/µL. Platelet counts are monitored prior, 1 hour, and 24 hours after platelet transfusion.
• In coagulopathies and von Willebrand's disease, FFP at 6-10 ml/kg is an initial dose to stop bleeding or avoid excessive bleeding during surgery. In some cases, larger volumes and repeated administration of FFP may be needed to control bleeding. Cryoprecipitate at a dose of 1 CRYO unit/10 kg or 2-4 ml/kg body weight twice daily is ideal to treat hemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease. Plasma support should be provided for an additional 1-3 days after the bleeding has been controlled to allow for healing and prevent rebleeding.