Frequently Asked Questions
Information for Veterinarians
- What is the preferred blood component for __________?
- What is the difference between Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma?
- What are the clinically significant canine blood types?
- What are the artifacts floating in the blood bag?
What is the preferred blood component for _____?
| Condition or Indication | Product of First Choice |
Product of Second Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Anemia | Packed Red Cells (RBC’s) | Whole Blood |
| Anti Vitamin K Intoxication | Frozen Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Blood Loss | Packed Red Cells (RBC’s) | Fresh Whole Blood |
| DIC |
Cryoprecipitate | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Disfibrinogenemia Hypofibrinogenemia | Cryoprecipitate | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Factor VII deficiency |
Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Factor X deficiency |
Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Hemophila B |
Frozen Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Hemophilia A |
Cryoprecipitate | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Hemophilia C |
Frozen Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Hemorrhage, Massive |
Fresh Whole Blood | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Hypoproteinemia (Renal Disease, Malnutrition, Liver Disease) |
Intravenous colloid | Plasma |
| Parvovirus Infection |
Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Prothrombin Deficiency |
Cryoprecipitate | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Sepsis | Cryosupernatant Plasma | Plasma |
| Von Willebrand's Disease |
Cryoprecipitate | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
| Warfarin Poisoning |
Plasma | Fresh Frozen Plasma |
What is the difference between Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma?
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) contains all blood clotting factors including the heat labile Factors V and VIII. Fresh Frozen Plasma is used to treat a suspected or known deficiency or malfunction in clotting Factors V and VIII. It is also used to replace all clotting factors if a patient has had a massive bleed where its total blood volume has been replaced in less than 24 hours. Fresh Frozen Plasma is also used to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Plasma contains all blood clotting factors with reduced amount of the heat labile Factors V and VIII.
Both Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma can be used to treat conditions such as parvovirus infection, coumarin/warfarin toxicosis, albumin replacement and passive immunity to orphaned neonates.
What are the clinically significant canine blood types?
| DEA Group | Presence of Naturally Occurring Antibodies? | Transfusion Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | No | Clinically significant antibody – may cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. |
| 1.2 | No | Clinically significant antibody – may cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. |
| 3 | Yes | Possible delayed reaction. No hemolysis of red blood cells. |
| 4 | No | None |
| 5 | Yes | Possible delayed reaction. No hemolysis of red blood cells. |
| 7 | Yes | Possible delayed reaction. No hemolysis of red blood cells. |
What are the artifacts floating in the blood bag?
In is perfectly normal for some artifacts to develop during the storage of blood components. Please refer to the chart below to help you determine if the artifacts you are observing are normal or are possible contaminations.
| WHOLE BLOOD & PACKED RED CELLS (RBC’S) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer of white or off-white material floating on top White blood cells and platelet aggregates Use a blood filter when transfusing | ||
| FRESH FROZEN PLASMA (FFP) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Artifact | What is it ? | What to do |
| Whitish stringy material | Precipitated coagulation Factor VIII and fibrinogens | Caused by thawing the unit in the fridge rather than in a 37° C water bath. Will be removed by blood filter. |
| PLASMA AND FRESH FROZEN PLASMA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Artifact | What is it ? | What to do |
| Milky white in color when thawed | Fat | Safe to transfuse. |
| Regular, entire white bodies |
Possible bacteria colonies | DO NOT USE THIS UNIT. Discard into a biohazard waste container. |