Changes

Blood transfusions are vital for patients in a critical condition to maintain tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Whole blood transfusions are commonly carried out in general practice in emergency situations, and [[Blood Products|blood products]] are also becoming more widely available.  

Blood transfusions are vital for patients in a critical condition to maintain tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Whole blood transfusions are commonly carried out in general practice in emergency situations, and [[Blood Products|blood products]] are also becoming more widely available.  

Blood products are extremely useful in replacing specific blood compononent defecits and increasing the safety of transfusion therapy. Any severe haematological emergency would be an indication for the transfusion of blood products, but the four main indications are [[:Category:Anaemia|anaemia]] following haemolysis or [[Haemorrhage - Pathology|haemorrhage]] (give RBCs), [[:Category:Coagulation Defects|coagulopathies]], [[Platelet Abnormalities|thrombocytopaenia]] (use platelets) and hypoproteinaemia (use plasma). Animals with a history of previous transfusions or transfusion reactions should be given blood products in preference to whole blood where possible.

Blood products are extremely useful in replacing specific blood compononent defecits and increasing the safety of transfusion therapy. Any severe haematological emergency would be an indication for the transfusion of blood products, but the four main indications are [[:Category:Anaemia|anaemia]] following haemolysis or [[Haemorrhage|haemorrhage]] (give RBCs), [[:Category:Coagulation Defects|coagulopathies]], [[Platelet Abnormalities|thrombocytopaenia]] (use platelets) and hypoproteinaemia (use plasma). Animals with a history of previous transfusions or transfusion reactions should be given blood products in preference to whole blood where possible.

The decision to give a patient a blood transfusion depends on a number of factors.

The decision to give a patient a blood transfusion depends on a number of factors.

*If protein levels drop below 3.5g/dl or albumin levels drop below 1.5g/dl.  

*If protein levels drop below 3.5g/dl or albumin levels drop below 1.5g/dl.  

*If signs of [[Oedema - Pathology|oedema]] (e.g ascites) are occuring due to hypoproteinaemia.

*If signs of [[Oedema|oedema]] (e.g ascites) are occuring due to hypoproteinaemia.

In order to achieve a safe blood transfusion blood typing and sometimes crossmatching of the donor and recipient animal is required.

In order to achieve a safe blood transfusion blood typing and sometimes crossmatching of the donor and recipient animal is required.

|'''[[Administering a Blood Transfusion]]<br>[[Blood Groups]]<br>[[Blood Groups - Dog|Blood Groups - Dog ]]<br>[[Blood Groups - Cat|Blood Groups - Cat ]]<br>[[Blood Products|Blood Products]]<br>'''

|'''[[Administering a Blood Transfusion]]<br>[[Blood Groups]]<br>[[Blood Groups - Dog|Blood Groups - Dog ]]<br>[[Blood Groups - Cat|Blood Groups - Cat ]]<br>[[Blood Products|Blood Products]]<br>'''

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==References==

==References==