Blood Products
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Types of Blood products available
Whole fresh blood is commonly used in general practice and administered straight away to the patient. Additionally whole bood can be stored or separated into various blood components for example, Packed red blood cells, plasma and platelet rich concentrates. Blood components are very useful as they reduce the number of transfusions necessary and also replace specific losses.
Fresh Whole Blood (FWB)can be collected from a healthy donor and combined with anticoagulant which can then be used for up to 8 hours. Whole blood contains all blood components which are Red blood cells, Platelets, White blood cells, Coagulation factors and plasma proteins. This is indicated for for dogs and cats suffering from anaemia, thrombocytopaenia or a coagulopathy with active bleeding.