Autologous blood transfusion following red blood cell salvage for the management of blood loss in 3 dogs with hemoperitoneum.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of autologous transfusion using a red blood cell salvage device for the management of large volume hemorrhage in 3 dogs with hemoperitoneum.


METHODS
Three dogs were managed for large volume hemorrhage by autologous transfusion of red blood cells after cell salvage. In all cases, blood was salvaged from the abdominal cavity during surgery. The causes of hemorrhage included testicular arterial hemorrhage after castration, hepatic parenchymal hemorrhage following hepatic dissection for intrahepatic portosystemic shunt ligation, and intra-abdominal serosal hemorrhage associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection. In all cases, autologous transfusion was not associated with any identified complications and contributed to improved cardiovascular stability and packed cell volume.


CONCLUSIONS
This case series is the first to describe the use of a semiautomated red blood cell salvage system for the clinical management of acute hemorrhage in dogs. This case series provides evidence that this procedure can be used safely and effectively for the management of clinical hemorrhage. On this basis, further veterinary evaluation can be justified.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
Caroline
C
Hirst
Sophie
S
Adamantos
D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D057725:Operative Blood Salvage / Q000662:veterinary*