Blood Transfusions
Cats, dogs, and even ferrets can be given successful transfusions. Blood transfusions are needed on an emergency basis for a variety of problems including but not limited to: 
Blood product information
Rat Poison Ingestion- Creates massive internal bleeding
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Traumatic Blood Loss- Severe blood loss from injury, laceration of major blood vessels, or internal damage such as rupture of the spleen or liver.
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Auto Immune Diseases- Cause the immune system to attack its own red blood cells or platelets. This leads to complete destruction of the red blood cells, or in the case of platelet damage the animal is unable to clot the blood and suffers from internal hemorrhages.
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 Spleen Tumors- Spontaneous internal bleeding can occur from a tumor or tumors on the spleen. These tumors can be as small as a grape, or as large as a basketball. They are often undiagnosed until sudden internal bleeding causes weakness and shortness of breath. These patients often require a blood transfusion and immediate surgery.
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DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) - Abnormal blood clotting starts to occur in the small vessels of the body (causing micro clots to form in capillaries and tiny veins), while lack of proper clotting ability in the larger blood vessels causes blood leakage or hemorrhage into larger cavities- such as the chest and abdomen. This is a serious condition which can follow heat stroke, severe infection, medication reaction, poisoning, or conditions such as kidney or liver disease or failure. Blood transfusion or use of frozen plasma may help if DIC is recognized early.
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 Blood Typing
Cats - Cats have type A or Type B blood. Occasionally a cat will have Type AB blood. Type B is much more rare than Type A.
- Cats with Type B blood can accept Type A blood. Cats with Type A blood generally should not be transfused with Type B or Type AB blood as adverse reactions can occur.- All cats are blood typed prior to transfusion. Our donors are all Type A, and so are considered universal donors.
- The first transfusion can usually be given safely using Type A blood, even if Typing is not available.
 Dogs - Dogs have multiple blood types. These blood types are categorized using the DEA (DogErythrocyte Antigen) System. Common antigens include: DEA 1.1, DEA 2, DEA 3, DEA 4, DEA 5,DEA 6, DEA 7, and DEA 8.
- DEA 1.1 is the only antigen known to cause serious reactions when present in donor blood and not present (negative) in recipient blood.
- DEA 1.1 negative dogs can usually receive one transfusion with DEA 1.1 positive blood safely. The serious risk occurs if a second transfusion is attempted using DEA1.1 positive blood. The first transfusion will cause antibodies against DEA 1.1 to form in the recipient, which can lead to serious transfusion reactions and blood ‘clumping’if a second transfusion with DEA 1.1 positive blood is attempted.
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Blood Products
 Whole Blood - is available from our in-house and volunteer based donor animals. DEA 1.1negative donors for dogs and both Type A and Type B donor for cats. All donor dogs are heartworm negative and on heartworm preventative. All feline donors are indoor cats and are negative for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. All donor animals are update on all vaccinations.
Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) - are usually available for dogs. The shelf life is relatively short so, our supply is rotated on an as use or as needed basis. PRBC transfusions are useful in cases caused by: severe trauma with blood loss, internal bleeding or immune mediated diseases in which the red blood cells are being destroyed.
 Frozen Plasma- contains important factors for blood clotting, protein and platelates. Plasma is beneficial to animals with clotting disorders, protein loss (for example: loss through intestinal infection) and severe cases of tick-borne diseases (for example: Lyme Disease). Dogs with Parvo virusor leptospirosis may also benefit from plasma transfusion.
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 Artificial Blood - Oxyglobin is a brand of artificial blood which can be given to cats or dogs when fresh blood is not readily available. This product has inherent risks and is used judiciously when needed
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Our Donors
 Patty Cat - came to us as a skinny little thing with a nutrition problem. She has been nursed back to health and has vowed never to be skinny again.
 Scar - is a Type B cat and lives locally with his adopted family. He was living in our hospital with his brother Pooh, until we found a local, loving home together. Pooh is too shy and is afraid of strangers to be a good donor. Scar is a chubby, friendly guy and has plenty of blood to spare.
 Kenai - is an Alaskan Malamute and has been donating blood since she was two years old. In spite of her size and wolf-like appearance, she is very friendly and is a very cooperative donor.
 Norton - is an Alaskan Husky born in Alaska in a small village called Shaktoolik. Norton’s parents were trained sled dogs and his relatives have run in the Iditarod.
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