Introduction

Why use component therapy instead of whole blood?

It makes sense to utilize the valuable resource of donated blood as efficiently as possible. It is also good medicine to minimize treatment risks whenever possible.

Toward these ends, the VABS separates blood into component products. This allows the storage of plasma far beyond the shelf-life of red blood cells (RBCs). It also decreases the risk of transfusion reactions by giving plasma instead of whole blood when plasma only is needed, as the RBC is the most antigenic portion of blood. Similarly, the risk of volume overload is lower if Packed RBCs are used rather than Whole Blood when treating an anemia unaccompanied by hypoproteinemia or hypovolemia.

VABS Donors

Blood and components have been collected from pet canine donors who have been volunteered by their owners. The donors have received vaccinations for at least their first 3 years of life, and are current on immunization for Canine Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, and Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Canine Parvo Virus and Rabies based on their family veterinarian’s recommendations.

VABS donors undergo extensive screening through Central Laboratory for Veterinarians, including CBC/chemistry, U/A and fecal ova/parasite. They have been tested for von Willebrand Factor (vWF), canine Brucella, Lyme disease, EhrIichia canis, Babesia canis and gibsonii, and Dirofilaria immitis. They have been fully typed for DEA 1.1, 3, 4, 5,
(+/- 7). Donors classified as “Universal” are negative for all antigens except DEA 4. The donor’s blood type is indicated on the PRBC label.

VABS Blood Products Overview

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) (~ 120 per unit)
The PRBCs have been separated from the plasma portion of the blood. This allows delivery of red blood cells with reduced risk of volume overload. PRBCs may be stored at refrigerator temperature for up to 42 days. The expiry date will be noted on the unit. This product is more likely to induce hypersensitivity reactions than plasma products, so VABS strongly recommends blood typing and cross-matching recipients before transfusion. (In-house cross-matching instructions are available upon request.)

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) (~ 120 ml per unit)
FFP is plasma that has been separated and frozen within 6 hours of collection. FFP contains labile and stable clotting factors, albumin, alpha-macroglobulins, antithrombin III, electrolytes, and other plasma nutrients. It can be stored up to 1 year in a standard freezer. After 1 year, it can be stored for an additional 4 years, but it is considered frozen instead of fresh-frozen and is not recommended if labile clotting factors are needed. Common indications for FFP include: coagulopathies due to Vitamin K toxicosis, vWD, pancreatitis, DIC, hypoalbuminemia.
Platelets are not viable in refrigerated or frozen blood products.

Fresh Whole Blood (~200 ml / ~ 400 ml per unit). Sometimes a dog just needs it all – red cells, fresh plasma, and platelets. Freshly collected blood (less than 6 hours since collection) is a “special needs” product. Call VABS when you need it. We will make every effort to obtain a donor.

WARNING:
As described above, VABS takes every precaution to ensure all donors are carefully screened and that each blood product is processed and handled with the utmost care. Despite these measures, such hazards as bacterial contamination of a product could occur. The effect of such products on the recipient could be life-threatening.

The recipient’s circumstances (e.g., immune status and presence of undetected antibodies to untested factors of the donor) could cause the recipient to undergo a mild to serious transfusion reaction. While we recommend crossmatching prior to transfusion of red cells, a "match" does not completely remove the risk of an immune response and the destruction of red cells. Plasma MAY contain red cells and platelets.

Veterinarians who have ordered products are ultimately responsible for the wise handling and use of the products. Clinical vigilance is the best assurance your patients will be safe.

Product insert(s) are not intended to be a written guarantee of the safety of blood and blood components.

Ordering

Requests for blood products and supplies can be made at any time; call 604-734-5104 for information on cost and availability.  Our staff is available to help you with questions about usage and administration of blood products. 

The price of blood products does not include shipping or taxes.

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC)

The recipient’s blood type will be required and type-appropriate PRBC will be supplied, in order to preserve our limited supply of  Universal donors.  VAEC can perform a DEA 1.1 card test in-house and send the type-appropriate PRBC
to you.

• Submit approximately 2cc blood in LTT
• Typing can be completed quickly for emergency situations.  We suggest sending th recipient's blood with the driver who will deliver appropriate blood on the return trip.
• In the ideal situation, if transfusion products are needed for elective procedures, the recipient should be typed at your veterinary laboratory.
• Small aliquots in the “pigtail” portion of the PRBC bag are available to you for testing (PCV and cross matching, for example).  You can be assured you will always receive at least 2 pigtails with your order of a bag of PRBC. We may not always be able to submit a “pre-purchase” sample to your veterinary laboratory for cross matching on your behalf, as there is a limited number of “pigtails” per bag of PRBCs.

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)

Please let our staff know if the plasma is going to be used immediately so that we can package it appropriately.

Shipping

Our staff will package products in the correct manner for transport to your facility. You are responsible for choosing and arranging the method of transportation (e.g. courier*, taxi, staff member, owner of recipient).

* We have had good experience with Novex Clean for same day courier service.

Vancouver Animal Blood Services is not responsible for damage or deterioration sustained after the product(s) leave 1590 W. 4th Avenue in Vancouver, and cannot accept blood products for return once they have left the premises.

Billing

VABS will include an invoice with each order. Visa or MasterCard may be used at the time of order or credit card information may be left on file with us. Please contact our staff for more details. If not using a credit card, please remit payment when invoiced.

Product List

(Click on product for product information)
Plasma Fresh Frozen ~120 ml
Plasma Fresh Frozen ~180 ml

Packed Red Blood Cells DEA 1.1+ ~120 ml
Packed Red Blood Cells Universal ~120 ml

Whole Blood ~200ml
Whole Blood ~400ml

VABS Blood Typing In-House

Transfusion Supplies:
Fenwal® Straight Type Blood Set
Hemo-nate® Filter
Hemo-tap® Blood Bag Spike

References

Kidd, Linda, D.V.M. Canine And Feline Transfusion Medicine. Veterinary
Information Network Database. August 14, 2003. Aug 16, 2003. http://www.vin.com/Members/SearchDB/misc/m05000/m03581.htm

(Go to http://www.vin.com/promo/join.htm to sign up for a 30 day free trial of VIN)

Lanevschi A, Wardrop KJ. Principles of transfusion medicine in small animals. Can Vet J Volume 2001; 42:447-454.

Mathews KA. Blood/Plasma Transfusion. In: Mathews, KA ed. Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Manual. Lifelearn 1996; 28: 1-15