Blood Transfusion in Bovines

May 1, 2020 Dr. Rahul Animal Diseases, Animal Husbandry, Technical Articles
4.6
(309)

Blood transfusion is one of the emergency care for the saving of life of animal in case of severe medical emergency conditions. It was first done by Richard Lower in 1665 in dog. Now for the conditions like severe anaemia by various etiological factors, hypovolumic  shock and automobile accidents making more need of blood transfusion in animals. The main objective of blood transfusion is to improve the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and improvement of nutrients transport in the body.Day by day animals getting more importance due to high production  in terms of milk,calf production especially in indigenous breeds like Deoni,Khillar and drought work from bullocks creating  owner awareness and expectations making new horizon in blood transfusion in bovines.In bovines total 11 blood groups are present namely A,B,C,F,J,L,M,R,S,T and Z.Out of these B and J are clinically important for transfusition.

Indications of blood transfusion in Bovines

  1. In hemo-protozoal infections like Babesiosis, Thileriosis, Anaplasmosis etc.
  2. In Bacterial infections like Leptospirosis, Bacillary Haemoglobinuria etc.
  3. In recent surgical interventions like C-section, Dehorning etc
  4. In hepatic pathology like jaundice, abscess etc.
  5. In severe external parasitic infestation like lice, tick, flea etc.
  6. In severe internal parasitic infestations like Haemanchosis infestation, Oesophagostomiasis infestation etc
  7. In production diseases like Post parturient hemoglobinuria, nutritional deficiency anaemia caused by deficiency of iron, copper, folic acid and Vitamin B12 etc

In above all conditions there will be fall in RBC level in circulation from normal 5-8 Million/mm3 to below 3 Million/mm3 and Hb from normal 9-12 g/dl to below 4 g/dl.Fresh whole blood advised in cattle and 2-3ml/kg BW raises the PCV by 1%.

Pale Mucus Membrane

Selection of donors

  1. It should not be too young or too old; ideally age should be between 2 years to 8 years.
  2. It should be free from all type of infectious diseases should not be debilitated or undernourished.
  3. It should be apparently healthy.
  4. It should not have history of undergoing of major surgery, liver pathology recently.
  5. It should not have internal or external parasitic infestation.
  6. It should be having total RBC count above 5 million/mm3 and Hb above 6 g/dl.
  7. It should be of same breed as of recipient.
  8. For calf as recipient dam will be ideal donor likewise animals in the same herd with half sibs or full sibs will be ideal donors.
  9. Bovines can donate 8-14ml of blood per kg body weight.
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Methods of blood transfusion

  1. Direct method: Here blood transfusion appartus connected to both donar and receipent. So from dinar directly blood will transfused to receipent.The main disadvantage of this method is the quantity of blood transfused will not be measured.
  2. Indirect method: Here blood from donar will be collected in the blood collection bag with anticoagulant in it.Then the measured quantity of blood will be transfused to receipent.

Matching for blood compatibility from donor  to recipient, As follows

  1. Major matching: Here recipient plasma/serum mixed with donors RBC mix on a slide and observe under microscope…Clumping/haemolysis indicates incompatibility not go for transfusion…No clumping indicates you can go for transfusion.
  2. Minor matching: Here donor plasma/serum mixed with recipients RBC mix on a slide and observe under microscope.. Clumping/haemolysis indicates incompatibility not go for transfusion…No clumping indicates you can go for transfusion.

Instruments needed for blood transfusion under field conditions
Empty blood bag, transfusion drip set, blood collection vials plain and with EDTA for blood examination. In case of blood bag unavailability new, non-used, sterile empty urine bags, sterile empty glass bottles of capacity of 500ml and above can be used, and add 100ml of sodium citrate(3.8%) for every 350ml of blood and sodium citrate(3.8%) solution should be prepared early as per the need, sterile swabs,gloves,Thermometer.

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Blood transfusion procedure

  1. Calculate the amount of blood needed for the recipient as per body weight and anaemic conditions, the total blood volume estimated in cattle is 10-20 ml/kg BW.So if the body weight of recipient is 30 kgs means blood to be given is 300-600 ml as per severity of the recipient.
  2. Prepare anticoagulant solution n blood collection bag/bottles.
  3. Check donor for health status and check compatibilities
  4. After confirming the compatibility, collect blood from donor from jugular vein under aseptic condition and after collection mix thoroughly with anti-coagulant in the collection bag/bottle. Collected blood should be transfused within 2 hours.It should not delayed; delaying causes haemolysis of RBC will not serve the purpose.
  5. After collection of blood immediately it should be transfused to recipients slowly drop by drop through the transfusion drip set with aseptic techniques, rapid administration should be avoided and recipients should be monitored carefully.
  6. Generally blood should be given intravenously at the rate not exceeding 10ml/kg/hour.
  7. Calculated dose of anti-histaminic and steroids injected to recipients to avoid the unusual reactions.Adrenaline, steroids and anti-histaminic should be kept ready for emergency condition.
  8. After transfusion watch the animal for hyper sensitivity, allergic reaction, delayed hypersensitivity and pyrexia.
Empty Blood Bag 350 ml
Collection of Blood from the Donar

