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| + | #REDIRECT[[:Category:Transfusion Medicine]] |
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| − | ==Introduction==
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| − | Blood products are extremely useful and can be administered to animals suffering from a variety of diseases, including anaemia following haemolysis or [[Haemorrhage - Pathology|haemorrhage]], sepsis, coagulopathies, specific factor deficiencies and [[Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation|disseminated intravascular coagulation]].
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| − | The decision to give a patient a blood transfusion depends on a number of factors, including the patients Packed Cell Volume, any patient with a PCV lower than 20% should be considered for a transfusion. Additionally the onset of the anaemia whether it is acute or chronic is important and also on the clinical picture portrayed by the animal. Signs including tachycardia, bounding peripheral pulses, tachypnoea, collapse, weakness and lethargy all suggest that a blood transfusion may be necessary.
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| − | [[Add in here link to blood collection|Add in here link to blood collection]]
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| − | ==Blood groups==
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| − | The number of blood groups varies between the domestic species and are determined by the presence of antigenic components on the surface of the red blood cells. Cattle have the most complex blood systems while cats are quite simple.
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| − | Normally an animal will not have antibodies against antigens present on the surfaceof its own red blood cells or against blood group antigens of that species unless they have been produced following pregnancy, a previous transfusion or a vaccine reaction.
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| − | In order to achieve a safe blood transfusion blood typing and sometimes crossmatching of the donor and recipient patient is required. Transfusion of the incorrect blood type can lead to haemolytic transfusion reactions which can be fatal.
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| − | [[add in here link to canine and feline blood types| ]]
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