ANSWERS

1. What are the 2 main indications for a blood transfusion?
   • Provision of oxygen transport (following acute haemorrhage, acute haemolysis or chronic anaemia).
   • Provision of clotting factors (following acute Warfarin poisoning).
2. How much blood may safely be obtained from a donor cat or dog?
   10-20mls/kg can be collected from a dog, while a total of 40mls can be collected from a cat.
3. What anticoagulants are used for transfusion blood?
   • Acid citrate dextrose (blood can be stored at 4° C for up to 3 weeks).
   • Citrate phosphate dextrose (blood can be stored at 4° C for up to 4 weeks).
4. How is plasma stored?
   Frozen at -70° C. It may be stored at this temperature for up to 6 months.
5. Dogs of the blood group DEA 1.1 -ve and DEA 1.2 -ve are very useful; why?
   They are universal donors.
6. How does a blood administration set differ to a normal fluid infusion set?
   It incorporates a nylon net filter to remove any aggregated red blood cells or other coagulation debris.
7. What are the signs of a transfusion reaction?
   • Facial oedema.
   • Vomiting.
   • Tachypnoea.
   • Tachycardia.
   • Salivation.
   • Pyrexia.
   • Tremors.
   • Haematuria.
   • Uticaria.
   • Pruritis.
   • Haemolytic anaemia.
   • Convulsions.
   • Coma.
   A practical task: the blood transfusion accompanies this module