title: Autologous blood transfusion in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage: 25 cases (2007-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use and outcome following autologous blood transfusion (ABT) in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study (January 2007-July 2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  Private veterinary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five dogs that underwent ABT secondary to thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hospital transaction database was searched using the keyword "autotransfusion" from January 2007 to July 2012. Data collected included signalment, body weight, etiology of hemorrhage, source and method of collection, volumes and method of ABT administration, use of anticoagulant, reported complications, and outcome. Twenty-five dogs were included for a total of 27 ABTs. Causes of hemorrhage included vascular trauma (14/25 dogs, 56%), ruptured tumor (8/25, 32%), and coagulopathy attributed to brodifacoum toxicosis (3/25, 12%). Autologous blood was collected from the abdominal (19/25, 76%), thoracic (5/25, 20%), or abdominal and thoracic cavities (1/25, 4%). Anticoagulant was added to the ABT blood in 13 of 25 (52%) cases. A median ABT volume of 29.3 mL/kg (range 2.9-406.9 mL/kg) was infused through either a 210 μm blood administration filter (21/27, 78%) or an 18 μm hemonate filter (6/27, 22%). Reported complications that may have been associated with ABT included hypocalcemia (4/17, 24%), hemolyzed serum (5/19, 26%), and prolonged coagulation times (4/5, 80%). These complications were considered of minimal clinical significance. Additional blood products were administered in 17 of 25 (68%) dogs. Seventeen (68%) dogs survived to discharge. Cause of death in the remaining cases was euthanasia or cardiac arrest secondary to uncontrollable hemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ABT is an adjunct to volume replacement in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage secondary to vascular trauma, ruptured tumor, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. ABT may be used as bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, particularly when other blood products are not available or affordable. Complications may include hypocalcemia, prolonged coagulation times, and hemolysis.
authors.affiliation: Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists, Glendale, WI.
authors.forename: Veronica A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Higgs
authors.affiliation: Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists, Glendale, WI.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rudloff
authors.affiliation: Critical Care for Animals, Glendale, WI.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists, Glendale, WI.
authors.forename: Andrew K J
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Linklater
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: autotransfusion; canine; hemoabdomen; hemothorax