Advantages of blood transfusion

  1. Its important tool in case of emergency conditions like hypovolumic shock mediated by trauma or blood loss due to accidents.
  2. For successful therapy of diseases like Thileriosis, Babesiosis etc
  3. For supporting of healing in case of major surgical procedures as a post operative care measure.
  4. As a supportive treatment in heavy internal and/or external parasitic infestation.
Giving Donar Blood to Calf

Adverse reactions observed in bovines after transfusion

  1. Immediatly during transfusion there may be sudden shivering, allergy and histamine mediated hypersensitivity observed rarely.
  2. Shivering, dyspnoea, sweating may be observed.
  3. Immune mediated hematuria.
  4. Hypocalcimia due to citrate toxicity.
  5. Transfer of sub clinical infections like Thileriosis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis etc.
  6. Delayed hypersensitivity reaction.
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Disadvantages of blood transfusion

  1. Chance of hypersensitivity.
  2. Chances of transmission of diseases especially subclinical haemoprotozoan diseases.
  3. Urticaria, pyrexia occasionally.
  4. Predisposes for auto immune complications.
  5. Mismatch/cross reaction leads to collapse and death of animal.

References

  1. Text book of Clinical Veterinary Medicine. By ICAR Publication  2009
  2. Essentials of Veterinary Surgery by Venugopala  8 th Edition.

The content of the articles are accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

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287 Comments

  14. Humanity still exists awesome brother keep it up may god bless you you are doing very good for animals awesome very nice article

  24. Very good and informative article Dr power, good job I think this technique is very useful in field conditions 👍👍👍👍

  38. Indeed an spectacular article by Dr.Rahul.Pawar
    It’s very informative….a good one indeed

  75. It’s a superb article Mr. Dr Rahul and you did exllent job for the Animals.
    The blood transfusion is a very useful in an emergency condition and your article is very useful for the animals and you are spreading a very nice information to the all doctors and peoples.
    Well done! Keep it up 👍

  82. Nice article almost cent percent aspects have been covered regarding blood transfusion
    👍

  86. Good article sir, these information may help many doctors to treat the animals with hematology disorders

  89. Super nice article and it’s a helpful to us
    Good my dear Dr.Rahul pawar

  93. Very informative article.
    In haemoprotozoan diseases at field level we can first go for Iron dextron inj. And other blood enrichers.
    Atlast transfusion can be carried.

  128. Super information sir,it may helpful to many Veterinary Doctors to treat the Diseases. Thanks sir😘😘

  136. Finest article…. concept explained in relevant manner…..good job

  155. ಸೂಪರ್ ಸರ್ ಅರ್ಥ ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಮಾಹಿತಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದಕೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು ಸರ್. 👌👌🙏🙏

  163. This is really a noble work, better than worshipping god,I wish doctor bright future

  165. A very good initiative in a rural area as such and quiet an informative article

  166. Great initiative to field of veterinary large ruminants.. much needed article… Proud to be vet

  183. The application of Blood transfusion techniques to large animals will be a boon to many veterinarians and the information provided by Dr Rahul sir in this article, will no doubt provide a lot of confidence to the field veterinarians.

    Thank you so much sir for providing a brief insight towards this technique. Hope to see more articles in the future.

  185. Very concise and very informative as well…
    Congratulations Dr Rahul pawar for this great work

  220. Very informative and it will play a crucial role in treating animals in near future

  238. It’s knowledgable and helpful 4 many people, in saving lives of these dear ones.ur work on it is exceptional appreciable.

  246. Best Article I ever read,with brief knowledge and covered complete and very easy to read and understand about Blood Transfusion

  256. From this article I got brief knowledge about blood transfusion sir , thank you sir

  270. It’s a good article
    I have doubt in using of sodium citrate 3.8% solution at the rate of 1ml/10ml of blood. It’s not 100ml per 350ml blood?
    And
    It’s not advised to use antihistamines and corticosteroid in every case before transfusion. Many case doesn’t show any symptoms of hypersensitivity.
    Thank you

  282. Good Article Rahul, this information may help many doctors to treat the animals related with hematological disorders or disease…

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